Half-Way

It's about our second full week into Kyoto which means we're half way through already. It's crazy to think that we only have 2 more weeks of ministry here when it feels like we've been preparing for this trip for years. Summer projects are an interesting time in a students life. In no other situation are we(as students) put into a context of being with 20 or so other students who are together for the same purpose: Christ. Students are stretched and grown within the time they are here but do not experience it the same way. For some, it will end up being the best summer of their lives; friends are made, fruit from ministry is seen and passions are revealed. But for others it will be the hardest time of their lives; frustration is experienced, discouragement from lack of fruit seen, and personal values/morals are tested. We cannot predict who will experience what but what we can expect is that we will come away changed.

For me personally, it's been an unexpected trip so far. Many of things I didn't expect to experience, I'm experiencing. I guess I didn't expect leading a project would be so difficult. I never realized that being a leader would be so different from being a student. I mean, don't get me wrong, I knew there would be responsibilities and new roles, but my focus has totally changed. No longer am I only focused on doing ministry and sharing the Gospel, but now most of my energy is focused into the students. A good way to describe it is "I'm always on".

But it's good, I'm enjoying myself and I'm sure I will walk away changed. Well, it's our day off and I'm off to do some laundry. (yay)