Living for Eternity

God has really placed it on my heart to share this. So here goes...

On the night of Monday, March 18, 2013, my dear friend Dave Hafner passed away, just 3 days before his 28th birthday. Since then, I've been mourning and grieving with friends and family that knew him well, but I also have this peace. And that's what I want to share with you.

This is Dave. He spend the last 9 years of his life surrendered to the Lord. He was more passionate about others than anyone else I know, and he was constantly pointing people to Christ. As a Christian, I understand Christ's love, but often times I shy away from boldly sharing it with others. Dave cared so little about what people thought of him and so much about the Lord that he proclaimed Christ's name boldly to pretty much anyone he met. If you talked to Dave for 5 minutes, you would know what he was most passionate about--his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

When a young person dies, it causes us to reflect on our own lives. It reminds us that we are mortal--we will die one day, and we have no idea when that day will be. Whether we were close with that person or barely knew them at all, we stop for a moment to think about death and life, what we believe or don't believe, our hopes, dreams, and fears. We might take a second to mourn for the person's family and friends, or even think about our own loved ones and cherish them just a little bit more.

But then what? Some continue to grieve for weeks, months, even years and process through these thoughts in more depth. Others move on more quickly and refrain from pursuing these thoughts any further. This time, however, I challenge you to really reflect on your life. Right now. Think about the people you love, the things you are thankful for, the dreams you have, the goals you wish to accomplish one day. Think about your passions. Think about what you're living for. Are you living to have a happy and healthy life? To be successful? To help others? To glorify God in everything you do? Whatever you might be living for, I ask that you stop now and really think about it. Then ask yourself this: Is it really worth it? Is what you're living for really worth your life? Let me take a moment to share with you what I live for:

"But whatever was to my profit, I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ--the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead." -Phillippians 3:7-11

This in no way makes me better than the next person. Nor does it mean I'm perfect. I'm broken. I mess up. I make mistakes, and sometimes I forget what truly matters.

As I continue to grieve the loss of my friend Dave, I cling tightly to the hope I have in God. To many people, death is the end of a life. To me and my brothers and sisters in Christ, however, death is only the beginning of something even greater--an eternity with our Father in heaven. We still mourn and feel the pain of losing a loved one, but we can rejoice because of the hope we have that we will one day be reunited.

"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die." -John 11:26

"For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day." -John 6:40

Dave lived for God, and because of that, God promises that Dave has everlasting life. Since I share this understanding with Dave, I firmly believe that I will join him in heaven one day.

"But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body." -Philippians 4:20-21

Dave recognized this truth, that we were made for heaven. This world is not our home. No, we are destined for eternal glory.

I share these things with you so you can better understand what I believe. My personal relationship with Christ is the most important thing in my life. It was the most important thing to my friend Dave, which is why his death has caused me to reflect more on what this means for me. What am I truly living for? Because I believe this so strongly, how can I not share it with others? If I care even a little bit about someone, how can I not give them the opportunity to understand the hope I have?

This is something that Dave had written in his bible: This life is not my own. This world is not my home. The gospel must be known.

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ dies for us." -Romans 5:8

"For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again." -2 Corinthians 5:14-15

So there it is. Please know that you are loved by the Almighty One and he welcomes you into a relationship with him. You are a broken sinner in need of a Savior who died and rose for you. All you need to do is accept the gift He is holding out for you.

I welcome any feedback or questions you might have.

Also, if you're interested in hearing more about the man that Dave was, here is his testimony that he gave at his church in Mankato this last fall.

With Christ's Love,

Katie

Coming soon...

Since I did a terrible job at updating this blog again this summer, I will be posting a larger update sometime next week.  In the meantime, enjoy our project photo:

The 97 students, 35 staff, and 14 staff kids on the NMB Summer Project

The Beginning

Well, students arrived 3 days ago, so the NMBSP2012 has officially begun! We've had orientation the past few days, and they started searching for jobs yesterday. Sharing on the beach is in full swing, and God is already working through us to reach the people here!

It's taken me a little while to get used to being back here and taking on a new role as staff, but I already love it and can't even think about leaving in 5 weeks. I absolutely love having the students here too--it's so fun to see them experience summer project for the first time! I can definitely think back to how excited I was just a year ago in their spot.

