Thanksgiving with a Brit!

About two weeks ago, I wrote about a Disney intern I met at Disney. Her name is Meena. During our conversation, I learned she felt like she had not fully experienced American culture. After a while, I decided to extend an invitation to Meena to spend Thanksgiving with me and my roomates. I wasn't sure she would accept, but I hoped she would. I remembered the kindness and hospitality French people showed to me when I was living in France and wanted to do the same for Meena.

To my happy surprise, Meena decided to come! The night before Thanksgiving, I picked up Meena from her apartment and we went grocery shopping for Thanksgiving deserts! We made apple pie and chocolate pilgrim hat cookies. Thanksgiving morning, we watched the Macy’s parade with friends. Around lunchtime, we joined my roommate’s church in hosting a Thanksgiving lunch for people who live in a trailer park. We made the kids gospel bracelets. It was so cool to watch Meena, who is still seeking a personal relationship with God, explain to the kids the meaning behind the gospel bracelets. On our way home, Meena shared that she liked giving back to the community.

Me and Meena at the trailer park Thanksgiving outreach.

After we watched some football and took a nap, we headed to my friend’s home for dinner. One of the other guests there was a woman named Bryn. She was so warm, welcoming and engaging. It was apparent she is a woman of God because as she spoke with us, I could see the Holy Spirit using her to love and care for Meena by asking intriguing questions. I even felt like I walked away from the conversation, wanting to know God on a deeper level. Later when we got home, Meena brought up some of the things we had talked about with Bryn and we were able to discuss them further – grace, not being perfect, God’s work in our lives.

Meena and me with our apple pie!

I so enjoyed the time I spent with Meena over the Thanksgiving break. It made me take a fresh look and why we celebrate. It was also just fun to hang out with Meena - she is a very sweet girl. Tonight, we are going out to dinner together to the American restaurant The Cheesecake Factory at her request :)

Thanksgiving Outreach

Man, this past Saturday was a long and full day! We hosted Thanksgiving for the international Disney interns. We had 110 people feast and celebrate this holiday of appreciation. 85 internationals were there and of them, 17 were European -- 10 FRENCH PEOPLE!!! I was honestly amazed!

In our time spent at Disney, we as the European team, have had a hard time building relationships with the interns outside of Disney. They are very friendly and happy to see us when we come to their pavilion during the week, but usually are unavailable or uninterested in hanging out apart from Disney. So, we as the European team were so excited that so many Europeans came to this event.

One of my jobs was to drive interns to and from the event. There and back, I drove a couple French interns. On the way back, our conversation led to sharing the gospel! One of the girls was asking me where I work - which lead to explaining Cru, and Campus Crusade for Christ International - which lead to telling them about Cru in France/Europe which is called Life Agape - which lead to me trying to explain the word Agape - which went into a verrrry brief lesson of the Greek word - which lead to using it in an example = the Agape (unconditional love) of God through sending His Son to pay for our sins. It was cool :)

God's faithfulness - Pray BIG or go home.

God is just so good, faithful and wants to invest in the lives of His children.

Last week, before our Friday Disney day, I was praying for God to do something big. In the past, these Friday's have been pretty good, but I've felt myself relying on my own abilities to engage in conversations with interns. In realizing that, I feel that the "fruits of my labor" have been small. I have a BIG God, so why not fully rely on HIS abilities?

I kid you not, the first conversation of the day that I had, God blew me away. I met a girl named Meena who is from the UK and has been interning for 9 months. In our conversation, she shared with me about her families spiritual background - her dad is Buddhist and her mom is Catholic. She does not specifically identify with either, but acknowledges there is a God.

"So, is it easy for you?" she asked, regarding my journey of being a Christ follower. It seemed to be an opportunity for me to share my story with her and briefly explain the gospel. She was intrigued and wants to meet up for coffee sometime this coming week! I am thankful God has given me another international friend!

Distance Coaching Conference

This past month, I was assigned to be the conference administrator for a group of about 40. I worked with the conference speaker/host on the pre-conference tasks like creating the registration website, booking the hotel rooms and organizing meals. I liked doing this because I feel it got my "feet wet" to real conference planning.

These leaders came to Cru head quarters for Distance Coaching Training. Via Skype, email and over the phone, these leaders coach students and volunteers to lead movements of evangelism and discipleship on their campuses. Since these campuses don’t have full time staff, they depend on the leadership of students and volunteers. The coaching they receive is very important for impacting the lives of students involved in these new and growing ministries!

Something my supervisor has said before, '...the work we do in conference and event planning, sends missionaries, who build movements and leaders that fulfill the great commission.' Working on this conference has helped me see that.

French Friends

A few weeks ago, I missed a Disney friday due to an event at headquarters. A week or so later, I had a Disney "make-up" day on a Wednesday with a teammate, Evangeline and her daughter Annada. Usually, I never go on Wednesdays!

I ate lunch at the Paris pavilion and ended up meeting a french girl named Pauline. She studied at a university near by and came back to American for the Disney intern program. I mentioned to her I had just moved back from France and wanted to practice my french! Sort of hinting at the idea of hanging out :) I think she caught on because she said "If I wanted to hang out with French people, I would move back to France. I want to meet more Americans!"

We ended up exchanging phone numbers and I invited her to the Halloween party. Unfortunately, she was working late that night and couldn't come. A few days after the party, she texted me and invited me to hang out! I was pretty excited because this was the first intern I've met who has shown an interest in hanging out OUTSIDE of when I see them at Disney. I drove to Disney, picked her up at her apartment and we went out to a restaurant to chat about life. She is a honest person and not afraid to share her views. She speaks English really well! We talked about fun things to do in Orlando, making friends, dating - which lead to what qualities we look for in guys, and eventually the topic of marriage! She told me about her job and asked about mine. It was interesting for me to explain to her about support raising and that my job wants me to stay. On my way home, after I dropped her off at her place, Pauline sent me a text thanking me for hanging and hoping to again soon!

Pauline is also kind of an answer to prayer because when I found out I was accepted to YearOne, I prayed I would meet a French girl who would want to be my friend. I am excited to spend more time with her as the year continues.

Point 'N Shoot: First Post

Point 'N Shoot: First Post

Doesn't this sound like fun? Who's with me? It's not to late to join!