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The Opportunity I See

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by Amanda Delbeke, EM Summer Staff in West Virginia

"My oh my, the opportunity that I see." - Jack Fultz

West Virginia Mission Trips

What a month it has been. West Virginia living is really growing on me. Somewhere between the 400 people who have visited us this summer, to the long list of thankful homeowners who have received repair on their beloved houses, there's been lots to smile about. Megan, Matt, Kam, and I (the EM Summer Staff team in West Virginia) have all had the joy of experiencing God work through the volunteers that come, and the growing hope that seems to shine a little brighter each and everyday. Our community partner, Jack Fultz, has been an amazing host to our mission teams from across the country. One evening a week he shares his story and how he ended up on the mission field and owning a 101-year-old school in Gary. Within that story is such a simple and beautiful quote that he shares when looking out the window of the school to the mountains. "My oh my, the opportunity that I see." Jack runs a non-profit that focuses on mentoring and pouring love into the neighborhood kids. The high school graduation rate is very low here in McDowell County, and an even lower percentage attend college. Why? Among many other factors, a lot of these kids have simply never been told that's an option. That's what Jack does. He pushes these kids to become entrepreneurs, businessmen, and outside-of-the-box thinkers. When he looks outside the window of the school, he sees a river stream—where they are building a trout farm to raise up and start selling in town. He sees a forested mountain—a huge selection of quality wood that can be made into primitive furniture. He sees railroad tracks—a means of transportation and sourcing to other communities. He sees opportunity. He is instilling this thought process into these young men, who can contagiously pass it on to their friends. What a beautiful image of God. He sees us: broken, misplaced, and trying to do it on our own, and He gives us opportunity. Opportunity to grow and become more Christ like everyday. Opportunity to give and receive grace. Opportunity to further His kingdom by having a contagious love for others.

Jack's simple words have made me think a lot more intentionally about what I'm doing this summer. I'm blessed to run a kids club/bible camp for the local children Monday through Thursday each week. This is where Willie comes in. Willie is a 6-year-old boy who has the cheesiest smile I've ever seen. I wish I could say we started off on good terms, but we unfortunately didn't. On the first day of kids club, I was so extremely overwhelmed by how rough around the edges the kids were. There seemed to be limited structure instilled in their actions, no sense of routine, and no respect for the group that was helping out. It was a hot mess. Willie was definitely in the center of the chaos screaming inappropriate words at others and refusing to move from the spot he claimed as his own. He stood there for an hour. In hindsight, I admire his willpower to stand strong to an opinion, but I didn't feel that way in the moment. After many talks with Willie that day and little progress shown, I was feeling extremely defeated.

West Virginia Mission Trips

That night at dinner I sat next to the pastor from the group and was exchanging stories about our youth groups at home. We were talking about trips we've taken and organized, and how every time there's always one student who forgets it's that day or is running late. What he said has stuck with me for weeks on end. "Isn't that a great illustration for life, though? God is always waiting for us with arms wide open, no matter how late we are." Ouch.

My actions towards Willie are a direct reflection of how I view Christ. I wish I would have taken a couple deep breaths that day and given more grace. But through that lesson I have learned so much more—how similar Willie and I are. Aren't we all a little rough around the edges? Yet, there's God, with arms wide open telling us that when we submit, our imperfections can be made pure in His love. I have discovered the beauty of showing "tough love." All of these children have a hard outer shell they are seeking to have broken by someone. Someone who will tell them everything is going to be okay as they reveal the vulnerable truths that are hiding inside. For these children I may be that temporary person. But God is the permanent. Without walking down paths of distraction or sin, we would never realize how perfect God's love is for us. That without a little tough love of situations not working out as we had planned, would we ever retreat back to His guidance? I know I probably wouldn't. I would be so filled with pride and selfish ambition that my own plan had deemed itself so successful, I wouldn't need any other fulfillment in my life. But it's in those flaws and mishaps that He reveals himself to me the strongest. That He is always faithful. Always constant. All loving and all knowing. And always willing to welcome me back with arms wide open, imperfections and all.

I've started to establish some of these qualities with Willie and the improvement has been astronomical. He is now a consistent Kids Club attender and I am greeted everyday with a big hug. To get to this point, there were many hard conversations that Willie and I worked through. Obstacles were constantly in the way, but now each day ends with an "I love you" before dropping him off. These few weeks have been filled with countless emotions and thoughts, but the most prevalent I've experienced is opportunity. I've watched opportunity grow in the eyes of Willie and the direction his attitude is headed. I've felt opportunity grow within myself, and the path God has me on. But most importantly, I've watched the Lord plant His amazing view of opportunity in this community waiting with arms wide open for kids like Willie to tear down that outer shell and feel the richness of His love and sovereignty.

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