I want to start off my last post by reminiscing for a second. I remember Sunday night before I went to sleep I had a conversation with Emily. She asked me if I would miss everybody a lot and I answered her that I honestly probably wouldn't a ton. Not because I didn't love my new family, but because I've never really missed people a ton when I was away (with some exceptions). I thought saying goodbye would be just like any other camp I've been to. We did our work together and now it's time to go home. I think that's part of the camp experience is knowing that you'll return at the end of it. I was wrong though. It's hard to summarize a whole summer in this short post, but I really consider my Union team part of my family. We may have gotten irritated with each other at times, but we served together, cried together, and fought together. This wasn't the normal type of fighting either. This was fighting for the souls of the lost and there is no greater fight out there. This was fighting for the broken hearted. This was fighting to break through our own faults and failures. Looking back, I'm going to miss this team because we were all willing to serve and they have taught me so much.
So the last week of camp I was determined not to let my ministry suffer because it was the last week. We had to do some inventory stuff during the week, but I still got to have a lot of intentional conversations with students. I was reminded just how real struggles are for younger students. You wouldn't really think that a 6-8 grader could have so much addiction or pain in their life just by looking at them. I can only imagine the pain that my classmates go through and do I really take every opportunity I get to know them or minister to them? Not really. Whenever I go to class I usually just take my seat, maybe say hey to a couple of people I know, and get ready for the lecture. My classmates are a part of my mission field.
Since this is my last post about my summer working for Centri-Fuge, it would be a good place for me to recap things that I've learned. I've learned that you don't have to go to seminary to be used by God and work in His ministry. I saw some friends who are going to seminary or plan on attending be used by God and I saw plenty of people who didn't be used by Him as well. I was praying that God would show me my future this summer and He's shown me part of it. I don't feel led to go to seminary, but I'm still not 100% sold on graduate school. That's always been my plan, but if God has some mission work for me to do then I need to do it. Whenever we serve God, He doesn't call us to give up of ourselves partially. He calls for us to give up EVERYTHING. If what we do is easy then we are doing it completely wrong. How many of us could look at our lives and honestly say that we're giving God everything? 100%? The "first fruits of our labor"? I know I can't and that needs to change.
I've learned how to operate on even less sleep than I normally get during school so that'll help once classes start haha. I've learned a lot about teaching a Bible Study and discipleship as well. I can't wait to get back to Fayetteville to live with my church. I want to see them grow so much and I want to continue to grow as well. I'm excited about being a Peer Mentor this semester because I get to just talk to new students and try to minister to them. This next semester is going to be an incredible one for me and I would like to ask for your prayers in leading whether that be in Bible Study, worship, or work. Thank you so much for your prayers for me throughout the summer. My team and I really do appreciate it and let me know how I can pray for you!
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged. for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9
In Love,
Bill Bouillon
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Sunday, July 15, 2012
A Summer in Jackson-Centrifuge #8
Week 6 of 7 is complete and all I have to say is, "Wow." So many decisions were made this week and it was such an awesome experience. I think we had close to 50 salvations this week and it's dangerous to put a number on things but God really is moving here. I had an awesome Bible Study that really learned a lot this week. (Some weeks I feel like they don't learn a whole lot) I had two church groups as well and they were both really friendly and encouraging. It was also a very Merry week here at Fuge for those of you who know what I'm talking about ;)
Something really important God showed me this week was that even though I may not always have a bunch of intentional conversations like some other staffers, God is using me just the way He sees fit. I just have to be willing to serve and let God do the work. He's given everybody different gifts, strengths, and passions. I just need to keep on using the talents God has given me to minister to others and He'll do the rest of the work. It's crazy when I think about typing this right now because I only have ONE more week left. I've been in Jackson, TN (minus a day trip to Memphis) since May 23 with some of the most incredible people I know. This staff I have the privilege to work with is selfless, God-serving, and a true blessing to work with. They have impacted me in many ways and while I'm ready to be home I love them so much and will miss them.
One of the first things my students do as a Bible Study is fill out a questionnaire on the back of their Track Time cards. It has 10 questions on it ranging from, "What do you want to get out of this week?" to "Rate your life on a scale of 1 to 10." It's really crazy how much these kids share with me on that first night because some will open right up and tell me something that is seriously troubling them. That's what gives me a heads up on knowing which students need extra attention and I usually have one or two that break my heart whenever I read them. I won't go into a lot of detail about a particular student, but she needed some love to get over some nightmares from her past. I was so encouraged to see her note at the end of the week that said I helped her out more than I will ever know. The cool thing is that I don't know what I'm doing half of the time. God just keeps on using me despite my weaknesses.
