Have Faith

I have had the absolute pleasure to be at Deer Run for the past two weeks now. I know I've been a bit MIA, I'm sorry, but here's an update. These people- wow, I just love them all so much. This welcoming, genuine, and compassionate community has quickly become the best family and support I could ever have received. I have been truly blessed by the presence and joy of every single one of them. To be in a place where Christ is constantly the center absolutely blows my mind and simultaneously overwhelms my heart.

As we prepare for the coming weeks where we will intentionally pour the love of Jesus into and reach over 3,000 kids, the enemy is certainly meddling to prevent such a big impact; it can be both seen and felt. We've already had a few people fall ill and even a few injuries. He is affecting many thoughts woven with doubt or distance, etc. Thankfully, we have an amazing staff supporting us that can handle all these situations with such grace and professionalism, through heavy prayer [hint hint, something you can be praying for for us here- safety and good health].

Admittedly, I have been struggling with a few things that until yesterday, I wasn't sure how or what I was going to learn from them. I felt distance and loneliness- like all I was doing was one sided and God was silent. All until I reread something I had written during my quite time and could see that He was trying to tell me something that I'd like to share with you:

It’s so interesting how when we are seeking to be loved and accepted, our first instinct is to turn to people around us- boys, friendships, work, etc. to find it, and try to have them fulfill that desire for us. It’s so hard because that is the type of physical, earthly, immediate kind of happiness or satisfaction we as humans desire that pure faith does not supply. Faith requires patience and grace, silence and even loneliness. It requires that we walk the straight and narrow even when everyone else takes the wide and crooked. Faith itself is difficult to maintain on your own sources and with your own will. Yes, the Lord allows free will among us, which makes the relationship, or choice to have one with Him even more powerful and meaningful. The choice to have faith means believing even when it’s hard to do so or when it’s not the easiest thing to do. It means doing what your supposed to be doing, even when things don’t feel like they’re working. Deciding. Committing. Persevering. Following through. He pursues us unyieldingly and without ceasing or any hesitation, so why do we seek satisfaction from others so often? Why do we feel the desire to be pursued by feelings that are fleeting? To take our eyes off the true never-ending and unwavering source. It’s all so sticky and complicated. It’s hard to wait over give in to temptation. But that is where faith is developed, through hope, patience and perseverance. Yes, I want certain things really badly, but it’s really ultimately about what God wants for me, that trumps it all. He controls the direction of the wind and the falling of each rain drop, so why can’t we trust that He has control over everything regarding His plan for our lives- every detail big and small. Keep the faith. Have faith.

[Matthew 17:20…”Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to here,’ and it will move. NOTHING WILL BE IMPOSSIBLE FOR YOU.”]

[James 2:14-26]

[Jude…all of it]

Have FAITH. It's a complicated word and concept, nevertheless, that's something I'm so excited and looking forward to for this summer: growing my faith in such an amazing place among some of the greatest people I've known. He is faithful to those who are faithful; even those with the smallest speck of it. I hope this encourages you in even the smallest way.

I'd like to humbly ask for those who are willing, to pray over the health and safety of all the hardworking staff, and each child that will come through our camp. Pray that the shadow and schemes of the enemy are rejected and that he has no power here. Ask Our Father to give us the strength to pursue and focus on Him while showing the campers the true love He has for each and every one of us- especially since this might be the first time many of them will experience something like it. 

Thank you!

Love always,

Brittany