For the past two weeks, the guys on my squad have been with Samaritans Purse helping with flood relief in Jackson, Kentucky. The area was still in pretty dire condition even though the flood had happened over two months ago. In an area where the water had rose as much as 40 feet in some areas. We worked on twelve different homes in the area, and were doing manual labor for 8 hours a day. Our days consisted of carting out ruined belongings from the homes, shoveling mud, ripping out moldy drywall, and prying out warped flooring. There were times when we had to take breaks from rooms due to nausea, we would come across a pile of maggots, or in one instance 7 rats ran out of a rotten refrigerator. These were the times when it took guts and remembering that ministry is the reason we were there. Remembering that being the hands and feet of Jesus sometimes means working outside of our comfort zone. At the end of the day we were able to bless and affect a deeply hurting community.

We were also able to bless the community away from the job site. On the first Friday night that we were there, they had their homecoming football game. We were able to pack their stands with 50 extra people that night. We were able to become a pep section that they had never had, we met players, and even stormed the field when they won. While this was incredibly fun for us, we had many parents, and coaches thanking us as it was a service and an encouragement to them. We then continued to go to two volleyball games the following week. We were able to bring hope to the people who were affected by the flood, even though we weren't even helping on their specific homes. Being able to impact this community so much has me so stoked for the kind of impact I have the potential to make all around the world.

These two weeks really made me realize how much I need Jesus. How easily earthly possessions can be wiped away, and turned into trash so quickly. This need for the Lord is so much more important than anything else, and it was so cool to see people filled with joy even though all they had left was the Lord. We need Jesus. Ironically, the song that the phrase "Have some guts kid, this is ministry" comes from is entitled "I need you" by Gable Price and Friends. We NEED the Lord. If our lives aren't built on him we are so vulnerable to any gust of wind or storm; all other ground is sinking sand.

My time on domestic mission has come to a close however, and I have now traveled and am writing to you from my hostel in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. I will head to Siem Reap to start ministry here tomorrow. Thank you all for your support and continued support of my blogs. God bless you all.