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-
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