Intern week 1

Wow! This first week has flown by, and surpassed all expectations! My name is Laura Claus and I am one of the five interns here for the summer with Orphan's Heart. I was unsure about what to expect coming into this internship but felt called to go. I have found that the Lord is continually faithful and He blessed our team so much this first week!
We picked up our first group from the airport and throughout the week we became united as the body of Christ. As a first timer I was a little anxious about what this week would hold but the other interns and our first mission trip group were PHENOMENAL! We had an amazing week working for Christ and getting to know one another. Many relationships were formed that will no doubt last a lifetime. This group was hard working, had servants hearts, were hilarious, and will be greatly missed as they go onto Christ's other plans for their lives!
The kids and the center really opened my eyes to what life really should be about. In the states I take so much for granted, especially the love I am given. They seem like rights to me, but being here has really taught me that they are undeserved blessings, that God has given me in His mercy. These children, despite their malnourishment, are some of the happiest kids I have ever met, and I can take a lesson from them, as well as the hard working women at the center (who are just about miracle workers). God is doing some really cool things at the center (including teaching some young men how to change diapers :) ) and I can tell each group that comes in, as well as us interns, will be forever changed by our journey there.
As someone who had never been on a mission trip with adults as well as children, this was a brand new experience for me. It was wonderful to see how the Lord was working through parents and other adults to be an example for their families and younger generations. They were walking what they were preaching and it changed the way I view my future in ministry for the better! The youth were great as well, working hard but bringing the joy of the Spirit into all situations. All in all it was a great work week and many tears were shed as we said our goodbyes.
This weekend the interns had an adventure out exploring Antigua! We saw shops and markets met new people, and even got lost a few times! We ended up finding a GREAT pizzeria in the city owned and operated by a Swedish chef! We met Christoph, the chef, and had some much appreciated and delicious pizza! Today has been a lazy fun day, just getting to know each other better and resting up for a new week!
Not knowing anyone here and staying for five weeks made me a little apprehensive, but if there is one thing I am learning so far from this internship is that the Lord is the great provider and He is eternally faithful! I LOVE these interns (and Howie!) and am so blessed to have my now great friends standing by my side through this adventure! Our first mission team was more of a blessing than I could ever communicate and was given to us by the hand of the Lord. They blessed us so much and made us feel like home! I miss them already but as we are about to be off to the airport to meet our next group I am filled with anticipation of what the great Provider has next!