God just doin' what God does!

This last week has been super low key as far as weeks go at Malibu. God is at work yet thankfully without too much of a dramatic storyline. Just God bein' God. A few highlights.

A camper from Lakewood (South Tacoma) got up early for coffee and noticed something peculiar. A group of leaders were sitting around Hamiltons and the pool deck reading bibles...by themselves.... writing in journals. He ran back to ask his leader Justin: "What is going on with all these leaders?  What are they doing?"  He had never seen anything like this. It was a great set up for Justin to explain the practice of reading the bible, having a quiet time with God, and journaling. Thanks leaders!

A kid from Kittitas HS has been visibly disengaged from this week. Arms folded, uninterested, and refusing to try new things like cabin rides and all camp events. At our night 4 dance party, it starts with a square dance.  Kicking and screaming, his leader Jason insisted he joins the dance. As he was paired off, the summer staffers linked his hand with a beautiful, positive, beaming, joyful Wenatchee girl. I'll spare you the details, but if you have never danced with a Wenatchee girl, just know, it has the gravity to change the rest of your week! This young man danced the night away and has been engaged in all things Malibu ever since!  I know the way God can use a Wenatchee girl.  I married one!

Side note about the square dance, we had such a shortage of guys, we needed 3 assignment team kids, Nolan Dow (6), Dietrich (10) Max Hein (11) and Kent W's son Joel to square dance in order to give every girl a chance to dance.  Meanwhile, 4 girls from Woodinville would not dance because they didn't want to betray their boyfriends back home. Our boys were so gentlemanly and disarming, that the 8 of them paired up and had a BLAST.  See this pic. :)

A large group from Bothell came. These are the athletes, the partiers, and a crew of overly confident guys that YL is criticized/noted for reaching so successfully...and I'm glad we do!  During the night 4 dance party, the guys were all-in, danced up into a frenzy and had the night of their lives. As they were going to bed, they had an all cabin conversation of what the contrast was between THIS night, were no substances were consumed, no person ended up getting used or carried home, yet the level of joy, laughter, and relational fulfillment they experienced. These guys learned what CS Lewis said: "Joy is the serious business of heaven." Their leaders knew this planted a HUGE seed in their lives.

Early Day 5, before Kent (he was back night 3 after his broken nose) shared the message of the cross, Wayland had one on ones with a few of his guys to hear how they are tracking with God this week. Each of them surprised him as he asked. Two of them specifically said, "How can I start this relationship with God that I've been missing?  Can you help me start it?"  Wayland said what any of us would say, while smiling and covertly pumping their fist: "Yep!  Let's DO this!"

Tanya and I did get our paddleboard date in the Princess Louisa inlet. Two seals did indeed join us for a double date.  Good times!

We just heard an update from last week's camp. A girl from North Spokane who's sister died in a tragic car accident that impacted the whole community, stood up at 'say-so' which was both unexpected and incredible. She was not interested and even angry at God for what she thought of him at the point of coming to Malibu. The heavens are rejoicing!

Great conversations and transformations are all around here. In fact, last night during the 15 minute all-camp quiet, a kid who did not know God felt his presence and spoke to God for the first time. When we are praying, being intentional to share the good news of Jesus, where we earn the right to be heard and give young people the opportunity to respond.  Praying for more changed lives this week as well as all year long as leaders continue to reach new kids and go deeper with these that have come to camp this year. We were made for this. Consider how you could join us in reaching more kids.

Our last week at Malibu, Rich Amaral and some prayers

Last week ended strong.  Say so was powerful and the kids were visibly changed from early in the week until the end. Now we are praying for our last week here.  Wenatchee, Kittitas HS, Northlake/Northshore, Lakewood/Steilacoom, Anderson Is, & Bellevue.  We could use some prayer. At game point during a bball game last night, our camp speaker Kent Williams got a broken nose.  Pray for him to recover!  Pray for the kids, especially ones on my heart from Lakewood, Woodinville, Wenatchee, Kittitas and Bothell to experience all Christ has to show them.

We have a lot of diversity amongst our campers this week. Kent mixed up his approach a bit and last night one of our South Tacoma schools walked back to the cabin and Jeffrey heard them saying 'now THAT talk was so LIT.' Kent shared how each of them have infinite value in Christ, no matter what their parents or people or our culture says about them.

A few personal sentiments to close up this entry.  The joke amongst our team this month has been that I am everyone's 'backup' for their assignment team role in case someone goes down. I've done program, camp director, speaker, and could pluck a few chords on guitar. My nickname here has been Rich Amaral. He was the all time most versatile player on the Seattle Mariner's roster. This morn, I was asked to step in to fill for Kent's role, hosting the 'Real Life' panel. And also I MC-ed the regatta event with KJ. Pray Kent bounces back to give the night 3 club talk!

Family wise, if I could describe the storyline for our family using meteorologically, I'd say it has been partially cloudy with some thunderstorms followed by a long, sunny stretch to finish our month here.

Dietrich has struggled intensely ever since we moved from Everett to Spokane.  Being here at Malibu has been his highlight of the year. It started rough with him punishing Tanya and I, withholding love, avoiding sitting with us, and refusing to spend any time with us. This was the thunderstorm. Even while shunning us, at least he enjoyed bonding with some other boys his age, including the Vollmers and his best friend Max Hein, who arrived for our last two weeks here.  It was a sad commentary that at the end of the third week, I (Jeff) had not spent a single time with him here. Finally, this streak ended with a round of frisbee golf, Dietrich's first ever attempt. He learned (he typically does not enjoy learning new things) to keep score and golf etiquette. He had great throws and topped it off with a drive for the ages on the 'pro tee' on hole 18, the most difficult, branch impeded, tee off of the course. He gave it an easy, straight toss and it glided all the way down the hill within a few feet of the post. The Heins, Vollmers and Tanya who witnessed it all cheered in disbelief and swarmed him like he just won the superbowl with a game winning field goal. He of course, was unphased and matter of fact about it. "So." We played 18 holes again today. Hopefully return home with a closer relationship than it has been the past 6 months.