I had probably the best sounding choir I've had all summer so that was pretty cool. I found out after the week was over that one of my choir students was able to recite every devotion I talked about at the end of class and that's really encouraging because it sometimes feels like a quick little thing. God has proven differently once again though! I got to experience some raw worship again this week with The Spark. I highly recommend looking up some of their music on iTunes if you have a second because they straight up love Jesus and it shows on stage. They're extremely talented musicians as well.
Well this is my last post that I'll do while I'm actually in Jackson. We'll be doing inventory all next weekend and hanging out with each other so I'll do my last post for my Centrifuge staffing experience once I get home. I'm excited to be home soon and I'm really excited to have another group of students coming through. God isn't done with me in Jackson yet and I'm ready to give everything that I have. I don't have to save any more energy for the next week so it's time to go nuts!
One of the first things my students do as a Bible Study is fill out a questionnaire on the back of their Track Time cards. It has 10 questions on it ranging from, "What do you want to get out of this week?" to "Rate your life on a scale of 1 to 10." It's really crazy how much these kids share with me on that first night because some will open right up and tell me something that is seriously troubling them. That's what gives me a heads up on knowing which students need extra attention and I usually have one or two that break my heart whenever I read them. I won't go into a lot of detail about a particular student, but she needed some love to get over some nightmares from her past. I was so encouraged to see her note at the end of the week that said I helped her out more than I will ever know. The cool thing is that I don't know what I'm doing half of the time. God just keeps on using me despite my weaknesses.
I had probably the best sounding choir I've had all summer so that was pretty cool. I found out after the week was over that one of my choir students was able to recite every devotion I talked about at the end of class and that's really encouraging because it sometimes feels like a quick little thing. God has proven differently once again though! I got to experience some raw worship again this week with The Spark. I highly recommend looking up some of their music on iTunes if you have a second because they straight up love Jesus and it shows on stage. They're extremely talented musicians as well.
Well this is my last post that I'll do while I'm actually in Jackson. We'll be doing inventory all next weekend and hanging out with each other so I'll do my last post for my Centrifuge staffing experience once I get home. I'm excited to be home soon and I'm really excited to have another group of students coming through. God isn't done with me in Jackson yet and I'm ready to give everything that I have. I don't have to save any more energy for the next week so it's time to go nuts!
Matthew 11:28-30 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
In Love,
Bill Bouillon
Sunday, July 8, 2012
A Summer in Jackson-Centrifuge #7
Week 5 is in the bag and I only worked a half week this week which was a bit weird. I felt odd taking a nap in the afternoon, but I knew I had to get my rest while I could because these last two weeks are going to be huge! This next week is going to be even bigger than Week 4 so we're going to have over 900 (this should be accurate this time) students invading our campus! So I'll kind of recap what God has been showing me this week.
Justin pointed out in our eval session yesterday that some churches might have planned to come the Fourth of July week on purpose so that there could be smaller numbers. The more rural churches might have been a bit overwhelmed with large numbers and it was a great chance to just get intentional with the students because there wasn't so many of them. The Spark, the band we had this past week and the next week, were phenomenal. I could tell the Holy Spirit was moving every night through their worship and it was so awesome to witness! I know of at least a couple of students who came to know the Lord so the work was worth it.
My church group from this past week reminded me so much of my youth group back home who are on their way to Mississippi College right now for M-Fuge so my thoughts and prayers are with them. Something I felt God convicting me of this week was that I need to KNOW Scripture more. Bro Kenneth made an interesting point in one of his sermons. He was teaching at a private school and had everybody stand up. He asked everybody to remain standing if they could recite a verse for every year they had been a Christian. There were only 4 people standing at the end of it. This hit home to me because I'm sure I know at least 15 different verses in the Bible, but I couldn't just sit down and tell you those verses off of the top of my head. I'm going to try and make memorizing Scripture part of quiet time now.
It's funny how God uses us sometimes. I often wonder why God had me do certain things in high school or why certain situations happen to me. I got to talk to a solid Christian young man this week who I feel like has all the potential in the world to be a strong leader for Christ. We had similar experiences with baseball and similar personalities. I'm hoping that he got something out of talking with me. I had a girl in my Bible Study and church group that approached me with some struggles she had been having after I shared my testimony with her. If you ever wonder why you have the problems and struggles you have, maybe God wants to use you in some way that doesn't make any sense to you now. I was able to minister to this girl because of some struggles I had in my past and I wondered for the longest time why God would want me to go through that. God is faithful though!
