Seriously though, having this mindset saved me some hard times last summer. You see, I was able to pursue discipleship over the summer from another awesome guy in Real Church, and he coached me through some weird times. He was able to give me the Godly wisdom I needed to not only get through summer with my head, but to grow as I went. I also sought out my Dad on more then one occasion to see what his thoughts were, and I also went to other leaders and people I respected.

Discipleship is something I have learned a lot about here in Xmin, and to be honest, I will never graduate being a disciple. As Christians, and Xmin, we can never stop learning from those who are older and wiser than we are. It is like I have said before, “Just when you think you know everything, you find out you know nothing.” It is mind blowing to think that old people are here for more then just smelling funny and not noticing when they fart or something. Yes folks, old people, your grandma and grandpa, have wisdom that you need!

I will say it just one last time in closing to all of you reading this… Never stop learning and growing, because you will never know all there is to know about the God we serve, so why would you stop learning?

Honestly, I could write a short novel with a list of things you should do over the summer and an even larger list of things you shouldn’t. But I think you know the basics of how to get through the summer. One thing I would tell you is to remember your Constant.

Going home after 8 months in Xmin is going to be a culture shock, there’s no doubt about that. Even in the first week, your head will spin from all the changes in your surroundings, which is why it is so important to keep your focus on the one thing that has not changed in the slightest in those 8 months–Jesus, or as I like to call him, My Constant.

The hardest thing I think for me last year was coming home and finding that while I had been changing in Xmin, so had all of my friends. For some reason, in my subconscious, I thought that all my friends would be right where I left them at the start of Xmin. Boy was I wrong! The truth is, in life there is no such thing as standing still. Everyone moves. They may go forward or backward, but they won’t stay where you leave them. While you are living and breathing and changing, so are billions of other people.

As dizzying as it is to all of a sudden be swallowed in a sea of changed people, it is far worse when you forget your Constant. I should know. =/ Something I had to learn the hard way, is that people just simply are not constant. They change and morph daily, so if you are going to regain composure, you will need to balance yourself off of something more steady. If you go back looking for that one person you can rely on to not have changed while you were gone, you will become all the more dizzy. Grab hold of Jesus! He is the rock that cannot be moved.

For example, I get the opportunity to love these two little kids every Wednesday night and Sunday afternoon. They’re interesting kids as they are always happy and cheerful before and after service. During service however is when their true colors shine. Never being in kids ministry before, or having little siblings, I’ve never had a kid tell me no and just disrespect me. I was at lost at what to do, or even how to love the junk out of them. But after praying for these kids for months, breakthrough and impact seemed to be at hand! Simple phrases and actions made the difference, such as: “I love you”, “God says you’re beautiful”, just sitting with them when they are upset (and not opening my mouth), etc. Its pretty sweet to think I get the opportunity to make an impact on someone’s life by loving them the way God would love them, the way He loves me even! Yeah, they aren’t perfect. But I love them anyways!

For your mighty strength always lifts me out.

My Lord is in control; my foundation legit.

Your goodness is the reason that I sing to you alone!

May praise always leave my mouth in the morning,

and thanksgiving always flow out at night.

For you are my Jesus, my Jesus who is great!

Your greatness knows no bounds!

I will lift your cross up high!

I will honor you with all that I am,

may I lose control so You can reign!

Father! Your embrace is enough for me!

It satisfies just like your unfailing love!

And like a child cuddling to be evermore near.

I long to be in your presence forever.

Oh High King, your majesty is simply beautiful!

throwing away the trust I have in myself

for I desire to see Your Kingdom come!

Okay, seriously. June means you will be officially finished with your first year, and while it may seem like it’s just another step and you’re gonna be just fine, I still want to encourage you because I love you!

Make Jesus your priority.
Don’t miss any days with Jesus, no matter the cost.
Write out guidelines for the summer. And share it with someone!
Keep learning! The moment you stop growing, you’re in danger.
Keep memorizing Scripture and filtering God’s word into your heart daily.
Remember there’s a heart in your chest that’s meant to love on people.
This summer is not about showing off how much you’ve learned/changed – it’s about being the change wherever you’re called next!
Look for the good in others, always, and put them first!

Take what you’ve learned in Xmin and apply it – don’t let yourselves get lazy. Reality is gonna be a hard hit when you go home, so keep your hearts guarded (Philippians 4:6-9) and don’t ever settle for less than excellence! You’re all amazing, and now that you’re “ruined for normal,” there are no excuses!

So a missionary is, “someone called by God and selected by the church to cross socio/cultural and/or geographical boundaries to present the claims of Christ to the unsaved through word and deed, to plant churches, and to train their leaders.”

You might be wondering why I chose to start this blog with a couple of long definitions about missions and the truth is because I just really love missions and the exciting adventures that they entail. It’s really all a bit crazy if you ask me. It’s nothing for the normal, boring, or just plain lame person. You give up everything you’ve ever known to go somewhere where you’ve never lived to do something that most people are afraid to do.

