Pausing and Counting the Blessings
by Phul Maya Rasaily, Kids Ministry Manager, Ministry Apprentice
I can’t believe my two year apprenticeship program at Mission Adelante is coming to an end this December. Throughout these two years, I have been blessed in so many different ways and have been given so many opportunities to grow in leadership. I was able to lead the Arts Community, Refugee Kids Club, Co-lead LIT, volunteer in the Refugee Youth club, lead this past year’s summer interns and Arts Camp. I have not only been blessed with all these leadership opportunities but also with life-giving friendships.
I am extremely thankful and blessed for all the staff at Mission Adelante for their support and friendship. I am grateful for my supervisor Gissell and for Yanelis, Megan, Ashley and Laxmi. This group of ladies have not only supported me in the work field but also in my personal life. I am thankful as well for the friendship that I have built with Anjana and Nalim because they have been a strong support in my life this year.They have encouraged me to trust in God in the midst of uncertainty and to hold on to my faith. They have prayed for me and checked on me when I had a lot going on in my personal life. I value their relationship and consider them a blessing in my life.
I was also able to build good relationships with program participants and their parents. Every time I met with the kids in the program, they automatically brought a smile to my face and brightened my day. Every word of encouragement that a kid's parent gave me, I valued it a lot. I am thankful and wanted to thank all the parents for trusting us by sending their kids to the programs even during these difficult times. Even though I personally had some difficult situations, the blessings while serving at Mission Adelante helped bring balance and I thank God for that.
I have been constantly working and haven’t had a chance to sit back and count all these blessings. Blessings came in so many different ways. Some of them came in the way that I had expected and some came out in unexpected ways. When I joined the apprenticeship program two years ago, I was a little nervous but super excited to have the opportunity to be a part of something that was always in my heart. Throughout these two years, I have been blessed in so many different ways.