Two Weeks of Sweet Connection
Hi I’m Olivia! This summer I was a two-week intern with Salt Ventures, helping with VBS and Olympic Games camps. I was nervous at first going somewhere so far without knowing what to expect. However, my worries quickly faded away when I met the people I was serving alongside who instantly made me a part of their family.
When I reflect on what the Lord did during my two weeks in Bulgaria, I am always left in awe of his goodness. He not only touched the hearts of the kids, but also touched me as I grew and was used in new ways. The first week of camp in Bresnik completely changed my perspectives and truly humbled me. The Lord made so many sweet connections possible between the kids and me, despite the language barrier. We danced, sang songs, made TikToks, took several pictures, and played lots of games. We talked about family, friends, hobbies, shared laughs and jokes, cheered each other on during the Olympic Games, walked around their beautiful town, and became good friends. I’m grateful for the opportunities to show them the joy and peace of Jesus. There is nothing quite like being surrounded by kids so full of open hearts, happiness, and contentment. The Lord taught me in a new way how to rely on him in physical, social, and mental exhaustion. He taught me to turn to him before anything else when I needed rest and patience.
The second week in Tran, a small student ministry group from Wheaton came to serve with us. This week, the Lord showed me calm and beauty in chaos. With so many more kids and volunteers, the week was way more hectic. However, God got glory in the chaos of meeting new kids, teaching them new games, throwing balls, having conversations about God, learning about their town, giving hugs and high fives, and ultimately showing them the heart of Jesus. In Tran, I got to have a conversation with a teenage girl about what it means to have a personal relationship with Jesus. I was able to encourage her to go to the Father when she feels down or upset because he offers the best comfort and strength.
She shared her family story and struggles with bullying, and I got the chance to share some of my testimony from my own experiences with bullying. I am so grateful the Lord made it possible to have such a deep conversation with her.
The unity God displayed to us these weeks was a beautiful representation of Ephesians 4:4-6, “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” We all came from different families, towns, contexts, and cultures but we serve one God. He is the same no matter the conversation, place, or relationship. Even when I couldn’t relate to a kid about anything, I knew that the same God created us and was there making a friendship possible. He is beautiful and vast in the ways he works. I am forever thankful I got to be part of a trip that left an impact on these towns and refined me deeper.