Janna is flourishing here, loving to serve in varieties of ways at camp and playing with all the girls. Catching snakes with McKaden Hein and the boys (Max, D, Nolan Dow and others.)  Tanya is doing extremely well.  She has directed the 'Real Life' element, where 4 panelists share key parts of their story and journey of finding Christ.  She also has been teaching online summer school, exercising, being with kids and people here and whispering hints and wise suggestions into my ear to keep me at the top of my game as I serve.  We have our second paddle board date tomorrow, can''t wait!  Hoping that we have a few harbor seals be a third wheel on our date as we paddle the Princess Louisa Inlet.

In our last few days, pray for Kent, for closure, for my concerns back home with Young Life that I need to jump on right away, and ability to mentally and prayerfully switch my attention from 'all in' here to 'all in' back home with fam, a short post-Malibu vacation and our YL region.

Thanks!    -jeff h-

The puzzle pieces finally fit together!

A cabin of guys from Shadle Park that I stopped by each night and shared 'God stories' with.  The last night, two of the guys stood up at 'say so' expressing that they made a first time decision to open their heart and life to God. Earlier in the week, their leaders had been praying for them since they struggled to even believe in God and didn't really want to talk about 'God stuff.'  I had to stop by at lights-out and ask what changed that sparked this big step of faith. Each of two guys said that the messages that Kent gave laid out the puzzle pieces and then the cardboard testimonies and the 15 minute quiet times sealed the deal for them.  A third guy in the cabin, from Central Valley HS, had shared with his friends in cabin time that God kept placing the word 'missionary' and 'bring hope' on his heart but he didn't know why. It was a word that had come to him years ago at a church he attended with he was a kid, and those words came back this week. When I stopped by the cabin that night, I told him that Spokane Valley YL had a plan to start YL at Central Valley HS this year.  Then it clicked for Jake. God put the puzzle pieces together for him that HE would be a missionary to bring hope to his OWN school as YL launched this year. He was MADE for this! Like watching a time lapse of a puzzle being put together from start to finish, it was a joy to see the end result! 

The 'say-so' was amazing as kids from Ellensburg, Gonzaga Prep, Mead, Mt Spokane, Shadle, North Central, Lakeside, LC, Ferris, Coeur D'Alene and more stood up. Our team chose 5 kids specifically to pray for this week and it was a celebration to see those stand!

One girl, from Lakeside HS in Spokane, felt distant from God yet decided to give it a shot to pray and connect with God. As she sat next to the Malibu rapids, she got the words out "I love you God, I want to know you..." Just as she got these words out, foam began to bubble up in heart shapes as the tide sped up and the water rushed past the rocks. Blowing this off as half coincidence, she closed her eyes and started her prayer over.  "Heavenly Father, thank you for me being here, help me feel connected to you, that this relationship I need with you feels real..." Just as her re-started prayer got this far, a seal popped up right in front of the edge of the railing she was seated at.  She described the seal as serenely locking eyes her with an accompanying 'goofy smile' on its face. Out of pure amazement, this seal's close proximity, attentive eyes and comfortable, warm presence felt like a mind-blowing answer to her prayer and sign that God was responding.

Another close North Spokane-leader friend had a one on one with one of his guys on the last day.  It was a guy he'd known for a few years but who held himself back from going to a place of sharing or extending his faith towards depth or action.  It was different today.  This time it was different. After being blown away by the power of the leaders sharing cardboard testimonies, he was rocked. He realized that he needed transformation from the inside out. They talked over an hour and the young man asked if he could pray to start a relationship with God. It was the first time my friend has ever prayed with someone to do this.  Even with 4 years of collegiate sports and success as well as amazing life experiences, THIS was my leader friend's best life moment and honor he had ever experienced. There is a celebration in heaven when even one person who was lost is found!  -Jeff-

This week at the 'Bu with Inland NW kids.

It's been a solid week, full of God sightings.

Fun to have Spokane, North Idaho and Ellensburg here. KJ, our program director, also Gonzaga YL College Director, was in his groove this week with his 'former' area. Tanya and I certain loved being with our new Inland NW YL people.

A few handfuls of highlights:

The Amazing adults guests from Coeur D'Alene/Post Falls.

The fire alarm sounded after too many boys sprayed Axe deodorant.

Ellensburg leaders were blown away before cabin time. When the kids started cabin time, the leaders asked what the highlight of the day was. The 'toughest' kid answered first: "Highlight? Well I just prayed and gave my life to God. I mean, coming in, I didn't believe in God and always HATED talking about God. But not anymore, I actually started a relationship with him and that's my highlight."  Are you kidding me?  Unreal!

One of our leaders brought a girl with muscular dystrophy. She is a 'normal' girl with all the same thoughts and feelings of everyone else, yet needed help thought the ropes course, to walk to the outer dock, and help balancing. She decided to go on the ropes course. Her Spokane leader, Gina, walked alongside of her, helping her weak legs step across thin a cable 40 feet up from the ground. The whole group of onlooking campers swarmed beneath her, cheering. At each element she made it to with her leader helping carry her, she was greeted with cheers and encouragements.  This was a beautiful picture of what it looks like to be leaders, supporters and pray-ers in YL. Everyone's part helper her across the obstacle course.

