some final thoughts - part one

what a different semester. different than any other college semester i've had.

in so many ways, this internship felt more natural than school. maybe it's because it was in raleigh, my home town, or that i've been involved with LIFTED before this semester, or because many of my dear friends are the work force behind LIFTED. maybe its because i finally was DOING (versus learning about) things i wanted to do and apply my schoolwork to. i think the best word to describe it would be natural.

but it wasn't without challenge. seeing the inner workings of a cooperative which depends on a parent non-profit was eye-opening. with it comes a whole set of stresses. how do we gain the support of the general public? how do we make this an effective event about the global epidemic of human trafficking in a place where people are so comfortable in their own houses, families, cars, and jobs, so seemingly far away from the problem?

in my mind, how could we connect those two things, while also having a gospel-centered event, which LIFTED is called and committed to doing? at first, my thoughts were... how do you have a benefit event about human trafficking and make it a call to Christ? wouldn't people be turned off and turn away from the problem?

the thing i learned most this semester is that WE are the problem. humans. even if we are turned off by hearing "trafficking" and "Jesus" in the same sentence and we turn around and walk away, the problem of human trafficking isn't across the ocean. it's IN us. every human is capable of chaos and catastrophy within themselves. because i want to be involved in some capacity in a ministry-based non profit, i think this was an important lesson for me to learn. whether it's trafficking, homelessness, hunger, prostitution, poverty, whatever.... Jesus. it goes together. it's a hard thing for me in my intellect to understand, but i am glad it was worked through this semester.