I would say that the most life changing experience of this summer for me (assuming that there is just one) was our last outreach when we handed out boxes of love.  At this point I hadn't seen much fruit in the door to door outreaches so I was very discouraged and didn't even want to go and do it.  But I met this guy that changed my outlook.  He had just lost his job and his wife just left him and he had four kids to support.  He told me about how hard his life is right now and how unfair it was.  He really needed some help so I gave him both the boxes that my companion and I were carrying.  He accepted them both gratefully.  Along with that, we got into a great spiritual conversation.  We both had pretty much the same beliefs, which was very encouraging to me because it isn't very normal around Juneau.  I did get to go through the four spiritual laws with him and he listened with an opened mind.  He even took the booklet.  And later on I was walking back to the car and he drove by in his van and honked and waved at me.  That was awesome to see because I felt like I really made a difference in his life.  That totally changed my outlook on door to door evangelism.  I think that because of that I will be able to be more confident and have a better attitude in situations like that for the rest of my life.

This is Brandon Herrera over here in Juneau. Its Friday, and as of this moment I am no longer employed by the state of Alaska. Bitter sweet. I would have to say it would be hard to pick just one area where God has touched my life and where not I feel I have grown, but probably the most impactful would have to be how God taught me how important rely on Him in EVERYTHING that I do. Its not about relying on Brandon's strengths and abilities to get something done but just submitting moment by moment to His voice and walking step by step in the Spirit. I learned  a lot about this because I was given the job of action group leader and I was so worried about not being able to be the type of leader that I knew my guys needed. But I finally realized that If I'm doing my job, seeking Gods face and loving Him with everything that I have, then everything else will fall into place.

Ok, I know I was only going to talk about one but here is another impactful thing that I've learned: Who I am in Christ and his undying, unending, passionate, intimate, and unfailing love for me. Its starting to sink in that the God who created me, the universe and everything in it, desires to have my heart; desires to know me as my earthly father knows me. I guess I always knew that but it was never "'HUGE" for me.
 

God has truly changed my life through this summer project. When people see me, they

will physically see me and see nothing different but beyond the exterior and looking into the

inside God has changed me. I don't know where to start, to be honest, I

could probably write a novel on everything that God has so graciously done

in my life. I will tell you about the two most prominent things that God has

me. First, I entered this project with the wrong believes and impressions of

what is genuine Christian masculinity. My view of masculinity before this

project was basically earthly or worldly. I would do things that "real men"

would do. I would compete in sporting events, mainly running, and other

things that men would identify as being "manly". I even enter "Fight Nite"-a

boxing torment- partially to represent Campus Crusade but also to get

public affirmation from other men. Basically, I would put on a show to

prove to others just how manly I was. This all changed though when the

gracious God above introduced me to a man by the name of Marrty Dormish.

Marrty Dormish from the outside looking in wouldn't strike you as being

masculine. He is not the biggest, the tallest, or the strongest and his

physical stature is what one would call "weak". This by all means judging on

worldly standards is true but when using heavenly standards is completely

wrong. 1 Samuel 16:7 says "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for

I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at things man looks at ...",

this verse does justice to what is true Christian masculinity. Marrty is a

man who eats, breathes, and just about everything else Christian. He loves

his family, tells people his weaknesses, and gives live. Words couldn't

convey just how masculine he is, you would just have to meet him to

completely understand. Marrty truly showed me what is real Christian

masculinity. Thank you God for such a blessing as Marrty and his witness.

Second is true leadership. Again, I regret to say I was sucked in by the

world and took a view of leadership of that of a worldly standard. I had

thought leadership was telling people what to do and taking charge of all

and any situations. Another thought, being the one who is calling the shots

and not taking any gruff from anyone. This is leadership but heavenly

leadership is different. Basically speaking in spiritual terms leadership is

service and service is leadership. Leaders should serve others and humble

themselves for the sake of others, something that Donald Trump and other

leadership icons don't exactly display. Philippians 2:3-4 says "Do nothing

in out of selfish ambition or vain conceit but in humility consider others

better than yourselves. Each of your should not look not only at to your own

interest, but also to the interests of others". Christian leaders are the

ones saying "How can I serve God and this group of believers" not "What can

I do to impress power over these people". Christian leadership is one that

is characterized by love and service not power. God has truly showed me how

to truly lead by the heavenly way-the right way. Glory to Him.

These are the two most areas in my life where God has showed me to

better live. I was blinded by Satan for while but the Heavenly father called

me back. God has allowed me to learn this through the Men's Juneau Project.

Glory to Him on the Highest.