Looking forward I only have two more weeks left of camp then I'm heading home. I'm ready to give these kids everything I got. The words "with everything" keep popping up in my head and I'm gonna exhaust myself because there are hurting and broken students coming through here that need the love of Christ. I'm just blessed to get to share a portion of the love that's been shown me. Please pray for energy for our staff, the enemy to get the heck out of here, and for healing because this world needs healing. I love you all and can't wait to see you soon!
Deuteronomy 5:23 "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength."
In Love,
Bill Bouillon
Justin pointed out in our eval session yesterday that some churches might have planned to come the Fourth of July week on purpose so that there could be smaller numbers. The more rural churches might have been a bit overwhelmed with large numbers and it was a great chance to just get intentional with the students because there wasn't so many of them. The Spark, the band we had this past week and the next week, were phenomenal. I could tell the Holy Spirit was moving every night through their worship and it was so awesome to witness! I know of at least a couple of students who came to know the Lord so the work was worth it.
My church group from this past week reminded me so much of my youth group back home who are on their way to Mississippi College right now for M-Fuge so my thoughts and prayers are with them. Something I felt God convicting me of this week was that I need to KNOW Scripture more. Bro Kenneth made an interesting point in one of his sermons. He was teaching at a private school and had everybody stand up. He asked everybody to remain standing if they could recite a verse for every year they had been a Christian. There were only 4 people standing at the end of it. This hit home to me because I'm sure I know at least 15 different verses in the Bible, but I couldn't just sit down and tell you those verses off of the top of my head. I'm going to try and make memorizing Scripture part of quiet time now.
It's funny how God uses us sometimes. I often wonder why God had me do certain things in high school or why certain situations happen to me. I got to talk to a solid Christian young man this week who I feel like has all the potential in the world to be a strong leader for Christ. We had similar experiences with baseball and similar personalities. I'm hoping that he got something out of talking with me. I had a girl in my Bible Study and church group that approached me with some struggles she had been having after I shared my testimony with her. If you ever wonder why you have the problems and struggles you have, maybe God wants to use you in some way that doesn't make any sense to you now. I was able to minister to this girl because of some struggles I had in my past and I wondered for the longest time why God would want me to go through that. God is faithful though!
Looking forward I only have two more weeks left of camp then I'm heading home. I'm ready to give these kids everything I got. The words "with everything" keep popping up in my head and I'm gonna exhaust myself because there are hurting and broken students coming through here that need the love of Christ. I'm just blessed to get to share a portion of the love that's been shown me. Please pray for energy for our staff, the enemy to get the heck out of here, and for healing because this world needs healing. I love you all and can't wait to see you soon!
Deuteronomy 5:23 "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength."
In Love,
Bill Bouillon
Sunday, July 1, 2012
A Summer in Jackson-Centrifuge #6
So begins another post and another week here in Jackson and this was by far the HOTTEST week here. I'm pretty sure it was over 100 at some point every day this week which is normal for summer, but we're outside a lot so it's pretty draining. God is faithful though. This was the biggest week in Union Fuge history and they've had these here for over 20 years (I'm pretty sure) so lots of work to be done. It started off with Registration being an hour shorter than usual because Union was having orientation for incoming freshmen. (Totalfreshmove and very inconvenient) Registration actually went pretty smooth though and all the churches were here before 4 o'clock so it was awesome!
Some weeks of Bible Study are better than other weeks and honestly this one was a bit rougher for me. I had a couple children who just didn't want to be there and had to be the center of attention. God kept on encouraging me though. There was a couple moments in Bible Study where I had everyone's eye on me and I cherish these moments. There's an exercise we do called an "All Access Pass" and I ask the students if they could spend the day with any one person (deceased, famous, etc) who would it be and why. One student spoke up about their deceased grandparent and then over half of my class talked about people they were missing in their lives. This hit home for me because I think about my grandma all the time. I just encouraged them to live a life worthy of bringing that deceased person honor because I know my grandma would be proud of me working here this summer.
I had two kids approach me after class and want to talk which is like the coolest part of my day whenever they do that. I had one girl tell me how she feels led to tell her cousin who is atheist/agnostic about Christ. I was telling her some basic ways to defend her own faith and encouraging her to just love on her cousin because being an example is probably the greatest way to show God's love to the lost. Another student asked me how you determine God's voice from your own wants and that's one of the most difficult things to do as a Christian. I encouraged her to get in the Word, pray, and listen. I heard a message once that posed the question "Why do you do the things you do?" and it just really stuck out to me. "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves." Philippians 2:3 We have to examine the motives of our actions to determine if what we do is for our own ambition or if we're doing it for Christ. This life isn't our own. We live for something so much greater, powerful, and eternal.
