There's No Such Thing as "Too Human"

A beautiful double rainbow I saw last week!

I know we have about two more weeks until summer officially begins, but considering it's 9 in the morning and I'm typing this in what The Weather Channel says "feels like" 88 degrees - Happy Summer! It really started to feel like summer for me May 30th - the day after my apprenticeship ended. Yep - May was the last month of 10 and I'm still not entirely sure I believe it was that long. While there's still work to do, the first week proved to be more restful than the school year. I already miss having classes and filling most of my hours with course work, but now I can focus my efforts on fundraising and getting to know more students.

This was the last Core (small group) we had of the year! We had a sweet time reflecting on memories and looking ahead. Classic Zoom snapshot lol.

Enough about this new month, though. I'll share about it next month.
May was as good as an end-of-year could be in the middle of a global pandemic from a Zoom student banquet, an entire new class in two weeks (also Zoom), and beginning our ministry-wide virtual summer Focus. I think everyone is a bit sad at the way things ended, but our students have been nothing but understanding, flexible, and faithful even though things are not the same.

In the very last week of May, every apprentice gave a sermon to our entire staff team over their 3 greatest takeaways from the year. I am amazed at how different each one of these people are from the beginning of August to now. God really has used this opportunity to transform and grow them. I'm honored to have done this with them and I can't wait to see what each one goes on to do for the kingdom. A common theme throughout the sermons was surrender. So many of us learned more about our need to rely on God and trust him. To stop trying to fix everything ourselves.

All of the apprentices in a group hug *before* COVID-19. How I wish I could hug them now.

Another one of my points was "we're not too human to do ministry." And I want to share this with you to encourage you - to remind you of how your humanity, your willingness to love people (including me) despite your shortcomings or weaknesses, is a blessing. So often we thing we're "too young" or "not educated enough" or fill in the blank after "too ___" or "not ___ enough" to do certain things. Maybe it's to speak into someone's life, to be a good friend, to do a certain career, to be a good parent, to speak up about something. The list goes on. But when we do this, we turn specific qualities we have into qualifiers and we limit ourselves from actually doing anything. If my parents constantly thought they weren't good enough to be parents - and then let that define their lives - my sisters and I probably wouldn't be where we are. Of course, everyone has insecurities and moments of doubt. But everyone has human qualities. It's no surprise to anyone that we make mistakes. We're growing and learning in whatever role we're taking on or already in. No one expects us to be perfect at them - ever! But especially immediately. And that's something I had to learn this year being brand new to our team and full time ministry. I realize that's not always the case in every job position or from every boss. So I'm thankful for a team that believes this and embraces weaknesses, that has room for mistakes and growth opportunities. And if you don't feel safe failing wherever you are, you can fail with me. I get it, I've done it time and time again. But the grace of God, my family, my coworkers, and my friends, I've become more okay with it. I don't know everything and I won't know everything. But I can try my best.

This song has been sweet to listen to when I don't actually believe I'm capable of anything.
1 Corinthians 15:58
"Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPj3Kf7Dorw

Thank you for walking through these last ten months with me. I've said it before and I'll say it again, but I really could not have done this without you. Each of you have been so generous to me and I've been blessed to see the excitement and readiness of people to partner with me.

Before my prayer requests I wanted to attach the statement FOCUS has made about the ongoing injustices in our country. I'm proud of FOCUS for sharing this (from one of our ministry partners - Fuller Theological Seminary) and we as a team all stand behind it in agreement. We are praying those who are mourning and grieving, and seeking ways to take action. Like I mentioned above, there are plenty of things that might come to mind that you might think disqualify you from being able to help bring about change, but I encourage you to not let that be your deciding factor. Let's make this about others, not ourselves.

Prayer Requests

• Alex found a job!! Praise and thank God with us - thank you for praying for him this year. He starts in a week so please pray for him as he starts and as we adjust.
• I'm 74% fundraised for the upcoming year!! Another praise! Please pray for me, and our entire team, as we continue to pursue partnerships with more people. I only need $795 more per month! If you know anyone who might be interested, please let me know.
• Summer can be hard for students - loneliness, boredom, some have more time with difficult families; please pray for them their breaks.
• Pandemic fatigue is real as I'm sure all of you know. Pray for endurance, patience, and flexibility as we continue to adapt and adjust to prolonged virtual ministry.
• Pray for those who are oppressed and longing for justice.

With love,

Jacy