One particular girl from Spokane processed the week through her lens of logic and skepticism. Each message Kent gave was picked apart in cabin time, and any invitation towards faith in God was picked apart using theories and philosophical arguments against God that the leaders couldn't even intellectually follow. Apathy ruled cabin times. Yet...and I love that God is the King of 'yet', the Hol;y Spirit broke through.  Our musician Tyson Motsenbocker played a song, written by Brandon Heath (who was in the room) called 'Reaching Out' that describes God's heart for us in the midst of our brokenness. She felt her heart break over the hurt in others' lives and in her own life, and realized there is no logic that could reason itself out of the pain she had been fighting back. During her 15 minute quiet time, she had her first ever conversation with God.  She opened her life to God in cabin time...and her leader's jaw remained dropped the whole time. Her leader admitted "I was 100% sure this kid was NOT going to experience God this week.  I am still in shock."

On the second day of camp, a leader felt like it would be good to have an early week 'one on one' with a kid who had seemed far from God, without any background of faith or even YL attendance.  When the leader asked 'coming into this week, where are you at in your faith?' He asked a few questions about why Jesus came, why he died, how come he feels so far from God, and even asked how he can start a relationship with God. As they talked, the kid asked "can I pray and start a relationship with God now?"  Anthony dove in and prayed with him...on day 2!  Wow.

One of my teammates, Jeffrey, made himself available to talk and even pray with kids after sharing his story this morn.  A group of kids stuck around during free time and opened up to him.
One was a kid who's parent took their own life and how it has wrecked them.
One was a kid who's parent has been in prison.
One was a kid who lost a parent and a sibling in a short amount of time.

Two of these kids, after talking, crying, and reading Psalm 40 with him, took Jeffrey's invitation to 'give ALL this to God. Forgive those who have hurt them, pour out their hurt to God, and commit to follow him even in the midst of the pain they have been walking through.'  Amazing.

Keep praying for day 6.  There will be lots of conversations with life changing implications!  -jeff-

Week 3 of 4. Spokane, North Idaho, and Ellensburg, oh my!

Around 250 campers from Spokane, 25 from North Idaho and 40 from Ellensburg (and more from B'ham) arrived Wednesday for our 3rd week. We are honestly still emotionally reeling in the wake of last week's heaviness.  Yet, It has been a joy to see updates from home from the Kamiak and Mariner kids who are finding Jesus in the midst of the losses they experienced. God has been so GOOD, pulling them together to heal, walk out their faith after camp, and spread God's light and presence to others who weren't at Malibu. I am utterly amazed.

Hans Liezen, the new area director for South x NW Spokane, just won the 'Malibu jacket' honor, which is for the area who brings the most campers in given summer. 170 campers. Then North Spokane brought a great crew too.  Being that I just moved to Spokane, I feel like I have the 'home field advantage' this week.
Acclaimed musician and friend, Brandon Heath, is here with his wife as 'yacht host' this week.  I just snapped a pic of some North Idaho girls with him, Soebe his wife, and Kent. I played a round of frisbee golf with him, Kent, co-best friend Mark Hein and musician Tyson Motsenbocker. Good stuff. I asked if Brandon would sing/play his famous song 'I'm not who I was' live during cardboard testimonies this week, but he didn't want to take any attention away from what God is doing here.

Last night I stopped by some Spokane cabins to tell 'God stories' of amazing things I've seen Him do. After sharing with some Shadle Park HS kids the leader, Hunter, pulled me aside outside the cabin and expressed how perfect it was to share stories of God making himself known.  These kids expressed how frustrated they were that God seemed so invisible, inactive and irrelevant to their lives.  I didn't know these kids, or their frame of reference with their faith, but felt compelled to share something more 'deep' with them and I was thrilled that it hit the spot.  Thanks God!

Just had an amazing conversation with a solid work crew kid, Hayden, son of one of the Inland NW Regional Board members, Keith.  He wanted to talk about a lot of stuff on his mind that was taking away from his time here. I felt pressure to say the right thing or be useful. I prayed as I listened and did my best to try 'deep listening' like one of my mentors, Marty Folsom, taught me. As he shared, I heard what was at the depth of his heart in the midst of his frustrations.  "It sounds to me like you are committed to connectedness and relationships and you're not able to experience this as the lone ranger garbage boy.'"  This was exactly what he was wrestling with. It was a joy to have helped simply by listening and saying what I felt like I heard.  That is all that was needed. Sometimes we just need to have someone else listen and 'name' what has hijacked our mind. I know I appreciate that!

We received two cases of care packages for our Inland NW staff and the WC too from Spokanites, Bill and Garry Sperling.  Such a great refresher for us.  Notes, gifts and thoughts are nice motivators.

Such a joy to see Jeffrey Chambers (and Lizzy), Marne, Michelle, and even our program team, featuring Spokane staff person, KJ, here with his 'people' this week.  We are in our element.  Praying for big things in kids lives. Pray with us.  And, pray that God gives you the confidence that whatever way or moment God gives you to serve and impact others, that you trust He is in it with you!

Recapping the heaviest camp week I've ever experienced

Being here with 30+ Kamiak kids while they mourned the loss of their friends was a heavyweight bout.  It was an honor to walk with such great leaders from WestSnoCo and the a-team at Malibu. Brittany (pictured below) walked all the area in prayer and how to approach grieving. Thankful for her.  And ultimately, thankful for most of the Kamiak kids who re-committed their lives to stay connected to Jesus. Many had made past decisions, yet drifted away and lost connection. I was blessed to hear Griff facilitate their 'response' small group last night where they truly saw the urgency to stay connected with God, love others extravagantly, and stay in tight community with one another.

