This is HARD

There is so much I could write about project and what God is doing here, but that would probably fill up 100 blogs, so I've been praying about what God wants me to write in this one. And I feel like He wants all of you readers out there to know about how much suffering there is going on this summer here on the Walt Disney World Summer Project.

A lot of supporters are hesitant when it comes to this project because it's at Disney World. It sounds like a vacation and we get to stay in sunny Florida when others are going to Russia and China and everywhere else around the world to suffer for the sake of Jesus. We don't seem like the missionaries who are suffering for the sake of the Gospel, but WE ARE. Maybe not physically, maybe not as harshly emotionally or spiritually, but there is such great suffering going on down here.

We have had to walk through some really tough stuff together this summer. From emotionally and spiritually unstable students who are going through some rough waters and possibly being kicked out of our housing, to family problems, friends being diagnosed with serious illnesses, and serious financial issues- we have been through so much. This is HARD. I don't think I've ever had to rely on God more except for one time in my life and that's saying something.

God is working in all of our lives, but He's not letting us get off the easy way. He is telling us to suffer and to endure through trials this summer. Our project could have very well been ripped apart by how much stuff is going on. Conflict, trouble, illness, anxiety, and utter God pulling the rug out of from under us stuff has been going on ALL summer. Needless to say, I'm exhausted.

Through all that though, I know our staff team is getting that much closer and our students are getting that much closer. I know that all of this stuff that we're going through together, learning together, and encouraging each other in is creating a bond that nothing could break. We have had to carry each other continuously throughout these past five weeks. Not to mention do what we came here to do- spread the Gospel to the world. We are here to let God work through us to bring the Magic Kingdom into the KINGDOM it truly belongs. We are here to spread the Gospel to the world through a place where the world works.

So, no, our suffering doesn't look like living in a foreign country not having access to clean water or sleeping on the floor of a homeless shelter in downtown New York City. We haven't been personally called to suffer that way in this season of our lives, but we have been called to suffer for the sake of Gospel in pushing through all of the difficult situations that have been thrown at us. Students are fighting day in and day out just to trust God for the strength to get through one more day. These students are getting thrown around down here and so am I, but I know that God is for us. And when God is for us, nothing can get in our way of doing what He has called us to do.

God has huge plans for the Orlando area. If He didn't, Satan wouldn't be trying so hard to keep them from happening. Please keep praying for our students as the staff leave this week and they take hold of the reins. Please pray for them to stay strong and to stand firm in the truths from God they know they can rely on. And if I could- I challenge you to let yourself be silent before God and listen to Him speak to you. Ask Him to reveal to you certain ways you can be praying for our project or for anything else. He will amaze you.

God's promises are true yesterday, today, and tomorrow. I have complete faith that He is going to pull this project through. It's just hard.