Edge Summer Program
Continuing our first-hand look into the experiences of Edgies from Summer Edge 2014, we take a look at three more people whose lives were touched and eyes opened in very different ways.
Katherine focuses on people, but more specifically, compassion, both in her approach to those God put in her path and God’s compassion towards His creation.
Katherine : “My time in Altea with Edge Project was as a blink of the eye this summer; the daily routine enabled our team to encounter people who were in need of being seen and loved – reaching out a hand of compassion or an ear to listen. By integrating ourselves into the Spanish culture, we came with the message of God’s faithfulness and love, yet we were taught by the very people we were called to serve.”
And regarding His work in each of our lives…”To me, a mosaic represents art patiently rendered from fragments of brokenness, that in their individual form appear to be nothing more than ordinary, yet when arranged by the master’s hand, it is made beautiful. We might not be able to recognize what is being created as each piece is placed, yet when patience, love and an eye for transformation are given time, the mosaic reveals a work beyond our wildest imaginings. I think God demonstrates His exquisite patience in seeing us in our state of brokenness as having the potential to be made lovely, by allowing our stories, the talents and gifts that He has imparted in us to become adopted into a kingdom perspective. Each piece has value. All are welcome.”
God’s making a mosaic out of our lives
Gracie takes a look back on the friendships that were kindled – friends who were made from all corners of the world, converging on the little town of Altea, Spain.
Gracie: “I love how Europe is so closely knit and how it continues to tie together the cultural divides by bringing young travelers from country to country. This year I met Sneha and Sejal, two Nepalese girls. Sneha is just a year younger than I am and her cousin, Sejal, is nine years old. I met these two girls within minutes before one of our gallery openings and invited them to join us. Despite the language barrier, these two girls (and Sneha’s aunt) came and enjoyed our group and took dozens and dozens of pictures with us. I didn’t notice we had made an impact until Sneha began posting about the “new friends I’ve made” on Instagram and Facebook. Our small friendship is such a lovely assurance that the Spirit inside us is beaming with His light.”
Amy takes a very philosophical view as she reflects on the history of the Catholic Church and how it has effected the lives of the Spaniards on very deep levels.
Amy: “While here, I went to a Catholic mass. The Catholic Church is not seen in a positive light here. They are blamed for so much religious and political persecution. As I sat in the pew, listening cluelessly to the quick paced, microphone muffled Spanish, I felt the overwhelming sense of devotion from the people; devotion to God, devotion to prayer; devotion to the church. Devotion is something that takes on a negative connotation in much of the United States, but while sitting in mass, it occurred to me that devotion means the most in the face of opposition. I cannot understand how deeply hurt and ostracized the Spanish Catholics must feel. Devotion in the face of that is incredible.”
To read more first-hand accounts, click here
