Whatever God Orders, He Pays For.

I have been trying to post an update for a few days now, but I can’t seem to put the right words on the page. I’m now going into my 3rd week here at Chanku Waste and I couldn’t be more happy about God sending me here. I also couldn’t be more sad about leaving. Don’t get me wrong, I love and miss all of you guys at home. However, this was such an amazing experience at such an amazing place. I didn’t feel worried before I got here, but I think deep down that I had a little anxiety about where I would stay or the fact that I didn’t really know anyone here. I believe that God made a way for me, though. He put me in a place with people that He knew I was supposed to meet. Everyone here has awesome stories about how God has worked in their lives. 

We have a sign hanging in the camp office that reads, “Whatever God orders, He pays for.” That is so true. Y’all already know my fundraising story. If you haven’t, you can read about it here. I believe that this quote not only applies to financial resources, but also, comfortability and peace in general. If God wants you to go somewhere, He will make a way! In my case, He provided the financial means to get here. He also provided a comfortable place for me to stay. He provided people that would become great friends. He provided everything that I needed to feel at peace here. 

Every time that a group comes to serve here, Matt explains that they don’t get to really see the fruit of their labor. He told us that back in March and I’ve heard him tell multiple groups this summer. It’s true. It’s hard to see the fruit of your labor when you are only here for a week. However, I was lucky enough to see some fruit this week. Yesterday at church, 3 kids were baptized. It was such an amazing thing to see how God is working on the Rez. One of the people baptized, Teddy, is a young man who has been coming to camp for years. He accepted Christ at the end of the first week that I was here and it was super emotional for everyone. I’m so proud of Teddy, who is leaving for College in Kansas soon. 

It was so cool to see how certain groups connect with the kids and how big of an impact that they make on them when they come back from year to year. That is why churches must make a 3 year commitment to serve at the camp. I also heard the groups say that their leaders told them not to come if they did not plan on coming back. They are here to build relationships with the kids and if they come for one week and never come back, they are just like any other church group that comes on the Rez. 

Well, I’ve got less than a week left here and I’m not particularly excited about leaving. I knew when we came in March that God was calling me to serve at this place and I’m super glad that I came this summer. I’ll be driving to my Great Grandmother’s house in Nebraska on Saturday and then Sunday, I’ll make the long journey home. Thanks for keeping up with my story! If you haven’t already, click the follow button so that you will receive email updates each time I post!