Kacey Porter
Tahoe Resort Ministries
Well since I have arrived in Tahoe I have not stopped learning and working. Orientation lasted about 2 weeks and was interactive, informative, and interesting to see how things work around here. I have also not stopped having fun. God’s creation here is absolutely breathtaking and when you are here surrounded by mountains a gorgeous blue lake you realize how small you are in comparison to God. I love my local supervisor; she is so passionate about what she does and doesn’t let anything slow her down. One of the first days I was here, she told us her life motto, it’s so true, and God is using it to transform my life like no other. Her motto is: “Life is not about me. Life is about God. Life is about giving ourselves away to the high glory of God.” Boy, did I need to here that and God has been showing me how it is all about others and telling others about Him, nothing else matters. Here in Tahoe these people are very laid back and go with whatever comes their way. Many of them have heard the name Jesus or God but they don’t know what He has done for them. So here in Tahoe, yes, it is about the kids, but it’s also about the parents. We are trying to point them to Christ too not just their children. All day everyday is about kids here and I wouldn’t have it any other way. My team including me is made up of 13 girls. These girls are wonderful and it’s neat to watch us all grow in Christ as sisters. My time here has and is going fast and I don’t ever want to leave. I love it here and my time is spent very well. I am always busy and there is always work to be done around here. During orientation we helped with the before and after school program called A+ because the kids here were still in school. On June 16, Big A Club began. Big A Club is like VBS. We have morning rally, music, recreation, Bible story, crafts, and a whole lot of fun. We also do A+ in the summer before and after Big A Club. Each day at Big A Club there is some special event planned some days we go on field trip in Tahoe with the children. Those are so much fun or we may even have a carnival right here at the church. We have a whole calendar full of summer fun plus all the other activities I mentioned. So that is how things work here in Tahoe.
The children here are so sweet. Each one has taken piece of my heart. One little four year old boy with curly hair named Seth holds a big piece of my heart. One day I asked him if he wanted to come to Tennessee with me, and he said yep then I said ‘I love you’ and he said ‘love you’ with his big eyes and big smile! Then one day he reached over and held my hand in music and he constantly crawls in my lap. He is so sweet and each time I look in his face I see my God and how wonderful He is. These kids here just need love and someone to play with them. Yes, they misbehave but correcting them all day is not fun for them or you so you have to let some things that are little slide. My whole four-year-old Little Lions class is wonderful and so helpful and attentive in Bible Story time. Another thing I have learned here is: ‘What is the worst way to teach a Bible Story?’ ‘The same way you did yesterday.’ I look forward to more summer fun and God moments with these kids.
God has also been growing and teaching me personally. Not only is it not about me but He is showing me more and more how missions is the plan He has for my life. I asked God before I came here this summer to clearly show me His will and where I need to be in it. I have a passion for special needs kids and occupational therapy, but I know I am called into missions and I have surrendered to that call on December 13, 2009. Well the first night we worked with the kids was on Parent’s Night Out and I worked with the little ones. Well this little boy who is five comes in and I looked at Him and it clicked. He had all the features of Down syndrome. Since I have been shadowing a Pediatric Occupational Therapist, I knew things he would and wouldn’t be able to do and helped him. At one point, it’s as if everything faded away and it was this little boy and me and God. In that moment god told me in my hear t that I can do occupational therapy and missions and that is what He wants to do through me and how He wants to use me to further His kingdom. I started tearing up and was so grateful that God would want to use me and my desires in my life for Him. God has been showing me for quite some time but I still was unsure and didn’t fully trust Him till that night. Then on Sunday mornings, I get to work with a girl that goes to this church. She is three and has Cerebral Palsy. Once again, God continues to show me that this is His will for me.
Continue to pray for the people of Tahoe that they would see Jesus and realize their need for Him in their life. Pray for my team that we will continue to bond and grow in Christ. And continue to pray for me to grow in Christ in way I never thought possible because I am growing in ways I never thought possible and I want to continue to grown in Him and serve Him the rest of my life.
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