Why? Why do this? Why would anyone ever want to step out on a limb and take a chance like that with their life? The answer I’ve learned is ridiculously simple. It’s because Jesus did it. That’s why he came to earth. If you think about it He was the greatest missionary to ever even exist. He came all the way from heaven to serve others and become known. His word says in Mark 10:45 “even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” He had a mission when He came, to save and to serve.

So why do we do missions? Sure it’s great that Jesus did it but why should I? Those are both valid questions and the answer is because we should live our lives just like Jesus did. In 1 John 2:6 it says, ” those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.” His word tells us to! That’s why!

I hope that by reading this blog something sparked up inside of you to take the next step in your relationship with God. Another reason why I love missions is that it doesn’t have to start in some crazy far away country, it can start where your at. In your school, neighborhood, or workplace you can be apart of something so much bigger than yourself and begin to live the life you were meant to live.

Early in the year my Grandpa Roy passed away. My brother and I went home for the funeral. Even though it was a time of mourning, there was also hope for life, that is life with Jesus. On that side of the family, there are not many people living for God, but how my Grandpa lived his life was a testimony to them. My brother gave a chance for people to receive Christ at the funeral and I believe that even though some did not choose it that day, that God was working in hearts. I love my family and I am praying that they would come to know Jesus.

Another thing God has done this year is changed some of my own family member’s view on this program. My parents and grandparents came this spring to visit my brother and me. They didn’t understand the reason my brother and I came here, they knew it was good for us but they didn’t understand why things were the way there were. But when they came, they got to experience and see what we do in the program and for ministry. Now they can see how we are serving God and how He is changing us and those who live here. It was just awesome how God could change their perspective. I am very thankful for that.

Some other things I am thankful for that God has given me here is an awesome group of friends! I have so many people I can talk to about God and everything else! I have learned from them and have gotten to see how God has been working in their lives. I also have great mentors that have guided me and taught me so much. They are great examples of living for Christ. So, THANK YOU mentors and friends for all the time you have invested in me and my fellow first years. I really appreciate it.

The last thing that I am going to share that has happened is that I am actually living for God! I gave my heart to Him when I was young, but I wan’t living for Him for a long time. It is awesome to actually have a relationship with Him and to see the ways He is showing more in my life. The way I see people and situations have changed. I am just so excited to see what God can do and not seeing what I can do.

God is so good and faithful, I am learning that in many ways. As my first year in Xmin is coming to the end, I am excited to see what God has for my life as I go onto the next chapter!

1.) Have prayer and devotions every day. No excuses. No postponing it. First, even if that means you have to wake up at 5 in the morning and go to bed at 11 pm every night. It’s worth it.

2.) Find a mentor. Whether that means a former youth pastor, other pastor, or just an adult or parent in your church that has a stronger relationship with God than you do. Meet with them once a week or once every two weeks and have questions ready. Ask them tough questions and share your heart with them. You’d be surprised how much they are willing to share and teach.

3.) Get plugged in somewhere. You have to serve in a ministry capacity. Working all the time will kill you. You were created for  ministry so find kids, junior highers, or high schoolers you can pour into and disciple on a weekly basis. There is no delegating discipleship, and you will become disillusioned with ministry if you stop giving your all to it.

4.) Choose friends wisely. You will find you cannot have the same friends you once had. You may go home to find out you only have one friend who has the same life goals that you now do. Maybe you’ll find none and have to make new friends in Junior High that you  can share your vision and life with. You can’t expect life to be the same as it was before Xmin because you are a different person and so is everyone you once knew. Things are different, don’t change so you can pretend they aren’t

5.) Stay connected to where you’re called. Listen to podcasts. Text people still here in Detroit. Don’t let the communication fall through. You know you will be back so you want everyone back here to stay updated on how you are growing–plus it keeps you accountable too.

6.) If God has called you somewhere else, then be the most radical one there. Be the one who serves the most. Loves the mosts, and thinks about themselves the least. The first four still apply to you, so don’t go back to what you were. God called you here for a season for a reason. (Rhyme…ha) Be true to who you are in Christ no matter where God calls you to.

I love you all and hope God calls you back. If not, remember Acts 20:24: But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus. The work of telling others the good news about the wonderful grace of God.

You need only know one thing about the Father: His love.

His love is capable. It crosses over cultural, racial, and social barriers.

His love is creative. It shows itself to each and every individual in a personal way.

His love is communicated. It can be ignored but never erased.

His love is conscious. It sees the dirt and grime–the heartache and its cause.

His love is conquering. It can handle the messes you fall into by accident and the messes you yourself create.

His love is caring. It wants to handle the messes.

His love is concrete. It won’t be shook or loosed by anything including you.

His love is consistent. It is not dependent on you and your actions.

His love is capital. Life is meaningless without it!

That is His love.

This love is not in spite of or in response to we who receive it, rather, it is internal. It’s who He is–The Father IS love!