real live missionaries ...?

See, I didn't consider this a mission trip at all. #1 I'm getting paid. #2 it's in the USA for crying out loud. #3, Missions is 101 ways you realize exactly how much you lack. Working as a camp counselor is one of my top ten ways to get my ego stroked. These kids have star struckedness all over their faces from the second we leaders walk in the room till the second we walk out.
However, the sunday school leader (yes the same one who needed steel-toed boots) confessed at one point in her lesson that she had asked for extra prayer. "I jest had chill-bubs (goosebumps)all over my arms when Pastor announced I'd have real live missionaries in class on Sunday. I mean, who am I to teach THEM anything?" She was referring to camp staff. We all looked at each other like, 'what?'
"Oh don't act so surprised. I mean several of ya'll are in SEMINARY, right?" Anna and I nodded, guilty of the charges, but still didn't see any need to be intimidated.

Out of a cabin of seven girls, ONE knew the story of Esther.
In my cabin of six, none knew the story of Ruth.
Most kids can't tell me the difference between the Old and New Testament. However one little boy explained it this way for me this morning:
"You know. The New Testament is in the Bible, and the Old Testament... is.. well... the other one."

When we tell the kids they must ALL participate or else in the games, at least a handful won't, just because they 'don't wanna.' We tell them their whole group will get punished and they shrug. Doesn't matter. They 'jest don't wanna.' My brain fills with long rants about how our culture has gone down the tubes into individualism and selfishness but I'll spare you at this moment.

So anyways, all that to say that while I still am getting paid and my ego stroked and don't get a stamp in my passport, I'm definately seeing huge needs here in the States. Not that I didn't before, but my brain is wrapping itself around the concept more and more. Kids don't know the difference between the Old and New TEstament. They just know there's "The Bible." HELP!

I still feel called overseas, but I also see huge needs here. So I'm praying about how God wants to use my passion for various cultures, gifts with languages, and skills in making things cross-culturally relevant alongside my burden for my own country.

One more day of camp here, then on Saturday four of us are going to run the 5K (3.1 mile) race with the town and Church. Hehe. Have never run in this kind of race before, although the pastor assures us that we can walk as well as run. Anna and I have been jogging and stretching every night since we signed up. The Pastor wants us to try and come in second place, however I hardly think three days of light jogging and stretching will do much to bring that goal into existance. :-)

~PrincessOuch~