The last month I have spent my days pouring out to the community of Houston, but what I have quickly realized is how easy it can be to go through the motions. I spend everyday here handing out food, running kids club, teaching at youth club, playing dominions on Thursdays with the seniors, but if I have not taken the opportunity to share the gospel then I am failing at what God has called me to do. I never want this community to feel like a charity case because they are becoming my people and I love just getting to know their hearts. I never want to be just a place holder to these kids since my time is limited and miss the opportunity to really share the love of Christ with them. No amount of food or small talk is going to share why God has molded me into the person I am today.

My biggest struggle since I have been here is connecting with the teens, because I know they are the hardest one to gain trust. Back home I could connect with a group no problem, but what I realized is I can't live my life thinking I will connect with all teenagers. When we first started youth club I really looked at it as a place where the kids just came to have open gym, but God proved me wrong which I am so grateful. I had stereotyped these teens thinking I would never be able connect with them because they were to rough around the edges for me and assuming they would never give any of us the time of day. The Lord provided a red headed girl from Alabama named McCauli, one of my fellow missionaries who took the leap of faith and really connected to the youth. She followed the Lord's calling and started cracking the walls I thought we would never be able to break.

''Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.'' Philippians 4:4-6

Now we can't stop talking about how something I saw the least potential in and I probably struggle at the most has seen so much potential. He has found a way for us to connect with them and I know it is nothing short of the Lord, but to watch him work through McCauli and burden her heart for these teens, it truly inspires mine. When the verse above says rejoice in the Lord that means on the good and bad days, but especially when you are seeing his work so evident it's hard not to want to cry happy tears.This past week has shown me to not give up on a kid who may seem closed off or rough around the edges because all they really want is someone to show they care. Maybe not in my "I love you" way, but a jokingly manor and I am so blessed that God has equipped us with the right people in our lives to be able to handle our weaknesses to eventually turn those into strengths. All these teenagers really want is that love they are so desperately searching for, but mostly a genuine friendship that may have never had in their lives. God is at work in Gano and there are so many stories I could share.Ultimately though, I feel like realizing just because I'm a white girl in a very diverse world does not mean I need to start putting up my walls, but yet take that trust in the Lord that I peach so much to this community about. I know the Lord has called me to be willing to be broken in prayer for these kids and listen being able to listen. I may not be called to big part our teens lives, but that does not mean I can't bath every second of our youth club in prayer.

I pray Lord that Monday several of the youth show up and help McCauli do yard work because that would show how faithful you truly are. Hopefully she gets the opportunity to share the love of Christ while trimming a few trees. I pray that Thursday our movie night with them will be more than just a social hour, but a time to really get to know their hearts and to share ours. I pray that several of them also come volunteer at kids club on Wednesday because who is a better role model for our kids than those who have already gone through the program. I pray that these youth on Gano street get the respect that they need from me and I get the same from them. We only have six more youth clubs which isn't nearly enough time, but I know it is enough time for our Lord to create a foundation and move mountains. Let us be able to leave an everlasting impact.