Recently, my youth group got back from doing mission work in New Orleans. While I was there, they asked us to think about why God had brought us there.  At first I wasn't really sure why; I thought it might be just to help other people in need. As I worked that week serving the Lord (shoveling dirt, cleaning streets, gardening, and sweating) I began to realize that God may not have wanted me there to change someone else's life, but he sent me there to change my life in ways I need to before I leave on this mission trip to Jeffrey's Bay.  I really learned that I need to have more of a servant's heart. As I watched others in my group, I became more aware of how I should be acting as a servant of Christ. God was asking me to do things I had no interest in doing that week. I know that He will be asking me to do many things I am not comfortable doing in these next nine months. God didn't want me there just to help put on a roof or pick up some trash, he wanted to open my eyes as to what a real servant of God is. I realize that, in going to Jeffrey's Bay, I am going to totally need to give up everything I want and focus on what God wants.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."   -Jeremiah 29:11