The girls I'll be discipling are so great. I adore them, and I cannot wait to get to know them better and grow with them. I've also gotten to know a lot of the staff, especially my roommates, and I have been so blessed by them. They make me feel included and loved and are always encouraging me.

I'm also a part of the project operations team, which includes a lot of organization, communication, and administrative work. It is SO my thing, and I am excited to be involved in that way!

That's just a quick update of my life here in NMB. I haven't taken any pictures yet (crazy!), but I'll try and get on that so you all can see what's happening.

Until next time!
Katie

Tomorrow!

Yep, it's already here! Tomorrow night I will be in North Myrtle Beach, SC ready for an awesome summer filled with challenging and fun experiences and letting God use me to reach the people of NMB! Last week, as I finished up finals, it seemed to surreal. There was no way I would be back in NMB in just a week. But today, it's finally hitting me! I don't think I'm prepared for what's going to happen, but I think that's ok. I know that God can work through me even when I am weak.

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. -2 Corinthians 12:9

There you have it. I am ready to GO, and excited to see what God does with me and the rest of the staff and students of the 2012 North Myrtle Beach Summer Project.

Please be praying the next few days for the staff as we are traveling down to NMB and as we prepare over the next week for the students to arrive.

Until next time,
God's blessings,
Katie

Back to NMB...?

Well, it's officially, officially official!! I applied, I've been accepted, I sent in my deposit, and I booked my flight! I'm headed back to North Myrtle Beach, SC for another summer of letting God work through me to reach the lost!

It's crazy to think back to who I was one year ago, as I was preparing to go on summer project. I was so excited to be used by God, and I had no idea what to expect! Little did I know, I would have the best summer of my life! Now I get to return and experience project from a totally different perspective.

As of 2 months ago, I thought I had my summer pretty much planned out. I would live in La Crosse and find a job--spend my summer making money and spending time with friends. But no, God had a different plan in store for me. At Cru, one night in the middle of February, the speaker was talking about world missions and how a lot of Christians make excuses not to GO...doesn't God call us to GO in Matthew 28:18-20? He commands us to GO and make disciples of ALL NATIONS. That hit me. Hard. I am able and willing. I understand the burden of the gospel and the urgency of spreading it. I have no definite summer plans, and even if I did, God is way bigger. That night, I started researching some of my options, which included possibly going to northern Africa or France. But then I found out about the need for staff in NMB, the same place that God grew me tremendously last summer.

Needless to stay, I felt a tug to go back. I would be taking on the role of student staff, with more responsibilities including discipling four of my college-aged peers, leading a bible study, participating in staff meetings, and basically taking on the role of staff. The moment I finished my application, I was terrified out of my mind. But God is sovereign, and He kept reassuring me that I am not alone in this. I knew I was ready...I need to be challenged in my faith so I can truly rest in Him and submit to His power in my life. There is nothing greater than that.

As I prepare to head back to NMB in just over a month, I pray that God will strengthen my faith and use me to bring Him glory.

Until next time, may you be experiencing the gospel everyday!
Romans 5:8

Repentance

This past weekend was our Cru Leadership Retreat where we learned about the upcoming year, cast vision, and planned with each of our ministry teams. It is amazing to see the passion for God in this year's leaders, and I am so excited to see how He uses us. The theme for the weekend was Repentance, Renewal, and Rejoicing, so we talked a lot about the importance of our personal walks with the Lord and experiencing renewal and rejoicing through that. It's great to be reminded that growing in our relationship with God comes before our ministry. Even though expanding God's kingdom is a crucial part of Christianity, it is meaningless if we do so with an empty cup.

Anyway, something hit me about repentance. I was praying that God would speak to me, that He would show me what He wanted me to learn, or give me a vision for my ministry this year. I became frustrated when I just couldn't hear what He was saying or if He was even saying anything at all. Duh! One big problem: I was approaching God as a filthy sinner. I hadn't laid down my imperfections at His feet. Only then will He cleanse us from our unrighteousness and place His blanket of pure righteousness over us.

"This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus" (Romans 3:22-24).

Only then can we stand before Him and ask. So often we jump straight to what we want and forget to give God what He wants. Jesus tells us that we must repent to have eternal life.

"But unless you repent, you all too will parish" (Luke13:3b).

