An Amazing Journey

As many of you may know, God allowed me to be involved in a water sports ministry for two years in 2005 and 2006. My experiences there helped me to grow in my spiritual walk. Looking back now, I can see right where God had me and why. Many of my stories are accounts of what took place at those events, as they were so life-changing. I am no longer part of that ministry as God has moved me in a new direction. I praise God for the times I had there and love all the people I met. This story originated in Texas. We were working with an extraordinary group of volunteers and a group of kids who were in an emergency shelter. Read my account as it takes you halfway through the season.

The journey this year has been more than amazing. Lots of highs and so many lows. The mountain tops have been high, and the lows have been crushing. Honestly, my life was changed forever in Texas. When I pulled up on the site, I met this kind lady, Terri. I had talked with her many times before via email and phone. She had every detail in order, all the paperwork done, the boats in the water, and volunteers willing to give their entire day for these kids.

I thought to myself, “This is going to be a relaxing day.” Terri even asked me, “What do you want to do, just ride in the boat?” “Sure,” I replied quickly. I needed a break. We were in the midst of many events, and it was so refreshing to see that they had everything planned out. We had a brief meeting with the volunteers. What a wonderful group of people, I thought as I talked. You could tell they were ready to pour out their love to these kids. Skiing was not the focus of the day. It was the kids.

The kids arrived; there were several older teens in the group. So off we went to the boats, allowing most of them to ski. This club really knew what they were doing. At one point, our boat came in, and I got out for a bit. I was just hanging around and talking with the kids. I am always interested in their stories. So, I asked, “What’s your story?” Each time I asked this, I got, as expected, the deepest and most devastating accounts of their lives. Not sure why that was, but it just happened that way.

One girl I talked to told me, “All I want to do is go home; I just want to be with my family.” Her story can never be repeated as she told it. It was horrific to say the least. It was a true picture of the depravity of man. Not all was hopeless, though. She still had dreams and shared a few of them with me. One thing that I noticed was her eyes. As I looked past her pretty, green eyes, I could see the pain I had seen all summer long. It’s in the eyes. I tried not to look, but they kept drawing me in. Please help me, they cried out. I remember praying for her in my heart right where I was standing. After talking to her, I just shook my head in disbelief. I was hurting.

At the end of every event, I was able to talk with the kids about life and God’s love for them. As I was talking to this group of kids under the tent that day, I looked over to my right, and there she was, standing almost up front with me, just staring at me. I don’t think I will ever forget those eyes as I shared the message of the Gospel that day, a message of hope that I knew could change her life. Something was missing, and I knew what it was. It was the love of Christ in her heart. At the end of the day, all of the kids left and took most of their pain with them. I say most of their pain because I took some of it with me.

To remember that year, I reflect on that little girl’s eyes. I learned through this to give less of me and more of the Gospel, more of God’s word, and more of the Love of Christ. This is the true message of hope, not my life experiences, but the life of Christ.

As I gave the invitation, I raised my head, opened my eyes, and I saw those beautiful eyes. I could hear the cries from deep in her soul, and I could feel the pain she had been through. I was not giving up. “Will you come? Will you come?” I cried. All the while knowing I could do nothing. It is all God who gives this hope of life, not me. I wanted to go over and put my arm around her and tell her how much Jesus loved her, but I knew God would speak to her heart. She looked up at me, and our eyes locked again. I told her Jesus loved her and that He could help her deal with all that she was carrying. All I could do was thank God for all He had done.

Over the past two days, we have seen more people come to Christ than ever before. I was asked, “Why do you think that is”? I have so many things going on in my heart right now, so all I can say is less of me and more of God. The power is in the Gospel; the power is in God’s word and not mine. I am dying to myself.

That is where I am at right now. Dying to myself. As I spend more time in those crushing moments, I am learning to deny self and depend on God in every moment. I am also convinced that the human eyes and mind can only take in so much. As I sit here in this airport, I am in tears, reflecting on the last two weeks. Unable to talk about it any longer, but just hoping to write and get it out of my mind.

I am close to collapse as my mind and soul can only take so much of living in a world that is all too familiar to me. The pain and the suffering I take in, not knowing what to do with it. Where can I pass it on? Who can I pass it on to? Will you take it, Lord? Please help me!

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