Provisions

Its only Tuesday, and I have already experienced and am encouraged by God's abundant provision for me this week. I have recovered and am feeling much better after my near 4-day stomach virus from last week.

This week, all three of my groups are beginning the Bible study we will be doing over the next semester. Thanks to Ms. Kim Campbell, I brought a few workbooks and studies that might have been possibilities for us to do. The one we chose is called True or False by Josh McDowell. The study talks about the big truths about God, and helps us recognize the lies that the world would rather us believe. A lot of the kids that come through Eagles' Wings know very little or nothing about the Bible. I am really excited about going through this study as it lays a foundation about God and how we can have a relationship with Him.

Yesterday, as I was preparing for my first group of the week, I was trying to find supplies I would need for an activity that relates to the lesson about being made in the image of God. The activity instructed us to go outside on a sunny day and trace our shadows on a large piece of paper. I had two problems, one, it wasn't a sunny day (and it actually snowed some), and two I did not have a big roll of paper. As I was brainstorming how to tweak the activity, we found a large tab of  paper that has just been waiting for someone to use! It would work without a shadow by having the girls lay down on the paper and trace each other.

I pick up the girls from school everyday that we have our group meetings. We then go to the church or go to the park for our group time. We made homemade pizza yesterday, talked about our lesson, and the activity was a success to help us understand that like the outline of ourselves portrays our image, as God tells us in Genesis 1:26, so are we made in the likeness and the image of God.

I took all the girls home and had a good conversation with one of the girls about what it means to have a relationship with God. I was a little worried about the weather, but my whole ride back, God cleared the skies, and I didn't end up having to drive back to the ranch in snow! God provided much for me yesterday- He does everyday! I was reminded and encouraged of His promises that He is always with us and makes a way to accomplish His purposes!

A week of (not so good) surprises...

This week was supposed to be my first full week of meeting with my three groups of girls that I am working with so far. The days I will be meeting with them are Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday afternoons. Since Monday was MLK day, I called that morning to make sure everyone was still planning to meet that day. I found out that one of the girls would be in Albuquerque and unable to meet with us. I set out that afternoon to pick up the 2 other girls from school, and their mother called to tell me they were in Albuquerque also and wouldn't be back in time. All that to say, we didn't end up meeting on Monday.

I met with my second group on Tuesday, but one of the girls was sick that day, so unfortunately she was unable to join us. The two other girls and I went to the park and did some activities and discussed some things that we will be talking about and studying over this semester. This week and last week, we have just begun to get to know each other and build relationships. I came up with a survey that would help me get to know each girl, and give me an idea of some things they may want to learn and do during my time here. 

Wednesday I woke up with a stomach virus that has been going around here at the ranch! I stayed in the bed all day trying to recover so that I could continue my work for the week. Thankfully, Wednesday is one of my days off, so I did not miss anything, except for a trip to Albuquerque that I was going to take. I am feeling better today, so I am planning to still get together with my group this afternoon.

With all this going on, it is easy to have some discouraging thoughts. Pray against the devil's lies and schemes that he plots against me here. Pray that schedules would run smoothly as we prepare to meet with these youth. Continue to pray for the girls I am working with, that they would have open hearts and minds to the Lord!

Greetings from New Mexico!

Hello friends!

I made it to New Mexico on January 3rd, now this is home for me for the next 5 months! I have been here for almost 2 weeks now, and have been getting oriented to my new life here and all I will be doing.

I am serving as a semester missionary through the North American Mission Board with Eagles' Wings Youth Ranch. The ranch is located in Mountainair, NM, which is about an hour and a half southeast of Albuquerque. The organization began in 1992 by Albert and Dianne Hagan who had a desire to meet the needs of disadvantaged and at-risk youth through an early intervention and prevention camp and follow up program.

Every summer, Eagles' Wings provides a 5-day camp for youth ages 10-12, hosting 12 youth per week. Campers participate in a wide range of activities, from horseback riding, archery, and swimming, to one-to-one time with volunteer staff or mentors. Here, they are able to build relationships with each other, the staff, and with God. When campers leave from their week at camp, their relationship with Eagles' Wings does not end there. They are able to maintain relationship through reunion camps, festivals, small groups, and follow-up.

That is my role, to follow-up with girls that have been to camp before. This week, I began meeting with some of the girls I will get to know this semester. So far, we have established 3 small groups with which I will be working to build relationships, invest in, and share Christ with these girls. I will be serving with Preston Fowler, another semester missionary from Georgia, who will be working with the boys that have come through Eagles' Wings.

Unfortunately, during most of our time here, the Hagans will not be with us. Mr. Albert is currently receiving cancer treatments in Houston, TX at MD Anderson Cancer Center. As they are gone, Todd Sledge, the assistant manager, will be our supervisor and leader. We have already been so blessed by Todd and his wife, Jennifer, who are leading and providing much for us as we are here to serve with Eagles' Wings.

Now for prayer requests :).
Please keep the Hagans in your prayers as they are fighting against Mr. Albert's cancer.
Pray for the youth that we will be meeting with, that their hearts and minds will be open to building relationships with us, and most importantly, to the Gospel.
Pray for wisdom and guidance in our preparations for meeting with the youth each week, and for activities and events we will do with them.
Pray for strength and endurance as I am away from home, and already miss the South a bit ;).
Please also pray for Todd and Jennifer and their family, as they lead us in our time here.