Why OCSP13?

So here's the thing, last summer I had no idea I would be where I currently am today. What?!?! Yeah, it's true. Last summer I went to Germany for half the summer to spend time with my sister and her family. I absolutely loved it over there and was amazed at how much I loved living in another part of the world and loved learning about the culture. I already thought this would be true because I felt the exact same way during the vision trip to Buenos Aires, Argentina I got to be a part of last spring. Imagine me coming back from the summer, loving life, loving traveling, loving adventure, knowing God has called me to full time ministry/missions, and wondering where I should go the next summer for summer project with Cru. Of course I came back thinking INTERNATIONAL! It makes sense right? I could have a mini view of what living in another country as a missionary would look like. I came back from my summer pumped for my next summer abroad, but God had different plans.

Immediately after I got back from Germany, I started doing ministry on my campus (Sac State). It was amazing. My passion for the lost at Sac State was huge. I couldn't believe how much I was enjoying doing follow ups with several girls and launching the Bible study I was blessed to lead this year. I started seeing the huge need at Sac State, and I realized I needed to pray about where God wanted me to go for summer project. I started praying intently about it, and I felt like He was saying no about going international. I was so bummed! I seriously sat there saying "Seriously God! Why?" I didn't understand why I couldn't go; why I didn't feel a release to apply to go international. All I kept hearing was Him saying, "Laura look at the need here, I want you to learn to have a passion for the lost amongst your peers." OH! Dang that got to me. You see I do have a passion for the lost, and I have lived my life always having a personal ministry. But sometimes, we all need to be revamped.

I began to ask God where He would want me to go. Sometimes I am a little selfish, and I kept saying, "God where do you want me to go? I know you want me to stay stateside, but I really don't want to go to Santa Monica. I know my friends just had an amazing summer there, but for some reason, I just don't want to go there." I kept asking God where He wanted me to go, but I didn't hear anything. So I waited.

A little while later, I took my friend out for her birthday dinner, and I told her about how I was feeling called to go on a stateside summer project, but I didn't know where to go. I didn't feel called to go to Santa Monica. She very excitedly started suggesting Ocean City, NJ. Immediately I was all OH YEAH!!! I had heard about her Ocean City Summer Project experience the previous year, and I completely forgot about how excited I was when I had heard hers and the other students who went's stories. It was in this moment when everything became very clear. I was stoked about a stateside project, FINALLY! I wanted to go to Ocean City, NJ, and when I prayed about it, God did not say No. In fact, I believe this was and is exactly where He wanted me to go. I just had to wait for Him to show me where He wanted  me to go in His timing, not mine.

God has been proving to me that He did/does want me to go to Ocean City this summer. First off, I was accepted to OCSP13. Second, He is supplying the money to get me there. Third, He has already set up two job interviews for me when I get over there! I AM SO EXCITED!! All I have heard is how amazing summer projects are, and I can't wait to experience my very first one. I am praying for God to change me this summer and to break my heart for the lost. I am preparing myself every day by digging into His Word and praying for this coming summer, for everyone going on the project. I am praying for God to do big things, and I trust that He will. Please pray with me that God will change lives while the team I am going with and I are over there. Please pray for everyone to be able to raise the money needed to get us there. I/We serve an amazing God, who is always faithful. I can't wait to see what He does this summer to bring His name glory!!! HE>i. John3:30 "He must increase, but I must decrease." Please be praying that verse for me and the OCSP13 team this summer. God deserves all the glory.