Post 2 @ Camp

It has been a great 24 hours at Crooked Creek.  Yesterday we had a camp wide volleyball tournament that is meant to unify cabins as they come up with cabin uniforms.  Again, leaders are setup to be heroes as they brought some stuff to share and bring the cabins together.  Our upperclassmen guys put on ties and shades then spelled diesel on their backs.  

During free time some of our kids went on a high swing, high ropes course, horseback riding and ridge runners (dirt track go carts).  These experiences give them shared memories with leaders and challenges some of their fears.  

Finally, at club last night we were met with the story about Jesus healing a bleeding woman and bringing a girl to life.  The question that lingered was, "what are your expectations of God? Do you expect God to work or like many people -- 'I just don't think about it.'"

Some of the walls our high school friends have built up are starting to come down, and they are becoming authentic.  They are admitting that they don't believe this stuff, they want God to lead them, they are afraid of going back home and letting this stuff "stick", and some are still unsure of what God's story means for them.  

Great things are happening and I hope that God is receiving all the glory for the work being done. 

We have arrived

Arriving at camp is always a time to take a deep breath, smile, and look forward to what you are going to see. 

After 21 hours of travel, eating, and waiting, the Mankato crew arrived at Young Life Camp expectant of what they might see and hear.  We were greeted by program and some humor relief that brought smiles to wearied travelers.  
The work crew carried our bags to the room; we settled in then went to dinner.  The students were greeted with the excellence of Young Life camp and the extravagance of our love and service.

At our first club we were invited to think about, "What is God like?".  Even if you know who he is, let's think about it as if we are learning new information.  

Immediately after club we were thrown into an obstacle course where kids protect their leader from oncoming barrages of water balloons, mud holes, and military style obstacles.  The purpose is to experience a high energy Young Life experience that sets leaders as the center of their cabin and helps kids be heroes. 

Then we headed to our cabins to debrief from the day and share our thoughts.  Here are some things kids shared about camp already: 
"This is way different than I thought it would be."
"Oh my gosh that Obstacle course was awesome--and a little dangerous."
"I just wanted to get away"
"This is more than I expected it to be"

It is a simple message

I have been doing work with Young Life now for almost 13 years, and it is hard to get mired by everyone’s expectations as to what we are supposed to do.  When I was 20, a college girl raised her hand and asked our college church group to pray for a guitar player for a bunch of high school students on Monday nights.  It is crazy how many guys get pulled into Young Life because of a girl, and I’ll admit…I thought this girl was cute. 

I caught Sarah before church and told her I was willing to help.  She didn’t just tell me what was required of me to play guitar for the group—she told me about Young Life.  We “go where kids are, earn the right to be heard, and tell them about Jesus.”

“Wait,” I said, “You go to the schools and meet kids? That sounds like the most awesome organization I have ever heard of.  I mean that is what missionaries do, and I love it.”

What I have loved about Young Life as I have become more a part of it is how we care about kids that are Catholic, Baptist, Non-denominational, or have no church.  It doesn’t change the way we care or the message we carry.  We don’t respond differently if our high school friends reject Jesus. Something about this is just—right.

I am blessed to talk with adults of different faith traditions and encourage them in their journeys with Christ.  The reason this organization has allowed me to be so free to love and communicate with masses is simply because we are about one thing—JESUS!

I love the traditions and disciplines of the church and they usher me to holy places with our Savior.  However, I am not willing to let them interfere with the simple message of Jesus.  I was reminded of this as I had a discussion with a wonderful woman this week about her faith. 

Inspired Hope

I was talking to a parent the last night at a baseball game.  Her son has been involved in Young Life for the past year and is also involved in his church youth group.  He is more of a quiet kid but definitely committed to Christ.  

They were driving in the car together discussing the future.  Sam is just about to enter his junior year of high school.  He said, "mom I don't know where I am going to go to college or what I am going to do or anything."

His mom said, "it's ok sam. You've got time."

Sam said, "Wherever I go, I want Young Life to be there. I know I want to be a Young Life leader."

A Spiritual Moment

Kiara depends on others...

Often times we are giving the opportunity to inspire, create, help, serve or deeply impact a persons life.  When we let God work in these opportunities, something truly mystical happens through and in us.   

Mother Teresa said, “Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.” What if the world actually lived this way? 

 
Kiara was a middle school student that showed up to Young Life camp confined to her wheelchair because of her cerebral palsy.  She could not participate in many of the weeks events, but when it came to the water slide, she was eager to try the 3 story tall thrill ride.  

We stopped the regular traffic for about 30-45 minutes that day. About 50 students gathered to cheer on Kiara as she experienced a first in her life.  This is a first she could not have conquered on her own, and it took a team to help her with her goal.  Isn't that what Christ calls us to? We need to be less focused on achieving our own life goals and take notice in what God is trying to achieve through us in others' lives--for then all will leave impacted. 

By the third climb up the stairs, I was tired.  Kiara could not help grip with her legs or even wrap the rigid boards around me, so it took deliberation and strengths to keep her on my back.  However, my hero that day was her leader--not because she was bold enough to ask for our help to take Kiara down the slide and not because she rode with Kiara down the slide, but because of her commitment to get Kiara to camp.  Kiara's leader was locked into serving, bathing, and traveling with Kiara all week. I would imagine it started long before Kiara showed up to camp and will continue as they returned
home.  

It was one of the most spiritual moments of my month being invited into the relationship and service of Kiara and her Young Life leader. 

Volunteering makes a difference

Young Life camp is mostly run by volunteers.  Here Jake Beyer, a leader in Mankato, MN, describes volunteering for a month at Young Life camp.  It is hard work but in the end it is worth it because the Gospel is preached. However, God seems to do more in us than through us. 

Humor Goes a Long Way

Only at Young Life camp are 30 year old men dressed as over sized babies funny--everywhere else that would just be creepy. 

Every morning for a month Matt Kelly and I interrupted breakfast for playtime.  With middle school students, we let them throw grapes at us and smash eggs on our head. For the teen moms and their babies, we created musical playtime on stage with the kids. 

The humor in Young Life is key because it 1. Breaks down the walls kids put up to the Gospel and 2. supports our catch phrase "its a sin to bore a kid with the Gospel."  Why can't we learn to play and have fun in the name of Jesus?  I believe God gave us the ability to create many things that help us enjoy relationship with each other and him--let us express those gifts with joyfulness.