They packed up their bags, swept the floors, and loaded the uhaul this morning. I stood on the steps leading to the driveway waving my third group of the summer goodbye and praying for safe travels back to Georgetown Kentucky. Here are some memories from the week:
Capital Area Food Bank: At this site we packaged over 600 boxes of food. There were canned goods, boxed goods, & bags of oatmeal. My group really thrived off of the hard and fast-pace labor.
Lincoln Memorial: I have brought groups here before, but this time I actually went all the way up the steps to look at Abraham Lincoln. The marble statue was breath-taking. Two of my younger students asked me to take pictures of them doing hand stands. They were too cute. Their joy was contagious.
IJM: Going on a tour at International Justice Mission was captivating. The entire tour, my group was silent and attentive to all the sex and labor trafficking cases that are being handled by IJM. We learned that seeking justice for those being trafficked is one of the many ways God calls His people to love and serve.
No Left Turns: Driving in Washington D.C. is rough. Real rough. Every intersection can best be described as roads throwing up on each other, and the lights are no better with their hanging signs that delineate when turning left is allowed. One morning during rush hour, the do-not-turn-left sign was on, but at this point, I was over driving and this turn was not optional. “Those signs are more like suggestions rather than laws,” I told my driver, “You can turn left.” So he did it. He turned. And I prayed lord, forgive me for turning my leader into a lawbreaker.
Waffle Cones & Trash Cans: Apparently my group leader takes his youth to Ben & Jerry’s every trip they go on. We made it happen one night and enjoyed every last bite of the sweet ice cream. Then I was dared to eat a waffle cone out of the trash can. Of course, I made sure the cone was in the middle of all the other thrown out waffle cones. It didn’t actually touch the trash itself, right? I ate it. They gave me a hard time about it the rest of the week.
The Sidewalk Chat: We were on our way as a group to get a treat at a local custard and ice shop. On the way, I was talking to a student that I had grown close with over the week. I asked her a question that sent tears rolling down her face. That question opened her up for the first time to be real about the things she was dealing with and it opened me up to see how amazing God is. He ordained that conversation. I believe it. How cool that we were both in D.C. at that time so that the conversation could happen. Praise God! Also, praise God for ginormous ice cream sandwiches that come in burger-looking packages.
Lost in the Woods: One day I was trying my best to navigate the group to the Jefferson Memorial. Between two spread out hands, I held the map up to the light and directed my driver. “Okay you are going to stay on this road…then exit as soon as you can…” I tried. I really did, but somehow we ended up on a highway in Virginia. My driver wasn’t having it. I could see it all over his face. It read, “Get me out of this car. I know you are lost. I am sick of traffic.” I couldn’t blame him. We had been in the car for awhile. So I said a prayer asking the Lord for strength and direction. Then, it came: Theodore Roosevelt’s Island. It was the most beautiful tiny island filled with dense trees and dirt paths. Oh, how beautiful it felt to feel dirt beneath my feet again. My group went over the bridge to the island. As soon as we crossed, we heard the famous words, “I need to use the restroom.” Those were the words that sent us on a search through the woods. The trees got so thick at one point that I was sure we were lost. Suddenly, a small building with the most beautiful compound word across the top, “Restroom” emerged from the trees.
Worship & No Crying: The last night my group was here we worshipped outside our housing site in the grass. It was a much needed time to praise God for all He had done through and in us. After worship, in a surprise turn of events, one of the most goofy and adventurous kids became serious as he spoke these words, “I just want to say a big thank you to Celeste for putting up with all of us, especially me.” I looked ino his eyes as he was talking and I could see tears threatening to spill out. Of course, he never cried because…what high school guy cries?
Cinnamon Roll: This was my last memory. It happened early this morning actually. My group was all packed and ready to go, but before they did, we all grabbed hands. They said, “let’s do the cinnamon roll!” I was like excuse me, what? Then they started spinning around me until I was fully wrapped in the biggest, most family-style hug I had been a part of.
I often recount the memories from my past. Lifting them out of mental envelopes. Unfolding them and reading and rereading all that has come and gone. It is neat to so quickly recount this past week’s memories and praise God for them. Can’t wait to see how next week goes! Pray for our hosts’ strength and enthusiasm. I want our attitudes to be cisterns that overflow only with what the Lord fills them with: JOY!
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