Guiding the Flock RESIDENT ASSISTANTS
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First year RA's
Second year RA's
As I walked down the long Europe hallway, heads darted in and out of doorways. From behind half open doors eyes peered tenaciously out and the faint whispers of words meant not to be heard lingered in the air behind me. I smiled nervously and managed to let out a few audible hellos as I continued down the seemingly never ending hallway to my room. Behind me I heard “Did you hear? She’s here.” . . . “Who?” . . . “The new RA” . . . “1 heard she’s really strict!” I entered my room, sat down on the bed and thought to myself. “Oh Lord, what have you gotten me into now?! Why me? I haven’t got a clue what I’m doing. This is far too much responsibility for me to handle!! I mean really Lord, how am I supposed to look after the lives of 30 other girls when I can’t keep my own life straight, how am I supposed to write demerits when I can’t remember to take my own trash out, and how in the world am 1supposed to discipline when I’m learning so much myself?!” I’ll never forget that first day. Mr. Schenke handed me what we jokingly referred to as the “Power Pack”, that pack of miscellaneous forms, appeal slips, special permissions, daily reports, work orders, dorm job check sheets, and everyone’s favorite — Demerit Slips! As much as it made you feel important to be given all of this incredible responsibility, what Mr. Schenke said next made a lasting impact on my life and my perspective on being an RA. That “Power Pack” didn’t give us any real power at all. It was the Lord that empowered us and it wasn’t for writing demerits. The power that we received was the power to serve, to put aside our own wants and desires and to put the needs of others first, whatever they may be: a listening ear, an accountability partner, an encourager, enforcer, friend. I went back to that hallway and on the second walk learned that day. Being an RA was not always easy, but the joys that came and the lessons learned made every difficult situation a rewarding experience. Being a leader is not measured by how much status you have, or how much credit you get, but by how much you give. I think that all of us RA’s would agree that we have learned both how to disciple and how to be a disciple. I’m sure that while it was our job to be examples, to be faithful in prayer and in the little things, to minister to those in our dorms, we were also ministered to as we watched each one grow and mature spiritually. (Tracy Gilbert) “Being an RA has challenged me in the area of personal integrity to be living the standards I am trying to uphold.” (Mike Constantino) “The greatest leader is a humble servant.” Mt. 20:25-28 (Darrell Lacks) “What a joy and a blessing to serve God in this way! I’ve learned to totally trust in God. What an awesome opportunity.” Ps. 56:3-4 (Kimberlee Rakes)
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Resident Assistants
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