Have you been asked that yet?  The summer is almost over.  As we begin to prepare again for the beginning of a new school year, this is a question I am asked often.  What will my answer be?  “Well, I did this internship through the Brethren in Christ.  Every summer the Allegheny Conference has an intern who goes on a whirl-wind tour of various ministries.”  But that’s not really the best place to begin…

It really began about a year ago.  My parents randomly ate lunch with this missionary couple from Spain at a BIC ministry gathering in Pittsburgh, PA.  After hearing about this couple’s work, they ended up sharing about their daughter (me!), a missions-major who would love what they are doing in Spain.  Needless to say, contact information was passed on to me and I began to learn more about the Bundy family and their work in Madrid, Spain.  And what I learned fascinated me.

            As I was finishing up my last year in college, it came to my attention that I had no idea what the next step was in life!  I didn’t even feel like I knew who I really was anymore.  I realized that I had spent so much time focusing on my Bachelors degree, that I had lost sight of what had originally been my inspiration.  Where was I going?  What had led me to study missions?  What can I really do with a degree in Intercultural Studies? Have you ever heard of it? Yeah, I didn’t think so.

Through my contact with the Bruce & Merly Bundy, I had learned of an internship they were in the process of developing called, “Come Walk on the Edge.”  It’s a one-year internship for individuals who desire to serve in missionary work.  As I read the informational packet they had sent, various words continued to catch my attention; such as post-modern culture… discernment… church planting… spiritual disciplines… Spanish culture & language immersion…relational evangelism…and community lifestyle.  These were all things that I desired to learn more, things I wanted to make a part of my own life.  As I intently prayed for direction, I kept coming back to these things and to this opportunity.  So I began to pursue this internship.

It was through my pursuit of this yearlong internship that I was led to another opportunity, a summer intern position with the Allegheny Conference.  Now I must be honest and admit that this was not what I had pictured myself doing after I graduated college… but it was exactly where the Lord led me to be.  I walked into it not really knowing what to expect of the summer; never imagining that I would learn so much about myself!  As I spent each week with a different BIC ministry, my eyes began to open up to things I hadn’t known about myself… as well as things I needed to be reminded of regarding this.  The most frequent question I was asked throughout the summer, “Would you share your testimony with us?”  This look into the past was the most effective tool in helping me rediscover my passions.  I learned that where we have been plays a huge role in determining who we are now and who we will become.  As I shared with others, I not only introduced myself to these churches, but I re-introduced myself to me!

Each week opened my eyes to who God created me to be.  Each week left me amazed at the passions of my heart.  I also began to sort through the difference between being good at something and being called to something.  What really feeds your passion?  What do you really get excited about? 

I discovered that I love children.  I can sing, jump, and dance around like the best of them.  But my passion lies in seeing teens discipled—to encourage those who are just beginning to receive their own life calling.  My heart begins to flutter as I see teenagers embrace their personal relationships with the Lord and step into the things He is calling them to.

Through participating in the short-term mission trip offered in London, UK, I learned that I am not a street evangelist!  Nor do I have a particular calling to work primarily with Muslims.  But I do have a huge heart to see Christ proclaimed in Europe—a continent in great spiritual darkness. 

I even saw through conquering my own fears that preaching is not as terrifying as I thought!  Even my own sermon spoke to me as I shared about letting go of our expectations and surrendering to the calling of the Lord on us.  I needed to let go of my expectation that I am not a preacher and accept that I have a gift for speaking, which God desires to use.

This summer has taught me many things about myself.  And as I look back, I can see how God has used each step of the way to bring me closer to what I was originally pursing—Spain!  This summer I met many incredible, amazing people who are passionately serving the Lord in a variety of ways.  In my obedience to put aside my desire for Spain, I made connections with churches, ministries, and people who have helped me get even closer to being there—connections with an eternal impact.  But more than anything, I have become even closer to being the person that God desires to use wherever He sends me.

God has uniquely gifted each of us.  These gifts are ways that He desires to use us.  Are you functioning in the gifts He’s given you?  Is the work you are doing something you are merely good at?  Or is it something that you are passionate for? 

Rather than asking, “How was your summer?”  I would encourage you to ask each other, “What did you learn this summer?”  And be ready to answer the question yourself.  You never know what you may learn from someone else’s summer experience!

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