Hey Everyone,
Thanks for the prayers with the infected foot, it's all good now!
I can't believe that the summer journey is finally coming to an end. It has been a challenging, rewarding, and growing experience. I know that God called me to Harmons although there many times that I wondered whether it was so. It was nothing like what I expected-- I can't really put in to words how it was different but I know I could never have imagined it being like this.
This week has been a combination of saying goodbyes, cleaning up around the house, and debriefing with the staff to prepare mentally, emotionally and spiritually for going home. Tonight we served dinner to the 40-some Jamaican staff that we employ throughout the summer. From the house crews to the cleaning ladies to the cooks, they all piled in for a delicious meal and some great fellowship. It was really cool to see them all together but tonight was the first time I really realized that goodbyes were in order-- some of them I will not see again before I leave.
I know now that Harmons will never be an experience that I had that I learned from and moved on. Harmons is a part of me. The people here have had such in impact on my life that I can't imagine just continuing on with life. Harmons will, God willing, be a place that I keep returning to as often as possible. To serve those in need, yes; to spread Christ's love, yes; but also because I have friends here that I will never forget about.
We fly home Friday but it's not goodbye, it's see ya later.
Thanks to everyone for your prayers and support. I'd love to talk with anyone about my experiences, but have patience because words can explain only so much.
In Him,
AdamE
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Loving the person or the blessing?
Hey everyone,
Well, the infections are healing up but my right ankle is still pretty swollen. So I've still been a bit laid up around the house and I'm itching to get back to mauling harl and mixing concrete.
Just some food for thought today since I haven't done much that is worth blogging about. The other day I was walking on the street and a few kids that I had never met came up to me to ask/beg me for things. Obviously a big part of our ministry is giving to those in need but as the summer has gone on it has gotten more and more difficult for me to bear with all the begging each day. The worst is when you can tell that they look at you merely as a dollar sign rather than a person who desires to build a relationship with them. So as I was walking a bit frustrated by the encounter, it all of a sudden hit me that I do exactly the same thing.
Often I talk with God because I need/want things. Now of course our heavenly father loves to lavish gifts upon us but what is it that he really wants us to be satisfied with? HIM. I felt so convicted about how often I'm only satisfied with the blessings of God rather with the person of God. And I think it reveals that fatal flaw that we all have-- that I'm more in love with myself and meeting my own desires than I am in love with God. I am just like those kids sometimes that don't care about building a relationship, they just want to use me for what I can give them.
I can't believe it took me all summer to realize this but I thought it was worth sharing.
Only 8 more days, such a bittersweet end to the summer.
Much love,
AdamE
Well, the infections are healing up but my right ankle is still pretty swollen. So I've still been a bit laid up around the house and I'm itching to get back to mauling harl and mixing concrete.
Just some food for thought today since I haven't done much that is worth blogging about. The other day I was walking on the street and a few kids that I had never met came up to me to ask/beg me for things. Obviously a big part of our ministry is giving to those in need but as the summer has gone on it has gotten more and more difficult for me to bear with all the begging each day. The worst is when you can tell that they look at you merely as a dollar sign rather than a person who desires to build a relationship with them. So as I was walking a bit frustrated by the encounter, it all of a sudden hit me that I do exactly the same thing.
Often I talk with God because I need/want things. Now of course our heavenly father loves to lavish gifts upon us but what is it that he really wants us to be satisfied with? HIM. I felt so convicted about how often I'm only satisfied with the blessings of God rather with the person of God. And I think it reveals that fatal flaw that we all have-- that I'm more in love with myself and meeting my own desires than I am in love with God. I am just like those kids sometimes that don't care about building a relationship, they just want to use me for what I can give them.
I can't believe it took me all summer to realize this but I thought it was worth sharing.
Only 8 more days, such a bittersweet end to the summer.
Much love,
AdamE
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Forced to slow down
Hey everyone!
Our final group of the summer is here and it's the church that my mom works at-- Mecklenburg Community Church. It is the smallest group of the summer (16) so it has been extremely different but also a lot less stressful. Learning 16 names is much easier than learning 51 names.
The beginning of this week has started off a little differently than usual because I haven't been able to go to any worksites with the teams. I've been fighting some infections on the tops of my feet and can't do much of anything right now. It seems that my feet are healing though so hopefully I can be back on the sites tomorrow or Thursday.
As annoying as it has been to not be able to haul marl, mix concrete and other fun activities (I actually enjoy them), my wounds have forced me to slow down a little bit and hang out with some of my Jamaican friends. Also, yesterday I went into Mandeville (the closest large town) with my boss Josh to buy a bunch of supplies. It was a neat opportunity because usually there are a million people clamoring for Josh's attention so it was cool to get to talk with him one on one without interruption. I got to hear more about his heart for ministry in Harmons and tell him about how my summer has been and what I'm thinking about my future.
Today was a pretty relaxing day. I spent a lot of it in the house preparing for devotions for the week, I hung out with my mento for a little bit and now hopefully I'm going to have bible study with a friend if he shows up.
Thats all for now!
Much love,
AdamE
Our final group of the summer is here and it's the church that my mom works at-- Mecklenburg Community Church. It is the smallest group of the summer (16) so it has been extremely different but also a lot less stressful. Learning 16 names is much easier than learning 51 names.
The beginning of this week has started off a little differently than usual because I haven't been able to go to any worksites with the teams. I've been fighting some infections on the tops of my feet and can't do much of anything right now. It seems that my feet are healing though so hopefully I can be back on the sites tomorrow or Thursday.
As annoying as it has been to not be able to haul marl, mix concrete and other fun activities (I actually enjoy them), my wounds have forced me to slow down a little bit and hang out with some of my Jamaican friends. Also, yesterday I went into Mandeville (the closest large town) with my boss Josh to buy a bunch of supplies. It was a neat opportunity because usually there are a million people clamoring for Josh's attention so it was cool to get to talk with him one on one without interruption. I got to hear more about his heart for ministry in Harmons and tell him about how my summer has been and what I'm thinking about my future.
Today was a pretty relaxing day. I spent a lot of it in the house preparing for devotions for the week, I hung out with my mento for a little bit and now hopefully I'm going to have bible study with a friend if he shows up.
Thats all for now!
Much love,
AdamE
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