Internship Update 1/10 "Open Doors"

My first week in Albany Park went so quickly! It doesn’t feel completely real yet, and I found myself thinking about AP like a camp; that I would be headed back home soon. I’m sure in the next week or two it’ll begin to set in more that I’m going to be here for awhile. This place feels very foreign to me, with all sorts of new smells, sights, and sounds to get used to as well as a whole new set of rules that are different from my home. Even so, it feels right.

My journey with New Life began on an impulse, but every door has opened before me with barely any difficulty so far. During the preparation for coming here, I thought of this lack of resistance as a sign that God was preparing a place for me here. After being here a little while, that feeling is continually confirmed within me. I don’t know if God is calling me to Chicago or New Life long term, but I think that he definitely called me here for this summer. That reassurance has set my mind and heart at ease. The biggest challenge for me so far is feeling hesitant to step into conversations. I don’t know the people here yet, and I don’t want to be too pushy or risk coming off as a know-it-all. At the same time, the brevity of my time here is always at the back of my mind, and I want to make an impact for Christ while I am here. There’s an energy and urgency for this summer as the church is in a time of big transition. This presents new opportunities for growth and also new challenges. 

I’m praying that God will give me boldness when I need to be bold and shut me up when I just need to listen. Please pray with me that God would open up the door for a new location for our church to meet in. Thank you so much for your continued support!