Make Today Count.

Good Day Mates :) Hope you are all doing well as you sit down to read this. Life is treating me very well here in North Myrtle. I am much busier than I ever imagined I would be but I am loving every second of it! This past week was the "All for One" week and it was a blast. The week is all about building community and communication for students so when staff leave it'll be smooth sailing. I was blown out of the water by how amazing the students did at being all for one. They truly came together and it was glorious! During our Monday Bible study during the all for one week we talked about a passage from Mark that really shows the importance of being together. The passage is Mark 3:23-26  

["So Jesus called them over to him and began to speak to them in parables: "How can Satan drive out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. IF a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come."] 


This was a really cool passage to go over during all for one week because it made things really clear for the students because really: if a body is divided it cannot stand. As a summer project we are one big body and if we are not for each other/together then we will inevitably fall. Ultimately we would fail. I remember reading this passage last year during this week and it really hitting me. No matter what was going to happen, hard times and happy times, we had to stick together. If we could just stick together we would carry each other through and we would succeed. Well last year we did it, we stuck together; we truly became a project family! This summer I can already see it happening. The students on summer project are so tight and they show each care, love and respect so well. I have no doubt in my mind that they will truly succeed after the staff leave. Although I really don't want to leave at all I am very excited to see what they are going to do. This summer project has and will continue to do big things! I have no doubt. 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now we are in our "World Vision" week. This. Is. My. Favorite. Week. FAVORITE! I'm sure you are all wondering why? Why is this my favorite week? Well, let me tell you :) I love the world. I think my excitement for the world REALLY hit hard last summer during the World Vision week actually. I have always had some slight curiosity about the world and different cultures. Growing up I got a glimpse of what another culture looks like because I had a rad dad who wasn't born or raised in the United States. It wasn't a huge deal during my younger years/in high school because I was really content living the Northern Minnesota dream but I still loved to hear stories of where my dad grew up so it was kind of there. Last year though was for sure when it really hit me, and I got excited. 
 So what does this excitement for the world look like in terms of ministry? Well it can mean a lot of different things. For me though, I think it means doing some sort of over seas missionary work. :) For many of you reading, that last statement could mean a lot of different things; so let me clarify. I really want to go to the world with the Gospel and share the hope that I have in my Faith. Many of you reading may think that was a bold statement to insert ever so subtly in a blog post but here's the reality behind my heart: I don't think it's fair to keep information from others. That being said there are so many people all over the world who have never heard of Jesus or of what He did on the cross (the Gospel). That also being said I don't want to shove my beliefs down people's throats. No way! Just like the conversations I am having here in North Myrtle Beach I want to converse with people on different continents. I want to have conversations all over the nations! Doesn't it sound like a glorious thing to do with my time?! I literally get so excited when thinking about it! :) I'd also love to give back to people in the process of sharing the Gospel, whether that be teaching or building houses or whatever! Uffda, as I write this my heart is just filled with excitement and joy and hope! I think that sums up my excitement for the world pretty well (hopefully it made sense). 
During World Vision week here on summer project we show case our 5 partnerships: 4th Journey, East Asia, Australia, France, Ghana, and Uruguay. We do some different breakout sessions so students can learn more about the countries and about what ministry looks like in those countries vs. here in the US. It's really cool to see students realize that there are actually people in other countries and the compassion that starts to grow in their hearts. REALLY COOL! 
But yah, that's basically what is going on/what has happened since my last post. I am really enjoying my time down here and super sad that it wraps up in exactly one week. I have been so blessed to be here and really want to thank my supporters! If you are reading this I want you to know that I really am so thankful for you! Without my support team I wouldn't be here, literally. You are all amazing and I just can't say thank you enough. I would also love to keep you all updated with my ministry once I get back to school. "How?" you ask: WELL If you would like to keep hearing about the things going on you can continue to read the blog and/or comment on this post and I will get your email so I can send email updates to all of you :)
Okay! I've typed and gone on long enough. Thanks so much for reading! 
Love & Until Next Time, 
Setareh 
p.s. Hey Mom and Dad! Love you :)