When I was a sophomore in high school, I went on a Christian weekend retreat called Chrysalis. The people that I met there are some of the most real people that I have ever known in my life. They have shown me Christ through their actions. I told myself that until I completely understood the depth of God's love for me, I would continue to go back. 7 1/2 years later, I am still active in this community and have only begun to scratch at the surface of what it means to be loved by God. I am drawn to the realness of the friends that I have made there. These people come as they are; broken and torn, wanting only to serve their God. This community of people has been one of the biggest influences on my faith and my views about servanthood.

I never feel like I have to "fake it" or to be something that I'm not to be accepted, I just have to be real. I don't have to have my act together to come to Jesus. He wants all of me, including the not so great parts. It's okay if I don't have all the answers or all of my life figured out. What matters is that Jesus loves me, and therefore these people love me. I believe that Jesus has no hands but those of his followers. My friends in the Chrysalis community have shown me what it truly means to be the hands and feet of Christ. They have been human skin on God's love for me.

I believe the best way I can show my love for God is by loving his people. I know that I am broken and not even close to being qualified for this calling, yet Christ has asked me to give everything. I believe that the greatest thing I can do to show people Jesus, is to love and accept them for who they are. I believe that I have been called to have a servant's heart, now I just need to figure out how to truly put others before myself. Peru is where I am supposed to be for this time in my life. I have no idea why God has laid Peru on my heart, but I believe that he is going to allow me to witness his splendor this summer and be a part of something much greater than myself. For me, What it all boils down to is this: Love God, Love People.