Isabel.

This is my sweet friend Isabel. She's a little different from the other 5th graders that I know, but she sure is special. Isabel was in Jenna's class this school year, but wasn't around much because she spent a lot of time with specialists working one on one with her to make sure she was able to do her absolute best at school. When 5th graders got invited to WyldLife club and campaigners I was the one who ended up picking up Isabel week after week. At first I was super frustrated with the situation. Car rides were quiet and awkward. We found out she was neglecting to tell her mom where she was going and was therefore getting in trouble. She would call me 5 or 6 times in one afternoon before club or campaigners but not really have anything to say. I way consistently frustrated and fed-up with the whole deal, I wasn't convinced that she actually comprehended club talks or campaigners lessons and didn't see the value of driving way out of my way to pick her up.

Then I read a sermon by the ever knowledgable Spurgeon that said something along the lines of don't underestimate the ability of children to comprehend the gospel. Sure, Isabel couldn't really read every word in her bible, but did that mean she was incapable of understanding who Jesus was, what he did for her, and how much her father in heaven loves her? Of course not. She just won't necessarily manifest that knowledge in the same way as other kids, but I'm confident that she's able to understand it.

Equipped with this knowledge and a reminder that my job is to love people, pray for people, and present the gospel clearly my attitude toward Isabel began to change. As I spent more time with her I was able to figure out what worked and what didn't. I made sure to answer each phone call with a smile and think about what Jesus would do each and every time this girl called - he would definitely smile. A lot. I quickly learned that she just really enjoyed being around, so I made sure to make that happen.

As I prepare to head off to summer staff I'm actually pretty sad to leave Isabel for the month. My weekly car rides with her have become a time of great joy and something I will dearly miss while I'm away in New York. I didn't sign up to be a Capernaum leader, I didn't sign up to have to deal with kids with special needs, kids that we different than other kids - but I kind of did actually. I signed up to love kids for Jesus and like Jesus, and that means all the kids.

I'm supposed to be Isabel's leader, the one that teaches her things about the Lord, but in all reality she has taught be SO much. She's taught me so much patience, that loving people is hard, but when you keep at it and don't give up on them little things begin to all work out. She's reminded me that a relationship with Jesus looks different for everyone and that there's no one right way to love him. And she has definitely taught me that anyone and everyone is capable of comprehending the gospel.

You'll never see this, but thanks for being awesome, Isabel!