What came next was even harder. One of the Mariner HS kids, Terrell, whom the leaders and I have known and loved for 2 years, got a message from home to call his brother.  Nick, Justin, Dwan and I sat with him in the office as he learned that his mom died. He was filled with anger and sadness at once.  He ran into camp with a few friends and leaders with him.  Then huddled up to cry out and absorb this hurt that NO one ever wants to feel.  The loss of one's mom.  We gathered his friends from all over camp during the last nights' free time.  They and the girls from Mariner all huddled around him, crying. A boat driver summer staffer from Arizona jumped in and prayed in the midst of this.  He prayed for Terrell's mom that God has her in a place with no suffering, and that she is in good hands. And that God would lift up Terrell.  Jeffrey, Nick, Justin Y, and his classmates and I all surrounded him, all crying, and T, with his intense personality, yet brand spanking new faith, began to pour out words, prayers and requests. 

While he was in intense grieving, he called out to all who were with and around him "I lost my damn mom.  No one wants to lose their mom.  She's gone.  I can't have her back.  I can't tell her I love her. I can't apologize. You all have your moms.  God is going to make a purpose with this. Y'all, all of you need to love your moms.  I can't pour out my heart to my mom and tell her I love her, and pray for her, so you need to. You need to pray for your moms right now.  When you get home, you need to look her in the yes and tell your mom that you love her, tell her everything that happened this week, and everything you've been hiding from her. Promise me you will do this.  Promise me RIGHT NOW!  If you did something bad, or had sex, or lied, you go tell her right when you get home.  God is going to get me through this, and we are going to have each others backs, but you all need to love your moms." 

Later, when me moved locations since it was 12:30 at this point, he called out:  "If Jesus died on the cross for me, then I can give my life for others.  I made a commitment to Jesus TODAY here at Malibu, and I am going to trust him on this. I am going to comfort others who are hurting like I am being comforted right now."

"We need to take to heart what we are learning this week.  About Not being selfish.  We need to be selfless.  We were full of disrespect all week and in cabin times and we need to stop that garbage."

"What gives me peace is that my mom is in heaven.  I have given my life to Jesus, and my mom is with Jesus in heaven.  I will live my life to honor my mom and reunite with her in Heaven.  Ohhhh, heaven!  My mind hurts even thinking about heaven. God has made us a better place and my mom is there.  Before this week, I don't think I was going there, but now I am." 

"You guys are my family.  I can tell by the fact that it is 1am and you all are around me, crying with me, being by my side, YOU are my family.  You love me and I love you, we have each others back."

Our camp musician Tyson Motsenbocker said: "It was the top 3 most profound things I've ever seen 

in my life." Co head leaders were blown away at how in the midst of greiving especially Jeffrey Chambers (Chelan YL) who felt the Holy Spirit moving powerfully through him and the community of leaders, classmates, a boat driver and others that huddled around him.  I had never seen anything like it.  Think about this.  A 16 year old who just started a relationship with Jesus fully embraced God's love, perspective, and hope.  Not only so, but literally gave a theologically, rock-solid TED talk-caliber message to over 30 people in the midst of his deepest sadness and pain he's ever experienced.  It truly was miraculous.  Deeply painful, yet undeniable that God's Holy Spirit was present, evident, and stirring up kids to live deeper in love with God and one another, and lastly, to "LOVE YO DAMN MOM...because if you HAVE a MOM, you BETTER love her and pray for her RIGHT NOW...and I want to hear you SAY a damn AMEN when you DONE praying!" -Terrell Santos

This last pic was the Mariner guys praying before heading out on water taxis.  All in all, 1/6th of the room of all the kids stood up at say so, and over 2/3 of the camp stood up to express they are making a re-commitment of faith and relationship with God. A unique scene for sure.

THANKS for praying, reading and these kids need more prayers.  Pray for Terrell as he heads home into absolute pain and loss.  And, pray for 368 campers from Spokane, Ellensburg, Coeur D'Alene/Post Falls, and Walla Walla and Bellingham.  Thanks.    -jeff- 

Update on the Kamiak and other kids here at Malibu

It was a rough night full of tears, hurt, and hard-to-come-up-with-words-prayers. The next morn, kids were still in shock.  After 3.5 hours straight of grieving, we were glad to see kids still pulling together, hugging, holding hands, praying.

Later that night of Day 4, we had a Malibu themed night where they got to dress in Olympics attire, eat a festive spaghetti dinner, sing their hearts out, rush off to a high energy, creative, 'opera' and  then transition into a square dance, Virginia Reel, and epic dance party that was so hyped up, the crowd of 411 campers broke a beam/post while jumping. The highlight of this all was that the hurting, grieving kids had a chance to sing, laugh, play, dance and experience joy in the context of the love of God here.  Leaders were in shock, yet in praise of God, seeing the kids feeling the freedom to dance.

These kids have a tough road ahead as they head home, yet there's no better place we can imagine these kids being to process such pain.  Pray with us that they would cling to the hope that God is alive, the Holy Spirit is available to comfort them, and that the love and grace of Jesus will fill their hearts.  And to echo long time Mukilteo teacher, pastor, coach and YL leader Vic Alinen...
"Praying that the Holy Spirit will bring a spiritual revival that brings clarity to who the real Jesus is and (that HE) brings good in and out of ALL things."  May a revival of the urgency of life, love and life in God in the live of OUR kids spark a new beginning.  In Mukilteo, and all over our state, in the NW and in our country.  Come Lord Jesus, come.  Be our hope.

