Days 54- 58

Keep Your Head Up

"You only ever grow as a human being if you're outside your comfort zone."
- Percy Cerutty

Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore. 
- Andre Gide

~ Both of these quotes were inspired by the work we do on COTS. It's when we are out of our comfort zone that we are able to grow and see the greatness God has for us and how He pushes us through and through. Once we lose sight of the shore we are able to discover more shores that will be worth it in the long haul. Sure you may confront many storms, but with the help of God, He can help you navigate the way to a brand new world. COTS has and is showing us this by letting go of the control we want to have and giving it all to Him. Letting Him steer our wheel not only takes stress off of us but guides us to new paths that create opportunities to help other people going through similar problems that we are going through. So let go and let God. :)

     As each day passes I realize more and more how God works in everyone's lives. Whether many of them are "Christians" or not, being able to see the smallest miracle work through and around people really helps keep my head up. Though sometimes, as I've said several times, it's hard to keep a positive attitude, having faith that God will work in our lives helps keep me moving. Throughout this week I mainly talked to Jimmy. We got really close and Andrew and I were able to get him his ID. The process however was far from simple. That Friday we arrived at St. Paul and Gary handed us the letter that the elders had written for Jimmy, letting him use their mailing address for his ID. We headed over to the DMV and while we waited for Jimmy's number to be called out I prayed and prayed that everything would work out just fine. Going through so much the day before, like a roller coaster ride of emotions, I don't know what I would've felt like if they wouldn't let Jimmy get his ID. Then his number was called out. It was like it was too good to be true.. the lady was actually nice and asked Jimmy to sign in a few places and to stare at the camera until it flashes. I seriously didn't think this was going to happen until the camera actually flashed and that flash was also my sign that Jimmy had actually received his ID. When he got it he was BEYOND happy and we took him to Dairy Queen and returned to St. Paul's where he showed his ID to a few of the guys there. 

     I saw him again the next day for Saturday on the Street and I could still see the joy in his eyes. He helped Lauren make snow cones and always asked me if I wanted anything- until he actually gave me some water :) Jimmy has become an extremely close friend to me. I care about him so much and I'm excited that he has become a part of my life and that hopefully I've become a part of his. This is exactly what Church on the Street is; to be able to create strong friendships and stay in touch with each other throughout time- and that's what I hope will happen to Jimmy and I's friendship. I also have become close to Manny (The Hawaiian as I like to call him haha ), Joshua, Tony, Reggie, and Moe. Each of theses guys have opened my eyes incredibly and touched my heart. They also encouraged me whenever I was down and always knew how to bring me up. We now have a few inside jokes that we use on a regular basis :)

     I also ask that you keep a woman named Jennifer in your prayers. We had been praying for her to show up to Retreat since she had been gone for a few weeks. She showed up on Friday and at first she was doing ok but one thing led to another that made her tell me that she's not going to Retreat anymore. She struggles with a few things in her life and I just pray that God can help her through all this and lead her to people that will care for her. Hopefully she'll come back in a  few weeks. Other than that we have 2 more mission teams coming in tomorrow- so keep Church on the Street in your prayers as well as the mission teams! I'm excited to see what will happen within the next week! 

Jenny Sample