Sr. High MinistryPastor Jordan Cavanaugh (JordanC@<strong>CrossRoads</strong><strong>Church</strong>.ca)Dallas Smith (DallasS@<strong>CrossRoads</strong><strong>Church</strong>.ca)Stories from Romaniaby Rachel Huizingher arms around me giving me the biggest and most heartfelthug, like she was holding me for dear life. I was so shockedand didn’t know what to do in that moment but just hug herback with all the love and happiness I felt right then. We justwalked with our arms around each other the rest of the way.Her name is Carmen. Soon another young woman joined in,and all I could feel was compassion for the beauty of thesewomen’s hearts.In the North American culture that I have experienced, a lot ofjudgement is based on what we look like, how we do things,and the things we have or have not done. And I would be lyingif I said that I have never got caught up in it. As I was transitioninginto Romanian-Gypsy culture I felt uneasy because I wasexpecting this “judgement” to come into play when the villagerswould meet us for the first time. Truthfully, and personallyI can say that I have been affected by the way people “judge”- feeling insecure about what other people think of me. I wasexpecting them to be very skeptical of our team, and our missionin Momaia as well. But on one of our very first days in thevillage, we took a walk through their streets, and suddenly allmy doubts and insecurities vanished becauseof one woman’s smile.Our team was swarmed with children left,right, and centre the minute we steppedinto the streets. But I was not in that situation,I was walking alone with no child runningup to me like they had to the others. Iquickly started to become discouraged aswe kept walking, and soon I felt insecurethat maybe none of the children wouldlike me, and that I wasn’t someone whoappeared “cool” to them. I started askingGod the question of why that was as wekept walking. But suddenly I looked aheadto my right and saw a young woman getthe biggest smile on her face and comecharging right into my arms. She wrappedThe incredible thing Ifind now was, that verymorning I had beenpraying for the village,and God showed me animage of a rushing windof love blowing throughthe valleys to the streetsthrough the village. Iprayed for a love encounterfor the peoplein the village, and theincredible thing I foundwas that, God gave me alove encounter throughthose young ladies,when all I wanted wasto express how muchI have for them. I was humbled through that experience becauseit is amazing that someone who doesn’t know a thingabout me, someone who doesn’t know my weaknesses andstrengths, who could care less what I looklike, could just love me for all that I am, forjust being a creation of God. It is so significantbecause it revealed God’s love ina more real and tangible way. God knowsall of you, every little detail of your life, thegood and bad, but simply remains to loveyou for this reason and because He has apurpose for you. It made me truly realizethat this is how we should love each other,not based on any sort of “judgement”, butsimply for one reason alone, because we area piece of the beauty of God. It’s a greaterthing than anyone can ever know, and thatwas what I got to experience each and everyday with the people in Momaia, and forthat I will always truly be grateful.Page 24THE CROSSING || October 2012 || www.<strong>CrossRoads</strong><strong>Church</strong>.ca
Sr. High MinistryPastor Jordan Cavanaugh (JordanC@<strong>CrossRoads</strong><strong>Church</strong>.ca)Dallas Smith (DallasS@<strong>CrossRoads</strong><strong>Church</strong>.ca)Meet Our Small Group Leadersfor Grade 10 GirlsAshten BlainMy name is Ashten Blain, andI am the oldest of three kids.We live in Lacombe, and I amworking full time at a soupand sandwhich shop there.I love hanging out withpeople, reading, spendingtime with my family, doingsomething creative or justhanging outside. I amexcited about this ministrybecause I look forward tobeginning new friendshipsand to challenging othersand being challenged togrow in my relationshipwith Jesus.Chrissy CavenaghI am a fourth year RN student, as well as an undergraduatenurse on the cardiac unit. I also work at the Michenergroup homes. It has taken a while to get there as I spenttwo years at Capernwray. I come from a family who lovesJesus. My parents are missionariesin Mexico. I love being involvedin ministry and hope to somedaylive in Africa or do missionssomewhere overseas. Music is ahuge part of my life and I lovethe piano and guitar. I wantto do youth ministry becausewhen I was a kid I didn’tunderstand what it meant tohave a relationship with Jesus.I am passionate about youthand want to be involved inhelping them grow and realizetheir need for Christ.Courtney WoykeMy name is Courtney Woyke andmy family includes Mom & Dadand three younger brothers,Austin, Nathan and Kenton.In my spare time, I love tocrochet or knit or do anythingthat allows me to be creativeor crafty. My week involvesnannying a 6-month old,hanging out with friends andfamily and making all sortsof crafts. I wanted to workwith youth because I lovebuilding relationships andthe sense of communitythat comes with that.Jen ShewchukI am Jen. I love hanging outwith people, drinking coffee,and eating at Menchies. Iam in my second year of aLeadership degree throughTIRO here at <strong>CrossRoads</strong>,which is in partnershipwith Rocky MountainCollege. I have a passionfor youth ministry andinvesting in relationshipswith others. I am reallyexcited for this yearand am so blessed tobe a part of the youthministry team.THE CROSSING || October 2012 || www.<strong>CrossRoads</strong><strong>Church</strong>.ca Page 25
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