Last note, it was a pleasure to see a camper from Lake Oswego, 'Jimmy,' who is recovering from brain cancer, get to know Everett kids, especially Elijah and Bogdan. Despite that he walks with a hobble due to losing motor skills, they warmed up to him and his story. I asked them to go to bed as they were sitting up on some rocks near Sitka cabins, and they said 'we are having 'real talk', can we have 10 more mins.  I reluctantly acquiesced, fearing I was losing my 'authority' as a head leader, but came back to find them all praying together, in fact, it was Jimmy praying for these guys.  What a beautiful picture. A brain cancer survivor who has received comfort from God, sharing ALL he had with some great young men who deeply appreciated the perspective and prayer.

Doesn't matter who were are, what we've been through, how qualified we are.  We ALL can help young people find hope.  It is worth the time, money (or lack of money), and energy.  He is worthy, his Kingdom is worth it.

Praying for Kamiak kids...and God working

It has been a heavy, difficult time of breaking the terrible news of the shooting and subsequent loss of the 3 Kamiak grads. The Kamiak leaders, Brittany, Nick J and I got together to make plans to share with the 30+ Kamiak kids to inform them of the shooting back home, give them basic facts, including the names of those involved, and pray.  It was a deeper grieving than we imagined.

At 11pm, our sharing began with tears, cumulated to intense mourning, and finished around 3am with tears hugs and an all group prayer.  Some of us leaders had never been a part of intense mourning like this.  A few girls lost their best friends.  Others lost neighbors.  Still others knew the shooter.  It was HARD. The next day (yesterday) was hard too as others realized they were well connected with the young people who had lost their lives.

Yet, in the midst of this, "in all things, God WORKS for the good."  God was working to restore, heal, bring light into the darkness.  I know this was true in Mukilteo, and also at Malibu.  As it turns out, there were a few licensed experienced grief counselors here as adult guests.  Our co-head leader Jeffrey Chambers from Chelan YL is sharing his story during 'Real Life' about losing his friends to shootings, including his mentor who was gunned down due to a mistaken gang identity.  And having Tyler Marcus here to help kids, he's the Marysville-Pilchuck YL leader who was there to support kids in the wake of the shooting there Not a coincidence that a number of the Mariner HS kids were still fresh in grieving from a classmate who was gunned down for the same reason. Additionally, the fact that some of the kids here knew that if they had not been here at Malibu, they knew they would have been at this party, as their friends were named as being present there.

I feel blessed that I happen to be here to help with these kids I've known for years and could be a trusted voice and presence in the darkest of times.  Thankful for our team here and the great leaders from West Sno Co who are present with kids.

God has been healing kids hearts.  God is moving amongst all kids and has their attention.  Pray for tonight as Kent shares about the cross!

Gotta go, off to the ropes course.

Just Do It...Jes-U-it!

The past few days flirted with the miraculous.

This picture is from a response time at Malibu at the end of the week where kids can express if they responded to God's invitation to life together in Him.  It is always miraculous to see how God draws heart that are far from him to 'come home' to relationship with him.

A highlight this week was having friends Wayne and Georganne Smith from Ellensburg, who are on our Inland NW Regional board, be our adult guest hosts. Our friends Mike and Nancy Schaeffer came too (Everett friends Justin and Kylene's fam.) The Smiths brought some awesome friends with them and we all had incredible times together watching God at work.

My highlight this week was from the kids from the storied 'Jesuit HS' in Portland came.  These kids had a strong base of Catholic education and church, yet very little experience in encountering God relationally, face to face.  They were refreshed by Kent's talks, having real talk in cabin time, and the 15 minute quiet times we gave them.  I shared my 'life journal' with a few of the guys who were incredibly curious to see someone who encounters God regularly.  A few of them began to journaling LOT.  One of them, David, was praying and journaling on night 5. He wrote a few prayers and prayed that someone would help him figure out what God has next for him.  Just then, I cracked the door open to see if everyone was asleep during my night watch. He felt God prompt him to go outside and talk to me and that God would speak through me. God hadn't given me the same 'heads up' that this was coming.  I was scurrying around camp at 12:30 looking for a missing Hong Kong female camper and when we found her, i was heading off to bed, determined NOT to get to sleep later then 1:20am like the past few nights.  As I walked by 'crossroads' at 12:45am, David was sitting there. He said 'God told me to sit here and that you'd come to talk to me.'  I played the cool card and just sat down.  I told him I had no idea what God wanted to say to him, but agreed to try to listen to God as we talked.  He shared about being from a long line of highly accomplished leaders.  His grandfather was a captain in the Army, his dad was a high caliber leader. He felt pressured and always called upon to lead and faked his way through the roles that seem to be thrusted upon him.  Then, some words of clarity jumped to the forefront of my brain. I relayed words I felt were from the Lord.  "Be teachable and humble. Surround yourself with transparent leaders and friends you can be REAL with. Fight pride at all costs.  Especially spiritual pride.  Get a group of friends who are not impressed with you and your leadership roles yet deeply care, and be real.  Then the last word I relayed was to 'seek wisdom from God.'  Read the book of Proverbs. Read a chapter a day for a month. It is a book full of wisdom, avoiding pride and constantly being teachable.  His eyes were as wide as the Malibu pool olympics 'lilly pads.'  He opened the journal he had just started and showed me the words 'Talk with Jeff' and 'Seek wisdom from God.'  Then my eyes got big.  Why was I feeling surprised that God orchestrated this conversation?

