EMERGE and Next Step 2012

 Okay, a couple of months behind...but better late than never!

So, at the end of May we welcomed the first two of our summer EMERGE interns and spent several days with them to orientate them and just get to know them.

Jessica, from Virginia, and Garrett, from Texas. As you can see in the foto, they quickly developed an interesting relationship! Ha ha, just kidding, but we did have a lot of fun together before Garret went to serve for 5 weeks at an orphanage outside of Santiago, Atitlán, while Jessica went to serve at Casita Benjamín.

Jessica & Garrett - Fruit salad

Immediately after we placed them in their ministry locations, our group from Louisiana arrived (see earlier post). Then the day after we sent the team home, our second group of interns arrived for orientation.

We had Emily from Texas, Ashley from Minnesota, Jasmine from California & Kelly from Arkansas.

During their orientation we hosted the "Excursión Familiar" (see previous post) which they were able to help us with!

Emily, Ashley, Jasmine & Kelly

After 5 days together Emily and Ashley went to serve at El Oasis home for girls, while Jasmine & Kelly joined Jessica at Casita Benjamín.

Every year we have a great time with our interns, watching the Lord work in them as they serve others. This year was no exception and I can't say they were the best group we have had, every group has been good, but I can say we haven't had a better group. Emily and Garrett even made us believers in A&M.

WHOOP!

Hanging out at El Oasis

 At the end of their time we got them all back together for a couple of days to "de-brief" as a group and share stories before we all left on July 8th for Denton, Texas and our Next Step program where we gather all of our Camino Global EMERGE interns from four different fields together. This year we had interns serving in Guatemala (YEAH), Honduras, Mexico and Spain.

Next Step has sessions with all of us together, and we also have several smaller breakout groups to go deeper. It is a processing time and a 'where do we go from here?' and 'what can I do with this now?' time.

Plus some time to relax and just have a little fun!

Next Step 2012

Sandi and I were super impressed with all of the interns this year from each field. A group of young people very committed to serving the Lord and we saw many that were hugely impacted by their service.

As always, it was hard to say goodbyes. The interns had bonded and struggled with leaving each other yet at the same time were excited to go home and see family and share their experiences!