Oxford Hills Christian School in South Paris, Maine. Something different about this week was having to stay at a hostel. It's funny how the last couple schools when been, there's also been lots of ministry opportunities wherever we end up staying as well. God has been so amazing me how He sets us up every week. There was a lovely family that owned this hostel and welcomed us in. But I really want to share about this man Joseph that was also staying at the hostel...
The first day we met Joseph he greeted us at the door as if he had been waiting for some fellow travelers to come all night. Just that Sunday night he shared with us stories of his travels over the past couple months from St. Louis to Maine, all completely led and orchestrated by the Holy Spirit. Without any money, God told him to travel to different hostels meeting people and evangelizing. I wouldn't have room or time to write out all the stories he told us that week. But it was evident God's hand was on his life and completely carrying him through the harshest situations and how faithful God was to lead him to a safe place every night. He also had experience working with the homeless, and I remember Tuesday night I got to spend some time with him sharing stories about witnessing to the homeless and sharing Jesus with them. It was such a blessing to come across such a man, completely abandoned to the Lord and just listening to His voice every step of his travels, fully trusting the spirit on where He wanted to take him next. I'll never forget the words he gave me the last day we were there, there was something important the Lord was leading him to tell me before we left. "I don't ever leave a place without saying everything that needed to be said, you know what I mean!" He told me that it is important for me to keep interviewing and photographing people, but only the ones the Lord leads me to. And that there will be one who will be so touched, that when I meet them again someday years later with tears of gratitude in their eyes, it will change not just them, but my life forever. "And don't think you or what you're doing is insignificant!" is what he kept saying. I felt this go deep into my heart and it was so encouraging, as I sometimes question what I'm doing with photography and if it's making any impact. What Joseph said reassured me and made me want to go out and document more of what God is doing all around me!
"When you walk so closely to Him, things like this start to happen..."
Beacon Christian Academy. Beverly, MA
Something I wanted to touch on most about this time was also a part of the host family we were with. We were blessed to stay with the lovely Leah and her 5-year-old daughter Jordan. One of my favorite nights was when Allycia and I spent the whole night dancing and worshiping God with Jordan. Never have I seen a 5 year old girl worship and love God like her! "We're praising and worshiping God and it's the best day of my life! Jesus is hugging our hearts, I can feel him!" eyes closed and spinning with arms flared out, hahaha. I had to agree with her...it was one of the best days of my life too =) I can't wait to see her and Leah again, it might be a year until that happens but just meeting that little girl has changed my heart for worship even further.