The next day leaders and students from Jesuit HS kept telling me that David was visibly changed, and wondered how I 'did that.'  I just listened and relayed a few words!  That last night, I joined the the Jesuit HS group of 50 students in their area 'say so' where they shared what happened that week with God.  It was humbling, amazing, and (shouldn't have been) shocking as to how powerfully God got a hold of many of these kids' lives. They discovered how RELATIONAL God is and it finally clicked with their knowledge ABOUT God they'd already had.  Such a joy to see young Catholic kids connect what they 'know' with what they can experience with God.

As I exchanged info with David, I said 'I want to shake hands with your dad.  Sounds like a great guy.'  Two leaders pulled me aside and asked me if I knew who his dad was.  I didn't.  They said he is one of the more influential men in Portland. He was about to become the next CFO of Nike, but stepped away from Nike to be the President of Jesuit schools.  They continued that they had been praying for God to open doors for YL leaders at this school that is historically 'closed' to leaders.  With David's experience, who knows, the door may be more open than ever because God is at work in touching a family.  Who knew?  If I could summarize for us all what I think God could teach us from this..."just listen, and 'just do it.'

WestSnoCo YL is here this week.  Praying for more miraculous, world changing moments!  Not just for me, but for leaders, our team, families, and YOU too!    -jeff-

Leaving space for God to move

Such a great first week in the books. Hong Kong, Issaquah-Sammamish, Portland (Mostly Sunset and Jesuit) and Wichita, Kansas.  I already have a page half full of notes from answered prayers. God is on the move. I found myself asking "Why would we be surprised with God actually 'working?'"

A leader from Sunset HS in Portland came to Malibu with the phrase "Leave space for God to move" on his heart from God.  During a leader meeting, he thanked me for the encouragement to 'be watchful, listen, trust and be responsive' for how God might prompt each leader this week with their YL kids.  Day 5, one kid opened up about how he felt discouraged and hopeless in his life and in himself.  That Sunset leader took a story I shared and immediately customized it. He asked his cabin of guys to each go around and share what they saw in their discouraged friend. They shared the truth of what they see in him, which in turn, spoke life into him. He was in tears of joy, hope and healing.  Then they prayed for him.  So powerful.  The next morning their cabin went for a hike up 'inspiration point.'  The leader was still looking for space for God to move. It started already when a kid asked if he could bring his guitar up the hike.  Sure, why not, make room for God could move. At the top, the kid played his guitar and invited the whole group of 30 to sing a few songs like 'Good good father.' Its created a significant moment while at this breathtaking, overlook point. Then a girl asked if she could share something from her journal. 'Of course!' (Making room for God to move, right?) She poured out pure gold from her journal and kids hearts were stirred. Then, the leader offered for the kids to take a 10 minute quiet time to think and pray at this lookout point. During the time, he felt God whisper to him that one kids just opened their heart to Jesus for the first time. At the end of the 10 minutes, he felt compelled to ask, "did any of you JUST open your heart to God for the first time?"  Immediately upon asking that, he second guessed himself. He felt stupid and completely set up for failure to even ask that. Then, a wide eyed kid responded "Uhh, yeah, I literally JUST DID. How the heck did you even know that."  I'll go ahead and answer that...it's because he made room for God to move...and he DID!

Incredible highlights came also from kids from Jesuit HS in Portland. I'll share in the next post. I'm still shocked at how amazing our God is and how he works not only in big ways, but subtle, small and undeniable ways that completely capture our hearts for Him. :)    -jeff-

Leavenworth student D'Andre's loss and gain

Earlier this year, Cascade-Leavenworth HS student D'andre Vasquez was in a car full of relatives heading down to Mexico to visit family. D'andre's mother, father, grandmother, and uncle were on the road in a car that was struck by other vehicles. D'andre and his family were rushed to the hospital in Spokane but only he and and his uncle survived the tragic accident.

 

TJ Ka'Apuni, our compassionate and responsive YL leader there, showed up to the school immediately after this happened and was invited to drive 3 hours with Cascade HS's principal to Spokane to the hospital where D'Andre was at, alone, and in a complete whirlwind of pain and loss.  since this moment, he has been covered in prayer and loved from folks all over. Due to this tragic loss, D'andre spent this year fatherless, and motherless, fighting hard to keep a smile on his face. D'andre was handed custody to his older brother David. 

He signed up last minute to come to WFR-Canyon, thanks to prayer, persistent invitations from caring leaders and friends, and YL scholarship money raised from generous friends like you. We celebrated that he signed up.  Well, he just returned from camp at WFR-Canyon. TJ reported that D'Andre's week was incredible. He noticed something different about faith compared to his understanding of faith before. He did not realize how relational Jesus is, and that its hard to talk some catholic folks about Jesus openly like he can with his YL leaders. The camp speaker, Kent McDonald, made it easier to understand what a relationship with Christ is like. By the end of the week, D'Andre said he is fully on board with Jesus, Young Life, and he wants to help reach the world of hispanics in Leavenworth!  Hopefully, Lord willing, even beyond. Lord Jesus, you are close to and lift the brokenhearted, in 'all things' you work good for those who love you, you make our greatest pains become our greatest purposes.  May you raise this young man up.

Hong Kong kids at Malibu

This week, a group of 61 campers came all the way from Hong Kong. I've never seen kids quite like these, especially when visiting cabins at 12:30am for 'lights out' and finding all the kids with their AP and SAT prep materials, calculators, and math study books. What the HECK, its MALIBU!  Kids were very responsive to YL's style of fun, but mostly sharing of the gospel, in which our speakers share their 'story' with transparency, humility, including our failures and mistakes. This is NOT the norm in HK. There is a 'saving face' culture, which makes it more difficult to get past the protective walls around kids hearts.

