If your house was on fire, I bet the only thing you would really be caring about saving would be your family. Firefighters brave the flame and the blaze to look for those you love, those who you have invested your life into, not your sock puppet from the sixth grade. Relationships are central to our existence here on earth, and I believe that they literally govern how we live our lives. Days can be made and hearts can be broken by just a single relationships interaction. Relationships take a long time to form and build trust, but can also be the most monumental thing in our lives. As Christ has called me to serve in my local church of Warmland, he has also called me to start formulating relationships with those around me, in his body which is the church. Every Sunday morning I attend the church service and every Friday I attend the youth group full of a small bunch of rowdy, lively young people. As an outsider coming in, at first I felt a bit intrusive to their tight-knit community, but even after the first night, I felt so welcomed there. All of the kids kept running around, talking to me, playing with my hair, jumping on my back, holding my hand. I can't say that that was the most graceful acceptance into a youth group I've had before, but i definitely knew that it was there way of saying that I belonged. A child knows you care about them if you remember their name. Our names are our spoken identity, and it speaks volumes if you can remember a child's name. Whenever I see the students on Sunday at church, I try to call them by name and engage them in conversation about their week, and even sit with them through the service. When I see a youth at church who I haven't seen at youth group, I go up to them and ask them their name and try to get them to come out to youth group, even if that means talking to their parents. Last week I got the chance to lead a small group of girls, roughly grades 6 and 7. I got to go around and learn different things about them before we started our chat about life and faith. It is definitely going to be a challenge working with these girls, but I know that God has placed me in this church to make an impact, and that is what I'm planning to do!

As I get to know Warmland and its members more and more, I continue to see God's hand of blessing everywhere. Putting me in this church was no mistake and as I continue to serve and connect with the body of Christ all around me, I grow in my love for his people and am able to give back what I have been given. Even when I'm so far away from home, these people feel like family, and I'm so glad that I am able to be used by Christ in this way.
"Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God." - Eph. 5:1-2
Rachael, thanks for sharing your experiences thus far of how you are intentionally building relationships with the youth in your church. You are growing in godly character as you find purposeful ways to reach out and serve with a genuine love. It's also nice to hear how the church has been intentionally reaching out to you. I look forward to hear more of how God will use you in the months to come as these relationships and your role at Warmland deepen.
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