Life Teen Summer Missionaries are college age young adults who give around six weeks of their summer to serve teens at camp. Their job here is to bring everyone they encounter closer to Christ and they have done that amazingly. Our family was welcomed with hugs and now they call my parents "mom" and "dad" and they feel exactly like family. I have enjoyed these four weeks with them and am extremely sad to see them leave. They have gone over the top with their mission and have even brought our family closer to Christ too. Let me share a glimpse of them with you:
DJ is a great and holy man. We have had a lot of fun together, such as racing with me in the shopping cart at Wal-Mart and making Adventure Time jokes. He shows God's love by welcoming everyone with a smile. He wrote me the best affirmation letter I have ever received and will keep it forever.
Dylan is an amazing person from California. He is very funny and is modern day St. Philip Neri. He loves the Lord very much and it shows in all he does. He shows God's love by being fearless. He does not know a stranger, only friends he has not met.
Colby was a Summer Missionary when we were at Covecrest-Tiger last year. He is awesome! The first time I saw him I decide he looked like Percy Weasley from Harry Potter, so automatically I wanted to talk to him. He is kind and very patient with my "annoyingness". He shows God's love in everything he does.
Zach is gentle, loving, smiling always and is fearless. He is a great friend. He likes to have a great time with anyone. He is quiet at first, but after a little bit will talk a lot more. He is very holy and prayerful in his own quiet way. He is also very patient with everyone. I see God's love in his gentleness.
Daniel is like a brother to me in every way. When we were at the lake he picked me up and threw me in the water and then I tried to tackle him, but failed......miserably. He is like an older version of Gabe, but stronger.....and cooler. He shows God's love in an unassuming way. He is always observing, paying attention to every detail so that he can better serve each teen individually.
Anthony is full of energy, funny, recklessly in love for Jesus, and he is also treats me like a sister. I met him two years ago in Covecrest-Tiger, but I sadly did not remember him. We consistently have poke wars. He is quite weird, such as when we went to the lake/beach and played pokeman, which is very different because we just crawl around saying our names and tackling each other. I see God's love in him because whenever it is time to pray he immediatly gets in a prayer mode and is very serious.
Paco always makes time for everyone and is unafraid in his faith. Like everyone he loves Isaac, but he can only get him to come with candy. He goes to Baylor, and that makes Solomon and Max love him even more. I see God in his independence and kindness to others.
Chelsea is happy, bubbly, and very patient with Gemma. I think they are both princesses. Chelsea goes to Clemson and is trying to influence everyone to go to Clemson. She is very loving, patient, and kind. I see God in her patience with others.
Natalie is a quiet warrior for the Lord with a strong faith and fragile heart. She is very sweet and patient with Gemma, too. She is very sweet to everyone. I see God in her friendliness and kindness to everyone.
Christine makes Fransciscan University proud! She doesn't care what others think of her and radiates joy. She is bubbly and always greets everyone with a smile. She shows Christ's love by her joyfulness.
Bety is prayerful, kind, patient, loving. She is so considerate of others and would be someone you would tell your deepest secrets to. I will miss her strength and the peacefulness she brings to our community. I know she will always continue let Christ's light radiating through her everywhere she goes. She is a gem!
Jackie incredible energy, great singer, and her laugh is contagious. She is a beauty! SO much fun to be around. She can always see the bright side of everything and she shows Christ's love in her unselfishness. She is a true joy!
Amanda - is from Nebraska and staying true to her state, likes corn;) Isaac loves her and would run great lengths to be able to jump into her arms. During community prayer, he would seek her out so he could be with her. I know she will be a great teacher one day. She shows Christ's love in her smile and her ability to connect with children immediately.
I am sad to see them leave. We have become a family rooted in Christ's love and of the same mind. They have forever touched mine and my family's life and for that I am grateful. I know God has big plans for them and it would be selfish for me to make them stay here forever!
RADIANT JOY!
Mary