A few special moments with them involved walls breaking down.

Two kids were always the last two to the cabin at night. They would come from the 'smokers pit' where they would smoke cigars they brought.  When the leader asked about it, they were silent. When Josh dug deeper, they said they did not want their parents to find out. Apparently, as a cultural norm, in this culture, they keep all kinds of secrets out of fear of rejection. They are afraid of their intense, success-driven parents who offer little to no grace. Their secret lives go much deeper and darker then merely cigars.  Josh broke the ice by sharing his own mistakes, sin and imperfections from his own life. They were shocked. For the next hour, these kids began to let their guards down and open up their pain, hurts and sin they had never opened up to an adult before. As the week went on, more of the same continued with the kids with their leaders and our head leader team.

Also, after Kent Williams' message on night two, expressing how none of these kids are 'mistakes', they are known and loved by God, not because they earned it, but because they were made in his image. A group of HK kids were in tears afterwards as this realization that they are more loved than they will ever know.  Many have heard the words 'useless' 'a waste' 'an accident' and 'failure' over and over.  God is at work healing broken souls.

What a rare yet precious gift for all kinds of kids to have adults who care, share transparently, and earn the right to share the love of Jesus.  Perhaps the kids that encounter Jesus from Hong Kong could be the very ones who God could raise to change the world.  Let's pray big for every kid. -jeff-

JUNIOR becomes a SENIOR

Two summers ago at Malibu, a student from North Central HS named Junior came to camp with little to no faith. I was invited to join cabin time and got to witness God's amazing love. We took turns sharing ‘God’s thoughts’ for each person in the cabin, and as we spoke, a tsunami of grace knocked down the walls around these kids' hearts. The next morning, Junior and another non-believer prayed with their leader, Kolby, to open their hearts to Jesus because that was ‘the realest’ experience they’d ever had with God. **See his video here for more of his God-story**

Fast forward two years. Last week, Junior and a group of guys went with Kolby on a YL hiking trip. One of the guys, Chaz*, had endured a series of challenges. During the previous year, Junior had been sharing with Chaz how God had changed his own life, but in his hurt and anger, Chaz continued to avoid God. However, while at camp, Chaz confided to Junior and Kolby how life was not working out and how empty he felt. After sharing this, Chaz went off by himself for a while. When he returned, he pulled Junior over to talk.

Chaz shared that he had felt God’s presence, and as he had looked around and considered it, he had sensed that God is huge and could be his strength. Junior asked Chaz if he wanted to pray to start a relationship with Jesus. Just as Chaz responded, “Yeah man, let’s do it!” a strong gust of wind pummeled them for six seconds straight, nearly lifting them off their feet. “God is so powerful!” Chaz exclaimed. They prayed, and, with Kolby next to them a silent support through the whole conversation, he gave his life to Jesus. 

So much awesome in this picture: God moving mightily, presenting himself to Chaz through nature and Junior’s changed life; Kolby’s consistent presence as a YL leader; and Kolby's discipleship of Junior over the past two years, guiding him to the driver’s seat so he could lead his friend to Jesus.

Chaz reflected as the wind gusted in that burst, “My faith is like the wind, just because I can’t see it, doesn’t mean it is not there.”  Let's pray for kids at camps this summer that they would be overwhelmed with gale force winds of the Holy Spirit and would see and respond to Jesus' invitation to follow Him.    -jeff- 

PS- Junior will be on summer staff at Malibu 3rd sesh with me starting tomorrow. Such a treat! 

North Spokane and the cost of saying yes

I Planned a celebratory post about the new hire for North Spokane YL today. Two calls were made to the two AMAZING finalists. Both were prepared to process the decision with their spouses. Their current teams where they serve. One received an offer. One did not. I don't have more to say today. It was actually a very emotional day for me and both candidates.

Imagine spending two months praying 'all in' for serving in a community, then realizing it's not the direction that's best. The feeling of letting go of a dream of trusting God big and being in a new time that you'd need to reply on God like never before but surrounded by an enthusiastic, welcoming host of people...and it not being the person invited.

Imagine getting a call being offered a huge leadership role 6 hours from home, requiring leaving the only home community you've even known. And taking on a higher level of leadership you've ever taken on. And having to communicate to a whole community who deeply loves and values you and your leadership. It makes sense that he is praying over the decision before saying 'yes'.

These are among a few of the emotions being experienced by the two finalists.

I remember my process when I was invited to apply for the regional director position. I remember the sleepless nights. My heart beating out of my chest out of exhilaration, anticipation, reliance on God for his guidance, and the looming fear of being a total dud. After investing time, prayer; hundreds of conversations, and having my attention completely captivated, I found myself leaning in so deeply.

When i was in the final days, the thought of taking the job or not being invited to take it both felt costly. Either way, I was in deep. There was no way to protect my emotions. I would suffer either way.  Losing all I knew and held dear for the call and the honor of saying YES to the Lord, or the hurt of being passed up for whatever reason would be given.

So my post is about prayer for two all in men who took the risk to expose their hearts for the sake of following Christ, forsaking comfort and familiarity and wanting to be available for the Kingdom.

How are you leaving it all out on the field? Are you in a position where you are all in? Are you appreciating and honoring those who give all of who they are for the sake of Jesus and others? Thank and cheer someone on today. :).   -Jeff-

Miracle Whip

Friends-

We argue HOW to pronounce the word 'miracle.'  Do you say MEER uh cull?  Or MARE uh cull? Our friend Troy Schwenke says the latter.  99.9% of everyone else calls it the former.  This was not meant to throw Troy under the bus, but to pull you in like a tractor beam (insert sound effect.)  Miracles.  What are miracles you've seen?  What is coincidence?

