The summer is a sweet time as a Young Life leader. For months, maybe even years, we walk into the lives of kids and pray someday that they too would share the hope we cling to. They show up at club (party with a purpose) and they maybe even show up at campaigners (the place we dive a little deeper into Jesus' teaching). We invite them into our very lives (1 Thes 2:8) and in word and deed share the hope that is within us. The thing is though, kids' lives are complicated. Many of them deal with very significant challenges that keep them from really engaging -- not only with the gospel, but truly from relationships in general. The work our Lord has asked us to do is difficult. It's tiring. At times, it feels hopeless. The things we experience and know as Young Life leaders about the lives kids lead at times is heavy. Not because we're disappointed in kids or condemn them; quite the opposite. We see them with the eyes of Jesus. We believe each kid he's allowed us to interact with is treasured. Is significant. Has purpose. Was made for life - a FULL life. Yet, as we believe this for kids, time and time again they refuse to believe it for themselves.
Yet, we turn our eyes to Jesus and he renews us amidst the seeming hopelessness. And that's when we begin to see the miraculous happen.
On December 1, 2014 there was a line out the door, down the stairs and onto the sidewalk of kids wanting to sign up for camp. The leaders and I who were there that evening were overwhelmed with excitement. God was preparing an incredible harvest in the hearts of kids. We clung to hope.
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| Chaos on Camp Sign Up Night |
And that hope and the many, many prayers did not come back void.
This summer, Auburn Young Life took more than 200 kids to camp. 204 to be exact. More than 100 kids made a life changing decision to follow Jesus or renewed their hope in Him. Life to the full.
Young Life Camp is an incredible place. And no, it's not because of the incredible scenery, resort accommodations, epic dance parties or incredible food (that's pretty awesome, too). It's because of the relationships that are deepened between kids and their leaders; it's the time away to really process life, God and life with God; it's the way in which kids hear the Gospel, maybe for the first time and
really take the time to let the Truth of Christ sink in. THAT is why we call it the best week of your life.
Another point of significance for are the
13 Auburn kids who served on 14 sessions (thanks Molly for serving back to back sessions!) in the incredibly important and sacrificial role of Work Crew (high school kids) and Summer Staff (college kids) at various camps across the country.
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| A few AYL kids on their summer assignments. |
These kids did the essential work to make camp happen for a whole month (or close to it)! They served meals, tended gardens, scrubbed toilets, folded laundry, scooped ice cream and washed dishes at The Malibu Club, Washington Family Ranch Canyon, Breakaway Lodge, Frontier Ranch, Lost Canyon and Woodleaf. They cared for thousands of kids from all over the country, and to say I am proud of them is an understatement. Kennedy, Molly, Jami, Alyssa, Dani Mae, Megan, Mattie, Brandon, Connor, Alex, Nina, Brenna and Delaney --
thank you.
In one of my many trips to camp this summer, one camper confided in me: "The talks have been eye-opening and I've laughed more than I have in my entire life I think -- but the thing that gets me and has helped me understand Jesus more than anything else are those Work Crew who are serving us for free this week. They seem to love each other so well, they keep this place amazing and they don't have to. I don't deserve it. It's sort of like Jesus, you know?" Yes, yes I do.
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| A few AYL kids and leaders at camp this summer. |
And finally, my family and I had the incredible privilege to live and work at Malibu this summer as I served as one of three Program Directors for 1,200 kids who came through camp in the month of June. This position was time intensive both before and during camp, and pretty crazy in general. Our job was to run the programmatic elements of camp as well as to set the stage for the camp speaker to share the good news. How did we do that? Humor, fun and what we believe to be life to the full. We dressed up as lumberjacks, bedazzled villians, 4th and 6th graders and tennis pros turned DJ's; we planned a dance party, pool party, obstacle course and cabin unity game in order to break down the walls around kids' hearts through humor so they might be softened as they laugh and experience community in a fun and silly way. Our team resolved to not necessarily be the funniest or best program team ever (although I think we did a pretty good job...!), but perhaps the most loving. We loved each other well and we tried to love our greater team, kids and leaders as best we possibly could. With it all said and done, it really was one of the best months of my life, getting to be a small part of hundreds of kids meeting Jesus from all across the U.S.
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| My husband, Joey, son, Gavin and I at Bob Goff's (author of Love Does) beautiful home next-door to Malibu |
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| 2015 Malibu Session 1 Program Team: Shane Prudente, Kent Williams, Jenny Snipstead and myself |
As the summer comes to a close, I am reminded of John 1:16: For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.
This summer was an incredible outpouring of God's love, kindness and
grace. The things we experienced were miraculous. Over the next few days, I am excited to share on our blog several stories and reports from leaders from throughout the summer. Please join me in celebrating all God has done as they share!
In His Grip,
Susie West
Area Director
