Mullet Wigs and the Power of Investing Well
The two faces of Evangeline and her husband -- both before and after the OSP Staff Team Scavenger Hunt
Wednesday, June 25
When Marc (my husband) and I walked through the entrance at Downtown Disney, people stared. When we walked into the Virgin Records store a security guard followed us in.
A group of 20-somethings even started following us trying to figure out if it was real.
It wasn't.
Human Scavenger Hunt
Marc was sporting a horrendous mullet wig; I was dressed up in a hoodie and sweat pants to look thuggish (at least I tried). We were actually enjoying a long honored tradition - the staff team scavenger hunt of Orlando Summer Project.
At first I was so embarrassed I wanted to hide as quickly as possible. In fact I almost ran when 5 OSP students recognized me, jumped out and grabbed my arm.
After my heartbeat settled back down, we signed their scavenger hunt list and gave hugs all around. As the OSP interns ran all over a packed Downtown Disney searching for us, we were walking up and down the main walk ways disguised.
The humiliation was pretty obvious, but the laughter was worth it. And the staff team's costumes were amazing.
But all this fun and games is serious - it's about building relationships.
Investing in Students One-to-One
Some of the best moments are one-to-one. During OSP each intern is paired with a staff member of the same gender who focuses on investing in them all summer.
The mentors have been praying for the students even before they arrive. They spend time hanging out together during the week, lead them in Bible study and meet one-to-one each week.
Life is hard on everyone, and despite being leaders, these student interns need someone to care deeply about them.
Daniel's Letter
To show you what I mean, please read this e-mail I received from one of our interns, Daniel.
"As many of the staff team know, my dad left my mom about a month ago. He has always been a Christian man of integrity, so it is very sad and has made my last year the hardest of my life.
I am so thankful that the men on our staff team are acting like real men. They're fun for sure, but they listen well and truly care. I am sick and tired of watching men unable to be real in relationships because they are too scared to be.
It has blessed my life tremendously that the men here are open and honest about their lives. They don't mind sharing their weaknesses and how God has sustained them through hard things.
Many of them have taken the time to speak truth into my life, and that is what I long for so much right now. I have had to shoulder the burdens for my family this past year, and it's nice to be in an environment where I can just be myself and I'm allowed to be honest and fail sometimes."
It is truly an honor to invest in these men and women.
It Takes Commitment
The Power of Community