Teaching choir is always such a unique experience for me because it's something that I can do but teaching it is a completely different experience. I gotta rely on God so much to teach that class because I don't know what I'm doing lol. The composer of the song ("We Are") we perform at the end of the week was actually our worship leader this week. (James Tealy) It was pretty cool to have him here this week and encouraging to hear from him as well. I also had a special needs student in choir and I just gave her a bit more attention because she needed it. I didn't really think much about it, but her adult came to my class and really appreciated my patience so it was cool to get to do that. I had a legit church group come from Virden, IL this week too! Grace Southern Baptist was excited to have me and I was excited to have them so it was fun to love on them and see how God is moving near my family in Illinois. They also left me enough food to last through the rest of the summer so that was a blessing for sure.
Well I have three more weeks left to work here in Jackson. This next week is a half week so I will have the afternoons off. I'm hoping to catch up on some sleep, get a haircut, and just get some much needed rest while I can. I don't want to let the small numbers for this week cause me to just check out though. This is my students' first week of camp and I need to get intentional with them and help them through their struggles the best I know how. I just gotta let God do His thing cuz I don't know what I'm doing half of the time haha. Bri and I have been together for 5 months now and I'm looking forward to returning home to her, my family, and friends. In the meantime, I'm ready to "Get it!!!!" as Ezra would say. (I love this staff in case you haven't noticed) Please be in prayer that we don't take this week lightly because the broken are out there and need Christ. Pray that we don't get sick because there's a lot of that going on with the lack of rest we get. Also pray that we don't overexert ourselves in the heat. God's watching over us and I'm excited for these last 3 weeks of Centrifuge!!!
In Love,
Bill Bouillon
Some weeks of Bible Study are better than other weeks and honestly this one was a bit rougher for me. I had a couple children who just didn't want to be there and had to be the center of attention. God kept on encouraging me though. There was a couple moments in Bible Study where I had everyone's eye on me and I cherish these moments. There's an exercise we do called an "All Access Pass" and I ask the students if they could spend the day with any one person (deceased, famous, etc) who would it be and why. One student spoke up about their deceased grandparent and then over half of my class talked about people they were missing in their lives. This hit home for me because I think about my grandma all the time. I just encouraged them to live a life worthy of bringing that deceased person honor because I know my grandma would be proud of me working here this summer.
I had two kids approach me after class and want to talk which is like the coolest part of my day whenever they do that. I had one girl tell me how she feels led to tell her cousin who is atheist/agnostic about Christ. I was telling her some basic ways to defend her own faith and encouraging her to just love on her cousin because being an example is probably the greatest way to show God's love to the lost. Another student asked me how you determine God's voice from your own wants and that's one of the most difficult things to do as a Christian. I encouraged her to get in the Word, pray, and listen. I heard a message once that posed the question "Why do you do the things you do?" and it just really stuck out to me. "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves." Philippians 2:3 We have to examine the motives of our actions to determine if what we do is for our own ambition or if we're doing it for Christ. This life isn't our own. We live for something so much greater, powerful, and eternal.
Teaching choir is always such a unique experience for me because it's something that I can do but teaching it is a completely different experience. I gotta rely on God so much to teach that class because I don't know what I'm doing lol. The composer of the song ("We Are") we perform at the end of the week was actually our worship leader this week. (James Tealy) It was pretty cool to have him here this week and encouraging to hear from him as well. I also had a special needs student in choir and I just gave her a bit more attention because she needed it. I didn't really think much about it, but her adult came to my class and really appreciated my patience so it was cool to get to do that. I had a legit church group come from Virden, IL this week too! Grace Southern Baptist was excited to have me and I was excited to have them so it was fun to love on them and see how God is moving near my family in Illinois. They also left me enough food to last through the rest of the summer so that was a blessing for sure.
Well I have three more weeks left to work here in Jackson. This next week is a half week so I will have the afternoons off. I'm hoping to catch up on some sleep, get a haircut, and just get some much needed rest while I can. I don't want to let the small numbers for this week cause me to just check out though. This is my students' first week of camp and I need to get intentional with them and help them through their struggles the best I know how. I just gotta let God do His thing cuz I don't know what I'm doing half of the time haha. Bri and I have been together for 5 months now and I'm looking forward to returning home to her, my family, and friends. In the meantime, I'm ready to "Get it!!!!" as Ezra would say. (I love this staff in case you haven't noticed) Please be in prayer that we don't take this week lightly because the broken are out there and need Christ. Pray that we don't get sick because there's a lot of that going on with the lack of rest we get. Also pray that we don't overexert ourselves in the heat. God's watching over us and I'm excited for these last 3 weeks of Centrifuge!!!
In Love,
Bill Bouillon
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