GUATEMALA HERE WE COME!

As the Resident Director one of my jobs this year has been to organize and plan our mission trip to Guatemala. This has been a great, but challenging experience for me. I have never been on a mission trip, yet alone organize one. Administrative work has never been a strong suit of mine and this process has put that to the test. From making sure everyone has their passport, to organizing fundraisers, booking plane tickets, and setting up what we will be doing in Guatemala. At times this process has been frustrating to me because somethings are out of my control. I could not force every student to get their passport as early as I wanted, or control how many people came to our fundraisers. There have been times I have been discouraged because it just did not seem the trip was coming together, at least not how I wanted. I have been grateful for this opportunity though. The planning of this trip has helped me grow in my administration and organizational skills, but more importantly this has reminded me that I just need to trust God and know that he will come through like he always does. A verse I have been holding onto recently is Proverbs 16:3, which states, “Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.” I have had to remind myself multiple times through this process that God is in control and everything will work out. Currently we are just over two weeks away from leaving and everything has fallen into place. I could not be more excited about our trip!

STAYING ON THE TABLE

Much of this year we have used two different analogies to describe the process of growth the Emerge students are going through. One of which is staying on the operating table while God does his work. Often when we are in a period of growth the process can be frustrating and it can be very tempting to try and stop the process early. However, it is critical in our relationship with God that we allow him to finish the work he has started. I know for me although my periods of growth in my life have had their painful moments, I am grateful that God grew me and continues to grow me. Paul wrote to the Philippians “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” Next time you find God growing and working on you allow him to complete it, and stay on the table!

“DOING LIFE” IN THE DORM

Dorm life is my favorite part of Emerge. I love the late night conversations, the spontaneous movie nights and the constant laughter. The beloved common room is where our eleven separate lives all seem to collide. There is truly never a dull moment. Before coming to Emerge I had no biological sisters. While I still don’t, I certainly have gained 10 sister-like friends. I have created a special bond with each of them and it’s hard to imagine my Emerge journey without them in it. The first time I ever heard the phrase “We get to do life together” was at Destiny Worship Center. What once was a foreign phrase, I now understand completely. “To do life together” means that you’re walking through life (its good times and bad times) with other people who are striving to love the Lord and honor Him just like you. You get to enjoy things and learn things with people who love you. I don’t just live in a house with 10 other girls, I have the privilege to do life with them. As Emerge comes to an all too soon end I know that being separated from them will be the hardest goodbye. I look forward to watching God work through these special relationships I’ve made over the past 6 months. I am thankful for this season of “doing life with” my sweet Emerge sisters.

PRACTICUM SEASON

We have now begun the practicum part of our journey. It is exciting to “emerge” into ministries that we love and have a passion to grow in! Everyone’s practicum looks a little different, so it’s been fun to watch how God makes everything wok together. For example, I know I want a future in international and local missions, and while I would love to spend 6 hours a day in another country that just isn’t practical. So, I’m learning practical administration and communication skills in the Emerge Ministry, while also helping to do some recruiting for next year. I am working with Robert, the residential director, on organization and fundraising for our trip to Guatemala. I’m also working on a local outreach project. The project isn’t until late summer so I have the opportunity to learn about the planning stages. The outreach is the biggest that the church does and I can’t wait to see it all come together.

EMERGE TOUR

This past week I had the opportunity to go on the Emerge Tour to Gainesville, Georgia. Emerge takes a few trips each year to youth groups, conferences, and FCA events to promote the program and recruit future students. This trip was very special to me for two reasons. One, I am proudly from the northeast Georgia region, so I had the opportunity to visit with my sweet family and friends. Two, last year I heard about Emerge Leadership Academy when last years team came to my high school. 

At the time I had no idea how big of an impact Emerge would have on my life. While on the Emerge tour I spoke with many students who were in the exact same place I was last year. They know God has something special for them. They believe that there is a specific calling on their life that only they, through God, can fulfill. However, they are unsure of the next step and may even be discouraged that God will not provide them with what they need to fulfill their calling. Those were my thoughts last year. I couldn’t see beyond my personal agenda. My future was uncertain and I was worried. 

I’m so thankful for a faithful God who provides us with exactly what we need. What I needed was clarity on who I was in Christ, an opportunity to deeper develop my character, and an opportunity to hear from God as He directed my next step in life. I found these things, and so much more, at Emerge.

It was an amazing opportunity to go on the Emerge tour, because I got to brag on the Great God that I serve and what He had done in my life through Emerge Leadership Academy.