"We're all mad here." - The Cheshire Cat

It seemed to come out of nowhere. On Friday, it looked as if we would finally be able to say we had spent a wholly productive day. But, because the work in the week prior had been sporadic at best, no matter how glad we were to have oodles to do, we perhaps weren’t quite mentally prepared. Thus began the delightfully mad, mad weekend.

We printed and reprinted, counted and recounted registrations, folded roughly 800 brochures, cut nametags, sorted flyers - all this in preparation for (drum roll, please) Summer Camps! We had to find some way to relieve the taut nerves that were building up, and thus the silliness began to tumble over in waves. Goofy quotes and sarcasm reigned supreme (for a sampling of the lunacy, check out Allison’s facebook videos posted on Saturday). At long last, we three interns, Allison, Katherine, and myself, were finished with the work day and determined to come back to the office to finish everything early Saturday morning. What you may ask, was our logical next step?

A sleepover of course! Yes indeed, it makes perfect sense to have a sleepover with one’s girlfriends the night before one plans to be back at work at 7AM – on a Saturday morning no less. And so, dear reader, that is precisely what we did. Our good friend Jessi, also from Abundant Life, was the perfect addition to our posse. Pure giggly girliness was the name of the game that night. Love letters and flash mobs, outlandish marriage proposals and popsicle-filled banter filled the air. Finally we settled into our sleeping bags with a movie playing in the background at the entirely sensible hour of 2:30 AM.

Saturday morning rolled around and we rolled out of bed and rolled into the church parking lot approximately at 7:15 AM, mind you this was only after a compulsory doughnut and coffee run. Paperwork followed and wonder of wonders, we walked out of that office at 9:45 AM.

Hinkley Lake was calling Allison and my name that afternoon, and I must admit this gorgeous basin has captured my imagination. The lake and surrounding forest is utterly lovely and inviting. Families were swimming and enjoying the summer sun, many were strolling down the trails with their friends and dogs, and a number of fishermen were sitting along the water’s edge waiting for that elusive tug on their lines. Mere words can’t describe how enchanted I was by this little body of water; I simply am. Allison and I thoroughly enjoyed rambling along the lake and something tells me it won’t be too long before we find ourselves underneath the shade of those same trees again.

The last day of our delightfully mad, mad weekend could be compared to a little kid’s lunchbox packed to the brim. You see, we three summer missionaries were literally wheeling from one activity to another. Some of the things that kept us busy were utterly delectable in their “spiritual and edificatory nutrition”, while others weren’t such savory tasks but were absolutely vital to healthy preparation for the summer. Further pursuits were more standard fare, but we were indubitably blessed with sweet icing on our Sunday cake. Finally, just as I am a bit drowsy following a well rounded lunch, I was fittingly worn-out at the close of the day.

After this past Sunday and spending two weeks at Abundant Life, I’m learning that their church community is exceptional. The pastor, the leadership, the youth group, those wonderful people tirelessly giving of themselves behind the scenes – they’re a gentle and passionate picture of Christ’s church. His body. Their faith and belief are so beautifully simple and sincere. (And by simple, I mean not an overcomplicated, incessant pursuit of a hidden, earth-shattering theological meaning. Truth is truth; it will never change and God has laid His truth out pretty plainly if only we would take a look.) No wonder they are having a strikingly indispensable impact in their corner of the world.

Of course, I can’t talk about the people at Abundant Life without mentioning Katherine, Jessi, and Allison. These ladies are remarkable and the kind of friends who I know I needed this summer. To intently strive after God is what their hearts long for and they are so open and honest about the things that are blocking their way. They’re teaching me to be the same.

“Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one's friend springs from his earnest counsel.” Proverbs 27:9

What joyfully pleasant perfume God has given me in these three this summer!

PS: Tomorrow at theatre camp the gospel will be presented. Please pray that the Holy Spirit will open the kids' eyes and hearts to how much they need God's forgiveness and restoration in Him. Also please pray that we volunteers will be empowered by Christ and point the way to Him in all our interactions with the kids tomorrow. Thank you so much!