Lions Aren't So Scary

I cannot believe I have been in Ireland almost 2 weeks! Honestly, at the moment, I cannot even begin to think about going home. I miss home, sure, but I absolutely love this place and these people. They're amazing. The week we did 2 VBS camps, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. It was exhausting but Gwen, Tom, Heather, Paul, Kieran, James, Dan, Andy, Suzanne, Aisling, Ailish, and everyone else who ran them were just amazing. I loved being with the kids, loving on them, and sharing Jesus with them, but to be honest, it was serving alongside the youth and other church members that I loved the most. God really worked this week I think.

I did come to be painfully aware of something, though. Satan really doesn't want us here. He really doesn't want us loving on these kids and sharing the gospel with them. 1 Peter 5:8 says, "Be sober-minded, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." Well, that's... terrifying. Or at least, it would be if it weren't for the promises of God that He will never leave or forsake us, that He fights for us. I really had to rely on those promises this week. I had a hard couple days. Satan was definitely prowling. He was trying to devour. I was tired, my inner introvert was screaming at me, and I was still in recovery from bronchitis. He started messing with my insecurities and weaknesses. But, y'all, we serve a faithful, sovereign God. He brought me back to these promises and He brought some great people into my life to love, encourage, and build me up. And the week went out with a bang! Friday evening we had youth club. We decided to grill hot dogs, make s'mores, and play baseball to celebrate the 4th of July. So fun. During out meeting time I shared my testimony and was very blessed by how it seemed to be received. After we were done everyone just hung out enjoying an impromptu jam session, laughter, and fellowship. All of this led up to the entire youth group in the church kitchen helping us clean up at 11pm and spontaneously busting out into Father Abraham. It was like a Christian, preschool rave, just with no crazy lights and such and older kids! :-)

You know, roaring lions sound pretty scary, but it turns out that this one at least is a lot of noise. He can bite and maul, sure but I have the Holy One of Israel, my Savior to protect me and the Great Physician to heal me. Lions just aren't that scary.