Agape Kai Pisti has grown into a handsome young dog and I have grown in my love and faith. Over the past year I was able to trust God, follow His calling, and accept my role as a youth pastor.
It all took place gradually and then happened with a Bang! I felt God deprived all year, as though I was unable to do His work to the extent I wanted to/was able to. Now I see, God was preparing me for the Cascades Summer Camp where I am known as Seeker. I arrived on June 18th and left on August 8th. That's approximately 7 weeks at Cascades. The first two were spent in training and setting up the themes for camp, the next four were spent as a counselor, and my final week I was able to work in the kitchen for the Ranch camp. Nothing taught me how to love UNCONDITIONALLY like being a counselor. I had been setting up for two weeks and gave up a money making job (which is important for a college student) in order to serve these kids and sometimes their actions made it a tough job to love; however, if we are to truly love as God intended, then we are called to love without any expectancy weighing down our hearts and caging in the people we love --easier said than done.
Faith, I never truly grasped the word until my first camper came through the cabin door, he was a nice kid. He was quiet, tall for his age, loved to smile, but needed reasons to do it. His dad came in and chatted with me for a while and I could tell right away that I was going to be looking after what mattered most in the world to the father. I realized in this moment that I had to have faith in God doing work through me because I, Ryan Reyna, can accomplish anything, not by my own accord, but by the Jesus in me. That week I found out that his mom had passed away and it was really hard on the family because they were farmers and the dad did the physical labor while she did the house work and tasks such as signing the kids up for camp and driving them around. We talked and prayed about it for a long time. At the end of the week I met his older sister and what did I ask! "Are you his mother?" Fail. I prayed that this single moment would not nullify the actions of the week and if anything would show my camper that he must rely on God and God alone. I have faith that moment of failure did not destroy my camper's relationship with God, bu God was able to use that moment for His greater good.
At the end of the four weeks of counseling I knew --God was going to call me to be a youth pastor. I wanted to be an orthopedic surgeon. Why can't I serve God and make money Lord? God replied, "Store up your riches in heavens because although doctors heal the body, you will heal the soul." What do I say to that? Nothing. I just nod my head and stare in awe. The hard part now is listening for God's direction while trying to tell my parents my plans for school in order to be a certified youth pastor. God will provide, altough it would have been nice if there was one more book in Revelation telling pastors to major in _______ at ________ University with a minor in _______.
May God Bless you every day of your life with a knowledge of the little blessings He bestows upon you in hopes that you will be able to show grace and unconditional love and constantly grow in faith, just as the world must constantly go round.
"Love each other as I have loved you" - Jesus
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