I arrived at the church on Friday to find out that the number of middle school kids went from 8-9 middle school kids to 15. To say the least, I was a little nervous. Afraid that I wouldn’t be able to connect with such a large group, and that when it came time to give lessons, they wouldn’t listen. When I sat down the first night with them for a lesson, it went how I expected…they listened but we really didn’t connect. I was frustrated with the students that they didn’t want to go deeper in the lesson and started doubting myself. It got to the point where I dreaded doing the lessons with them and I just wanted to stop. When I told Vicki about how I felt discouraged, she told me that it was the enemy trying to make me give up and that she had heard how much fun the kids were having. Then I started thinking of how I was when I was a middle school; A rowdy kid that just wanted to have fun and connect with the leader by seeing how much they cared for me.
That was the plan I set in motion, I was going to show them God’s love by loving on them. After that, we had an amazing weekend! As a group, we became so close and I know we all saw God move! We played capture the flag in the pitch dark, watched movies in a sweet house theater, played pool, played halo (which I tied into a few of my lessons. They loved it!) I also had the pleasure of playing paint ball for the first time, which was super awesome!
At Sunday school this morning, we were all exhausted and ready to go home. Us interns were asked to come up and talk about the weekend and just how we felt it went. I basically told them exactly what I am saying in my post. Then Garrett (the wildest kid there, the one who I had to “battle” with the most) went on stage and just thanked me for the weekend and the awesome experience he had. I was blown away! This started the trend of every group going on stage and thanking us, it just really meant a lot. It confirmed that what I did was pleasing to God and that, even though I didn’t think I connected, I really did and the kids will remember it. Fruit was made from this weekend and I thank all of you for your prayers and encouragement!
(Pictures were taken, but I don’t have them. I will try to add some later.)
Thanks for loving on my son. He loved the weekend and talks about how much he learned from you. Capture the Flag in the dark was a highlight. You did connect and did an awesome job with the boys a weekend they will never forget.
Great answer to prayer. God is faithful and so glad that you didn’t listen to the enemy, but rather kept going. This is God showing all of us that He is always there and we just need to continue to rely on Him.
Thanks for sharing this with us!
Love you!
Goes to prove that God is faithful, Seth.
You were available to Him, others were
praying. God brought the boys that needed to be there, and all received a blessing!
We enjoy hearing from you. Keep “blogging”.
hey Seth, it is always great to check in on your site! It really is amazing how the devil can disguise himself – and you can doubt yourself. God is so much bigger! My family is looking forward to seeing you this weekend at Montvale!
I love this update Seth!
I prayed for you ALL WEEKEND!!
I love how the Lord answers when we ask.
It’s our hope for tomorrow.
I love you,
MOM
Great update Seth! I will be honest, I wish you were back here ministering and teaching my kids. I am so proud and impressed with you and with what you are doing with AIM. I read your posts to my kids and they always ask if “that’s the guy that babysat us in the summer”. I laugh and tell them you are one in the same. They then say…”we didn’t know he was a Christian”. It is amazing what God has done in your life and it is amazing that you proudly and loudly declare your love for Jesus and that you teach others how to look, love and most importantly LIVE like Christians. God Bless You and your team. Keep up the good work Seth!
Its so good to hear how God is working in your life. I wish you luck in all that you do, and That God may continue working in your life.