Jared- Day 2

Today we made it to the island! After a very restful night we got up and headed to the airport. We got off to St. Thomas without a hitch. We drove to the ferry to make it across to St. John, and two of our jeeps got on the ferry, leaving one jeep and the truck with all of our luggage behind. John and Scott managed to squeeze the last jeep on the ferry, but not the luggage truck. We barely made it to the church in time to get in, set up, and begin the service. Jeff, Doug and I did the worship songs. Anna did some special music, and Allie and Hunter shared their testimonies. The night went great and we headed to dinner after the church service. I really had wished that we could have been here for Sunday morning, but God knows the plans He has for us. It was very sad seeing Pastor Jauggernauth’s wife and daughter, but they seemed happy just to be there and that the church was still doing okay.
At dinner my table played a game called “If you really knew me” in which we would go around the circle saying “If you really knew me, you would know that….” And something interesting about ourselves. I really enjoyed that part of the day, because I had the opportunity to get to know some of the people in our group better than I had before. I am definitely relying on Jesus to get me through this week. I have frustrations and irritations that I have to lay before Him, and it’s hard but it will be good in the end. As John spoke about tonight, discipline is almost never pleasant, but it is painful. However, it will yield results. I guess this week my struggle is to keep my eyes solely on the purpose for being here, and not to be distracted by other thoughts or people or feelings or anything else. I have still be pleased with the attitude of the group as a whole. Everyone generally goes with the flow and is pretty relaxed. I’ll admit, its hard to come off of Chicago, where I was a significant leader of 60 some odd students and go to St. John where I feel like I should say or lead, but realize that I need to allow someone else to. Leadership isn’t everything. Part of leadership is allowing yourself to be led. I don’t even know if that makes sense, but it does in my head. Keep praying for us please!