(5) Let the little children come..

Hello!

Although I meant for the photos to be after the writing, the computer wouldnt allow it. So here are my photos from the last 2 weeks :) The Interns before Cirque Du Soleil

Dinner with the Youth Pastor of First Church


Day at Rocky Neck Beach with the gang

"The Book Barn" in Niantic

Elizabeth Park during Rose Weekend for Kelseys birthday

Kelseys Birthday Dinner!

Matching Intern Bracelets :)

The kids.....

Cara talking to Rekaya on stage

Dinner at the Wilhites

Taking my "tough guys" out for ice cream :)

Today we completed our second full week of Camp Noah!

I can't get over how fast the time is flying. To keep my rambling to a minimum I've listed off the main highlights of the past two weeks:

• Completed planning and preparation for Camp
• Started and completed the first two weeks of Camp Noah!
• Received free tickets to see the premier of Cirque Du Soleil!
• Kelsey turned 21!
• Rocky Neck Beach with the interns and our housemates
• The Book Barn in Niantic - (highly recommended!)
• Kyle and I cooked community dinner - Chicken Parmesan for 10 -My first time cooking!
• Received my first prophetic words at Wellspring Church
• Fell in love with 40 kids

It's been birthday madness over here lately, with celebrating Harmony's birthday and then having a weekend long celebration for Kelsey turning 21. Needless to say, some serious bonding has taken place between the interns and our other housemates Josh, Harmony and Rex. Who would have thought that a group of people would get along so well, so fast. We have all enjoyed watching our "alternate egos" come out during Camp as we take on leadership and disciplinary roles while acting like complete fools to keep the kids interest.

Our day starts at 9 with devotions. We then break up and work on our specific roles for Camp. We meet the kids at a playground in Keney Park at 1:00 and walk over to Glory Chapel where Hartford City Mission has rented a large room. We start the kids off with some songs and free dance time to get some energy out ( you'd be surprised how good a 6 year old can break dance..) Then we jump into a short Bible lesson. The kids then go around to different stations such as Crafts, Snack, Games and Music. We have about 40 kids, which is a great blessing. We've split them into 4 teams with an Intern leading each team. We have each been assigned a "Street Leader" to our groups to help keep the kids under control. The Street Leaders are High Schoolers from the North End who attend the christian youth ministry called Young Life.

The kids are all absolutely amazing. I have such love for each and every one of them. I worked with a few of the kids during this past year at an after school program through the same ministry, so it has been such a pleasure seeing familiar faces and feeling like I have already gained respect and love from them. I realize now why the Lord brought me to the after school program before I became an Intern. In this past year I have learned how to be patient and gentle, and as a summer camp Intern, if you dont have those two charecteristics you are doomed. I have learned how to pick and choose my battles, which is very important. It is impossible to battle the kids all the time. You will lose. It is best just to love them and give in to their attention seeking cries.

I have discovered what I enjoy the most about working with these children. I have a wonderful group of 9 and 10 year olds. I specifically wanted to work with this group because a few of the boys have the hardest shells to crack. They are mostly reserved and often angry. They sulk and hit, and rarely want to participate. I got a chance to work with some of these kids this past year when I taught them art. During that time I realized that when they began to draw or paint they would relax, and took their work very seriously. I knew they had gentle souls deep down and just need the right love to bring it out.

I am so happy to say that in the past two weeks I feel like their shells have cracked and they feel a new comfort with me. When I look over while we are singing a song and I see one of those boys following along with the hand motions my heart smiles. When the person up front asks a question about the bible lesson and I see them raise their hands into air I beam with gladness. When I see their serious faces working hard on a craft, or earning their 10 fake dollars for memorizing the weekly bible verse I melt. It is in these times that I see them actually acting like the children they are. Smiling and laughing like a child would. In that moment, everything is how it should be. That is my favorite part.

I am learning so much here, soaking it all in. Seeking God in new ways, and seeing His face in the eyes of children. Sometimes I feel as If the summer camp is really for the Interns, and the kids are our leaders. They are far better teachers than we could ever be.

In Christ,

Cheryl

A more spiritual update coming soon...

(4) John 18:36

"A not so typical Sunday."

We visited Glory Chapel for worship this past Sunday. I didn't know what to expect but I was excited for the experience. And an experience it was. I have never felt so genuinely welcomed by people I didn't know. They were truly happy we were there - well, that and the fact that they simply were just truly happy people. The diversity in that chapel was amazing. So many races under one roof praising the same God.. it would give anyone chills. The worship began and I was in awe. I felt like a spectator at a show, except these people weren't acting. They sang, they danced, they clapped, they shouted. I could feel the trembling under my feet as the building shook from people praising the Lord. The sound was massive. Kids running around, people trying to converse as they strolled in. The choir fanning themselves with their worship bulletins. An abundance of grace had truly been poured out upon this building and its congregation. The people of Glory Chapel knew what it meant to be saved. They have been given a second chance and were literally running and dancing with it. No one could take it away from them now. ( The church was founded be a former drug addict who became saved. The majority of the men and woman that attend have had previous drug addictions and are now working to help community.) As we sang the men waved their white handkerchiefs and the woman swung about their scarves. People all over had brought their own tambourines and were clanging along. Time meant nothing to them as they worshiped, in fact one of the elders came up to the podium to do the announcements and ended up expressing how much he loved the previous song, so he called on the choir and pianist to start it up again so we could worship some more. A woman in the front started dancing all around, and as the choir came to the end of the song she dropped to the floor and began to shout. "I thank you!" she cried to the Lord. "I am your servant! I thank you for being a forgiving father," she screamed as she lay on the floor. It was quite a moving moment.

You know how you sometimes applaud after singing a song at church? Well, I suppose I always thought it was for the band or the worship leader. At Glory Chapel I learned of a whole new way to applaud. They weren't clapping for the amazing choir, or the drummer or the talented pianist. They were clapping for Jesus. At one point we started applauding and just didn't stop. It just went on and on, like a never ending applause. This applause was like no other. Faces were turned up to heaven, eyes shut tight, speaking loudly to God and thanking Him. That was one of my favorite moments that day, applauding as if a band had just finished the last song of a concert and we were waiting for an encore. That's what experiencing grace is.

Here's some photos of my past days, enjoy!

In Christ,
Cheryl