So, this summer I have a fabulous opportunity to learn, grow, and strengthen a relationship that I have been longing for, for quite some time now. I will be spending nine weeks rooming with 5-7 complete strangers in a rundown motel known as "the Sandman." I will live among these girls, most likely work with them, and be a part of a community of 200-250 college students who are living in this motel with them. These girls are what will become my family for the summer. It is said that your room is your family and everyone at Project is your community. Project (AKA Summer Beach Project) is a program put on by an international ministry known as Campus Outreach. I will be spending 9 weeks of my time at Project, but don't worry it's all of 200 yards from the beach, if that, so I won't be hurting to terribly bad. During these nine weeks, yes I will be spending a lot of time with people that I don't know and working a full time job, which will be hard, but the best part of project, the whole purpose of project... is what we do when we're not at work.
SBP gives me the opportunity to surround myself with a lifestyle for Christ. What we do when we are not at work consists of Bible studies, missions, one-on-ones with staff and other project-goers, and training. Now, of course you're asking, "what kind of 'training?'" Well, I'll gladly tell you. The training we will be going through is how to study the bible, how to reach other people and build relationships, and how to begin conversations with the people in your life about Christ and their faith. We will learn how to invest in peoples lives, not badger them with biblical stories and quotes, but show them the love of Christ through a friendship. It is through friendship that I came to know Christ's love for me, and it is through friendship that I have tried to show love to other people. I will never be able to show people the amount of love that Christ has for them, but if I can show them how much love I have for them, then, just then, maybe they will understand the true, immeasurable love of Christ for them.
I chose to go to Summer Beach Project, because I need Christ in my life, and I believe that He has lead me to Project this summer. I am excited to strengthen my relationship with Christ and learn how to have a committed relationship with Christ, because (if I am being honest with you, which I try to be) I have had a faltering and wavering relationship with Christ my entire life. I have had good months bad months, terrible months, and maybe a couple great weeks, but never a steady relationship with the Lord, so I made the commitment to go to Project this summer as a commitment to Him and our relationship.
I will be doing my best to post throughout the summer, and tell adventures about my progress and the fun that is going on down in Florida this summer, but as I will be working a 40 hour week, taking an online class, volunteering with a local ATC, and doing my best to be living presently at Project and not on my computer the whole time it may not be a steady posting. I will do my absolute best.
~J.a.Smith~
Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight."
