An Eye-Opening Experience of an Intern
What happens when a child’s imagination has been shaped more by fear than by hope?
Many of the children our interns serve have experienced deep trauma. When fear fills a child’s world, imagination often shuts down. The place where wonder once lived becomes guarded. The ability to believe for something better grows quiet. Fear slowly replaces faith, curiosity, and youthful possibility.
One of our interns, Mady, recently encountered this reality.
One afternoon, she and a group of girls laid in the grass scrolling social media. Mady pointed to the clouds and asked what shapes they could see. At first, there were few ideas, little interest, little engagement. But gently, she kept asking. Slowly, curiosity awakened. Smiles emerged. Their imaginations began to stir again.
Another day, while drawing with chalk, a simple house became something more. When Mady asked, “What do you wish houses had?” the ordinary transformed into a treehouse with a slide and ball pit, a swing set, a telescope spot, and a yard with a dog named Cupcake.
And then came the moment we love most… the spark in a child’s eyes when they realize:
“I can imagine. I can create. There is something good inside me.”
This is more than creativity.
This is the rediscovery of identity.
At CLDI, our interns help children reclaim what trauma has tried to silence. They help young people rediscover that they were created by a Creator and designed with imagination, gifts, and a unique purpose. What they create, and who they create for, carries divine meaning.
And in the process, the interns themselves are transformed… growing in calling, compassion, and leadership as they help restore hope in others.
Meaning in the Mundane- Another Intern Experience
The weeks and tasks are starting to feel more routine and mundane. This brings blessings and challenges. I am thankful that I am able to continue to show up each day and be present to what God is doing, even when I don’t see or understand it.
However, this is where my performative nature can rear its ugly head. I am tempted to think I should do more: reach more kids, make a bigger impact, check in with more women, serve in more positions, etc. It is really hard for me to take moments of stillness and be at peace with them. When I am reminded daily of the depth of brokenness we are living in, I want to respond. I want to fix things. I want to feel like change is happening and there is measurable meaning to my actions. This is all an ongoing wrestle, but I wanted to share a few things I have been growing in through it.
- God is always the change agent. I can obediently plant seeds and water them, but He is the one who makes them grow. I get to trust this process, even though I may not see anything changing.
- Sometimes the best thing to do is to go on a walk, look at the creation around you, and be reminded of how little you can actually control.
- Find joy in the fact that you are part of a plan bigger than yourself. Accept it and embrace the mystery.
Amaya, Intern
I bet there’s something in her words that hits many of us…that challenges us to realign and redefine a few things in a few areas. The road of transformation is one of endurance, patience and perseverance. As Eugene Peterson says, “it’s a long obedience in the same direction.” Learning this early in ministry and in life is so valuable.
Internship is open! If you or someone you know is looking for a “growth year”, this might be the very thing you need. Go here!
