July

So, I am officially in my last couple of weeks in my internship. This week, I give a devotional to the seniors during their luncheon on Tuesday, we will end Kids Club on Wednesday, and will celebrate Independence Day (at least I will...). Next week I am with another ministry that DB is running here in Zurich. The week after that, I am in a summer camp. That week, I probably will not have WiFi since we are going to be in the woods and actually camping with tents and everything, so I will have to post when I get back. Then, I only have two days left in Switzerland before I leave for Italy. Where has the time gone?

After Thursday, I will have celebrated two American holidays in another country. I have missed July 4th a couple of times in the past (from Summit camp and Cincinnati Mission Trip), but I have never been in another country while this holiday occurred. So, I am bringing a lot of my American charm to Switzerland come Thursday. I already have a playlist of patriotic songs, a menu planned out for the day, and just a lot of America.

I have to take the time to explain why I am doing this. I am a proud American. We are known for our patriotism and national pride. Being in a different country has allowed me to see America from a different set of eyes than the ones from the South. With all the turmoil in the States right now, many people do not see any hope for my/their country. The election is coming and I do not think anyone in America is ready for it. We have a bunch of babbling baboons (thanks, Professor McGonagall) trying to say what they want for this country. They run other themselves and others on the stage that no one even gets a word in. I am not talking just about one party here. When we can all come to the table and discuss civilly what our differences are, what we all think, and come to compromises, then that is when this country will grow. However, the country will not really flourish until it accepts Jesus the Christ back into its borders. We push and push and God allows it because we have the free will, but we need to use this will to pray for forgiveness. I do not trust my government the way a person should be able to. I do not completely trust my Commander in Chief. I fully trust God in his plan, but my government is not God and they are from him. The President is not my or America's Savior; that is solely Jesus the Christ.

We shout from our computer screens what we believe but when typing becomes action, a lot of us fall back and retreat to our computer screens. If we all call to a cause, then let us not only be a part of that cause behind a screen but also let us live it out in our real lives. So, volunteer at that Women's Center, help that Vet office, clean the roads and rivers, do something! If we all sit down and think others will do it, then nothing will get done and we will all fall apart.

This is why I am in Switzerland. I believe in the cause of Christ and I went. I believe in America and I go. I believe in Life and I volunteer. What do you believe in? How do you show it so others know?

I am proud to be an American, but I am disheartened by its trajectory and pace. The only leader that will turn the country around is Jesus Christ and we elect him by inviting him in our hearts. No man or woman can turn this country around without this country coming to Christ first.

Glory be to God and may he bless these United States of America.