catching up with Olivia

Recently I asked one of last year's ESBS students (Olivia Keaton) to share some thoughts about her year at ESBS and how it's prepared her for what she's doing now. Here are her thoughts:
"During my school year God formed a passion within me for
studying the word of God which I had never known before. Prior to that year
studying the Bible was something I would do very seldom and understand even
less. I can clearly remember walking back to my room one afternoon, towards the beginning year, and stopping at the realization
that I was actually excited to start
studying again. Through my year at ESBS I was able to ground my faith in the
Lord and in His word. I had been living off the words of others for my faith
all my life, however, through ESBS I grew strong
convictions which I knew were grounded in God’s heart and in God’s desires for
me.
Since my ESBS I have begun working in Minnesota with a
ministry called Timber Bay. Timber Bay is a relational ministry which works
with “at-risk” youth. We come along side kids who have been rejected,
abandoned, and abused by every influence around them and we show them the
unconditional love of God. Timber Bay beautifully mirrors God’s relationship
with us. We meet our lost, hopeless, kids where they are at. We build real
relationships with our kids, not forcing them to change, but encouraging them,
loving them through their shortcomings, and presenting Christ to them with
hope. My year with ESBS has helped me in my ministry in so many ways. I would
not have had the wisdom or the conviction to be able to express the Gospel to
my kids before coming to this school. The more I become confident and convicted
in the character of God the better I am able to live it in my ministry, and in
every aspect of life. Through the gospel I have learned humility, endurance,
hope in suffering, patience, and the true action of unconditional love. These
are all things I had heard of, and even thought I lived out, but at school I saw
SO clearly God, the holy, all powerful,
creator of the universe, bestow these characteristics on mankind from the
beginning, regardless of their rejection. This is now my mission.
My year at ESBS was one of the best things I’ve ever done, I
will always look back on it in humble gratitude for what the Lord did in my
life. But, as I said at the end of my school year, to stop there would only be
fulfilling half the purpose. The time has come to move on and apply what I have
learned and bless others as much as I can. This is what I am doing with Timber
Bay. I continue to learn, and I continue to learn and live for the glory of God
to the best of my ability."
Feel free to e-mail Olivia if you're interested in her ministry at Timber Bay, and how you can partner with her (oliviakeaton@timberbay. org ). We are thankful to have been a part of her discipleship journey!
Tom
Tom