Skip to main content

Washington vs. Whittier middle School

             The girls were anxious to begin the trip, but now as the first night comes to a close it's widely known that everyone is exhausted.  Red in the face (from the sun of course), grumpy by all mean and just plain tired.  Getting accustomed to a new area is always difficult, but with the humid heat and little experience in the area, maps of all colors became our new best friend.  Water bottles in hand, pins hanging from all the girls necks and the race was on.  Here at NHD boys and girls all over the world find common ground very quickly when it comes first to their passion of history and second get as many new pins from as many new places as possible.  Kids literally sigh when they realize the state you're from is already shown on their cord.  



            The speaker was amazing; a former NHD contestant herself she knew the drills; from research to traveling tips.  Yet as soon as she spoke the girls attested to feeling goose bumps from her positive words and aspirations.  Of the 600,000 contestants who originally competed the crowd there that night made up 2,900 .05% of those who had the same dream as they did. Whether or not these girls pass first round and continue on and the big scheme of competition doesn't take away from how far they have traveled. If the girls somewhere between the bad landing and one too many metro rides had lost grip of what brought them here they were soon reminded.  The girls are revved up and ready to speak up for their soft and hidden topics.  Raising a voice for issues that need to be brought back into light is why these girls are here. 








Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

John 15:5

          Many people dislike the hype over new years resolutions often ranting that people should not wait until the last day of the year deciding on how and what to change about their lives.  However, there is something viable and precious about making new goals towards a better year.  How is anyone suppose to grow if they never look back and learn from their present failures and mishaps?         Over the next few days I challenge those to reflect on their year, 2014- the good the bad and the ugly (only if you dare).  John 15:5 states, "I am the vine, you are the branches. If a man remains in me, and I in him, he will bear much fruit: apart from me you can do anythi ng. “   Therefore with God the center and foundation of your resolutions they do have a chance of succeeding. So pray, seek answers and think back on what you have learned. 2015 brings in fresh life- so ponder the past but breath in the new.  I wonder...
Post a Comment
Read more

Faith Vs. Fear

My time in Jamaica has been spent learning, growing and loving. God has been working on my heart continuously. I came into this trip with the misguided mindset of a new start, and new beginning. There is this assumption that when you leave an environment you are in all the pieces will fall together, clicking into this seemingly happy perfect life.  What better way to feel joy than living a life whole heartedly being present in relationships? Being able to love, and share about Jesus. However, in the last month this mentality has drastically shifted.  God's love, and His grace has become a steadfast part of where I am. Like a pacemaker, God has become my lifeline. Life gets crazy, messy and it can be hard, but it also can be a whirlwind of uncountable laughs, and times of joy.   The pace of Western culture is fast, every second of the day is strategically planned out. To allow someone to help, or rely on involves time. Ultimately it is a call for greater tru...
Post a Comment
Read more

Dance Party Ice Breakers

I'm currently sitting in a hot van, on my way down the windy mountainside. I haven't been able to sit down and right a thoughtful well written blog so please excuse my scattered rambles.  The more we settle into Jamaica the more we have been able to gain valuable relationships in the community. Unlike other mission trips where you come and do a lot of manual labor, we are here for an extended period of time. This gives us the opportunity to truly get to know the community, build relationships and share about Jesus in a way that we would be unable to do with a strict schedule.  This being said, it isn't always easy. Coming from a culture that is very goal oriented, progress driven, and strict with time has created a deeply embedded go go go mentality. It's as though my internal clock is having to be re-wired. This has made it especially difficult at times when we're being called to just sit in relationship, in the presence of God.  I'd love to sit he...
Post a Comment
Read more