Last week at Washington Family Ranch camp, an 80+ year old who works there, who has seen COUNTLESS miracles that God has performed said: "...but the greatest miracle of all is what God has done in my heart."  Do we see the miracle of a changed heart?  Do we give God credit, or is the change too incremental?  Or have we let him continue what he started...but aborted the last mission and took control back?  Miracles are all around.  Being at YL camps is a thin place, where heaven and earth seem closer than a typical day.  I want to share a few miraculous moments I heard a few days ago from a few YL leaders/staff who just returned from camp.

One of our leaders, when working at a their job at a prison in the Inland NW, got to know a particular inmate.  Over a period of time, this prisoner's heart was visibly changed by encountering Jesus and releasing a life of hate-filled sin.  The prisoner shared with the YL leader about his children and wanted prayer for their life to go a different direction.  A path of hope, love and a path of faith.

Fast forward a few years to this past month.  Guess who is in HS now and headed out for Young Life summer camp?  That inmates child.  God answers the prayers of prisoners.  My apologies for my atypical ambiguity (yes, Jeff can be known to be an over-sharer) but one of our areas has leaders reaching all kinds of kids, even hurting ones who have grown up with incarcerated parents.  Yet what a blessing in this story, that the parent became a pray-er.  And God HEARD the prayers of a convict and acted.  God 'called' a leader to show up to a school regularly, build relationships with all kinds of kids (not just the confident, hipster ones mind you), and create the kind of relational momentum (through prayer, boldness and faithfulness) where girls would sign up and invite friends to come to camp.  And that is what we can celebrate.  Light in the darkness.  Hope to the hopeless.  Releasing prisoners.  Isaiah 42:7 expresses that Jesus came "To open blind eyes, To bring out prisoners from the dungeon And those who dwell in darkness from the prison."

This echoed from Matthew 25 when Jesus expressed how he receives our efforts for those down and out as thought we served him directly. "When I was hungry, you gave me something to eat...when I was in prison, you visited me...whatever you've done for the least of these, you've done unto me."

I love that you and I can be a part of Jesus' work in this world.  Introducing young people to Jesus who would not otherwise, and help them find a path perhaps that was not clearly laid out by their families.  Or...the families had to rely on prayer from behind bars.  God helps the helpless. Isn't its great we can be a part of the answer to desperate prayers?  Beautiful.  Let's pray that the girls' experience at camp was a life altering, hope infusing impact!

These posts will start coming as we leave for Malibu in 10 days and the stories will be shared!  Stay tuned.  'Subscribe' if you choose.  -Jeff-

Fireworks and Quietworks: Evidence of God's grace

With all the 'fireworks' provided by God in his directing of our family to move from Everett to Spokane and the Inland NW Region, we wondered if there might be a red carpet paved through the Red Sea of the region. Not that we expected the paparazzi to be flashing pics as we unloaded our trucks, but we hoped perhaps that a 'small group' of friends might discover us and invite us in their incredible fellowship, or a best friend for both Janna and Dietrich would appear on the scene without skipping a beat. It has not been quite so easy.

Dietrich cries almost every night at bedtime from missing his friends. Tanya has been wrestling to find her 'place,' adjusting from being in such a sweet spot in Everett.  Janna, armed with an iPhone to communicate with friends back home, a resilient resolve, and a clarinet that gives her access to a room full of musically inclined friends; she has fared most seamlessly.  I had such a well-carved-out rhythm in my life in Everett that I'm still reeling from losing it.  I flourish when I have a daily and weekly connection with God (3 hour solitude weekly, daily journaling, small group every-other-week, having a home church, exercising 5 days a week, etc) and lost that groove back in the summer when the crazy train of transition left the station.

Here is what we do know.  God is with us.  Where God guides, God provides. We trust him.  His love never fails, he never gives up, and he doesn't run out of love on us.  Jesus revealed the heart of God's Fatherly heart for us when he expressed frustration towards a dependence upon miracles and signs (Mark 8:11-13.) We asked God for miracles and signs for this big decision and He GRACIOUSLY gave us them.  He does that for us at times.

Oswald Chambers says: "If God has given you a silence, then praise Him— He is bringing you into the mainstream of His purposes."

He desires a dependence upon HIM, his ever present Holy Spirit which guides us towards his will (love and bringing glory to Him) and away from sin, selfishness and fruitless living.  Thus, in the aftermath of God's miraculous leading of us here, we see the miracle of living in the "promised land"; the life God prepared for us, parted the seas, and paved the way for us to enter into.  We have a daily connection with God and miraculous displays of God's grace to discover.  God was already at work in this region before we arrived.  We are joining Him in it.  And He began a work in us and will faithfully work to complete it.

God is at work in extending his grace, which didn't run out Feb 1st when we moved.  Dietrich was just invited to a 'boys night out' from our friends the Jagers.  Tanya is the new prayer coordinator for North Spokane YL and has also been pursued to be the co-Women's Leadership Network leader for the region and is finding an exciting ways to serve.  Janna is applying to be on ASB next year and even was asked to share at the Regional Leadership Day to 400 volunteers about be-friending non-Christians.  I am growing into the giant role of a Regional Director.  He is equally faithful even when he is not as 'visible' as he is during the fireworks displays.

God is with us!  God is with you, whether you're over your head, in transition, in a dry season, or if you are in a holding pattern and withholding from God out of fear of the unknown.  He is with us!
-Jeff-