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.)