The Story of A Significant Moment

And just like that, it’s already over

We have been having intern teaching sessions each day before and after the kids' camp: our morning rally and speaker time, EXPLORE, CREATE, lunch with the kids, closing rally, afternoon speaker and discussion groups.
Children brought their families and friends to their showcase. It was beautiful. Kids were proud to show their work.
I can hardly believe that we are already home.

Top floor of the tallest tower

3-day Internship

They weren't exactly sure what they were signing up for. They weren't really sure what they were saying, "Yes!" to. We didn't know that anyone would show up. We didn't know how instrumental they would be!

They are the FUTURE. It's so amazing to stretch them to dream and imagine. I'm learning along with them.

Empowering

I knew that I wanted to come to empower the youth to bring healing to refugees. Last week, I saw a story of healing. This week, I am seeing the empowering. 

Empowering three interns to lead today. Not only in teaching art to kids, but also in thoughtful conversation. In their own way, they are definitely standouts. Each is so eager to learn and grow.

The Beauty of the Future

One project we created was a book to show a significant moment in our life, the before and after. Today, R and A will be teaching this to the children. Please cover them in prayer as they show up hungry and eager to learn and take action, to learn from each other and to be empowered as leaders.
A's story is around their travel to Lebanon from Syria. It was a dark time in her life, but she has hope again. She titled it, "The Beauty of the Future."
R's story is around her journey with Jesus. She came to life and is in the process of growing. Her book is titled, "Born Again."
Hopefully, they bring their books to share again today. I'll be sure to get pictures.
The kids will create their own today.

Sharks and scra

Malakai loves sharks!

Beautiful Hard Day

Setting Up Space and Expectations

The View

Perspective changes everything. When we are tired and frustrated, we pause. Be still. Listen. There may be something bigger going on. I get to step into something beyond me. Let's see what's next! Tomorrow we step into FUTURE: 3-day creativity and leadership conference.

Giants

There are giants in the airport. One thing we're talking about this week is that our greatest giants are within us. It may be fear, but it may be hope. How fitting that it's an art installation. 

Packing Light

We're on our way. We packed bags and bags and boxes and boxes. We brought our underweight luggage to the airport and filled it to the max with things from the overflow of other bags. It all worked out and we're on our way. I haven't traveled in such a large group since my very first overseas trip to India. It was there that I discovered that I would want to create a space for children around the world to create art. There were talented children who would not have an art class because they had to focus on math and language studies. While there were over 1,000 orphans at a single children's home, they were filled with love and joy. I find so much joy in seeing colors. Beauty surrounds us in color. Even the lights in our plane have been changing color throughout the flight.

FUTURE Showcase!

We have been working on our showcase for the past month. And what a showcase it is! This team is so talented and so much dedication has gone into it: the original songs, the spoken word choir, the documentary made by the film team, and translating a song into Arabic. I am so glad to have seen their talents before we go. I am so grateful to be able to be a part of it! This is the start of it all. I know there is something amazing awaiting me in Lebanon. I will come back changed and forever better because of it.