Finding Life At WSU After a Life Was Lost at Malibu

It was BIG news that ESPN was coming to Pullman for the big Friday night USC vs. WSU game. The downside was that it was the same weekend as the Fall Getaway camp for Young Life College at WFR-Canyon. WSU College Director, Gary Hopkins, sent out 100 last minute invites to WSU kids to come to camp after the game. Two car-fulls of kids responded, but it was one kid who responded back to Gary that stole the storyline.

This young man said 'thanks but no thanks to camp.' His 'no' was related to a traumatic experience with Young Life back in HS. Gary met up with him two days later, discussing reengaging with YL and God while in college. This freshman, from Chalice Idaho, shared about being at Malibu two summers ago. He went as a second timer with the motivation for bringing his little brother to come and similarly have the best week of his life too. While playing sand volleyball, his little brother served a ball over the net and into the ocean, and a classmate/exchange student ran to retrieve the ball from the water and tragically vanished under the swift tidal currents. The shock, pain of loss and trauma of this classmate and friend was beyond measure. In fact, this young man had not prayed, picked up a bible, or been to YL or church since that terrible incident.

Upon hearing his story, Gary invited him to join one of the YL college small groups that upcoming Wednesday. He went, picked up a bible for the 1st time in two years. He has connected with this small group, reconnecting with God. Simply the invitation to come to camp opened the door for this new beginning. Jesus came extending an invitation. Who are you inviting to 'come and see' Jesus?