Over and over again, we are taught to turn away from sin, to turn away from our evil desires and not give into temptation. In Romans, Paul explains the difference of having our minds set on our sinful desires and the desires of the Spirit.

"Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of the sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. You, however, are not controlled by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you" (Romans 8:5-9).

When we turn away from sin, we can see more clearly what God wants for our life.

"Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always" (Psalm 105:4).

God is loving and merciful, and He sends forgiveness through repentance. Then we can experience true renewal and rejoicing through Him.

"Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon (Isaiah 55:6-7).

Where Did the Summer Go?

I guess it’s pretty obvious that the last 5 weeks of Summer Project were crazy busy! I feel bad that went the entire second half of project without updating my blog, but that means that I used that time to do and learn other things that I get to write about now!

When the staff left right before the fourth of July, the real project began. Not that the first half didn’t count, but looking back, a LOT more happened in the second half. We all had to step up and take a new role, whether that meant leading a Bible study or serving on a ministry team. It was SO cool to see how God could work through each and every one of us to glorify Him in so many ways.

My favorite part about the staff leaving was being able to sense the urgency that we all suddenly had. When we realized that the summer was half over, we began to step into hyper drive: taking on new responsibilities, cherishing the time we had left with each other, building relationships with our coworkers outside of work, focusing more time and energy on growing our relationship with God, and going out sharing more than ever. The last thing we wanted to do was regress and end up wasting those last 5 weeks.

Since I have so many stories that I want to share, I’ll try and wrap up my summer the best I can by sharing a little about my favorite memories: my 97-person project family, working at Chick-fil-A, and outreach on the beach.

My Project Family
Honestly, I could not have asked for a more beautiful group of people to spend my summer with. I was so unbelievably blessed with my roommates, my bible study, my impact group, my 6pack, and so many more amazing people. We grew together. When one of us was hurting, we all were hurting. When one of us was overjoyed, we all were overjoyed.


My Roommates


My Bible Study


My Impact Group


My 6pack (just 5 of the people I got closest to and spent a lot of time with towards the end of project)

We had tons of opportunities to grow closer as a group through Community events that were put on every Saturday night, like the $5 Prom, a game of Capture the Flag, a Talent Show, among many others. I, along with many of the other students, spent many evenings hanging out outside of the project office after our evening events and going on “adventures” during our free time on Fridays. I will cherish those memories forever.

Some say that Summer Project is a little taste of heaven. The community and fellowship experienced is unlike anything I will experience again here on earth. While that saddens me, it also excites me for the day that we are all reunited again in heaven! I look forward to continuing the relationships formed and, Lord-willing, seeing them all again soon!


The entire NMB project: students and staff

Chick-fil-A
My job was such a blessing this summer. God placed me at Chick-fil-A for a reason, and it took me a little while to figure out what that was. Waking up at 4:30 every morning for work was hard to do with a smile on my face, but the relationships I formed were so worth it. I got to know my non-project coworkers, making an impact on their lives and them making an impact on mine, while also forming lasting friendships with my project coworkers. I learned to value sleep and was reminded what it’s like to work in a fast-paced food business. And I already miss the food! Maybe they’ll open up a restaurant around here soon!


My project coworkers and a few of our other coworkers

Outreach
Sharing our faith on the beach and around the community of North Myrtle Beach was a main focus of Summer Project. In addition to going out in our free time, we had two scheduled outreach times each week: one hour with our Bible Study leaders and about two and a half hours each Sunday afternoon with the project as a whole. We were able to talk to a variety of different people of different ages, backgrounds, and beliefs and learn how to share the gospel with different approaches. We felt the urgency to spread the good news so that everyone is given a chance to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. We also learned how to make evangelism a way of life and not just an activity; God called us to spread His love and glorify Him in all that we do, all the time.

As you can see, a lot happened this summer, and I would love to write more, but I could go on forever! If you have any specific questions about what I did in North Myrtle Beach, please feel free to email me at kscamann@gmail.com or comment on this blog post. You should also check out this Summer Recap Video that my friend Josh made.

I’m not exactly sure where God is leading me from here. He might be calling me to another Summer Project next summer, maybe internationally, or to join Cru staff after I graduate. As for now, UW-La Crosse is my mission field, and I am excited to be leading a Bible Study this fall and sharing His love all around the campus and the city of La Crosse!

Until next time,
God’s Blessings,
Katie