Week One Is Over!!!

Hey guys,
Week one ended today and it is very bitter sweet. We had an awesome group here with kids from Colorado, Arizona, Las Vegas, California, and a group from SPAIN! This week I had an opportunity to share a little bit about my life in front of the entire camp during an event we called best day/worst day. It was a very spiritually and emotionally draining experience but went well. I cried through the entire thing but kids really got a good idea of what my best and worst days were. After I shared my story, I had a three leaders ask if I would join thier cabin times. This was so exciting. The first group we had the opportunity to hang out with was a group of girls from central phoenix. Because it was an entire group of girls, Kayla was able to meet the goup of girls with me. This was humbling because I very rarely have the opportunity to talk to large groups of girls about faith, forgiveness and grace. These girls were excited to know that, even though my life was very difficult at time, Gods grace has always been bigger.

The next cabin time we were able to sit in was with the group from Spain. This was the most unique and best experience I have had since coming on to young life staff over three years ago. It was amazing to see that the kids from Spain connected with my story. My favorite part was when I told them my last name. . . it sounds silly but when they found out that my last name was spanish, they got wide eyed and were really excited. They said they knew a lot of people with that last name where they are from. I think a couple of the girls might have had little crushes on me and the guys always wanted to hang out. I felt very encourage and loved by this group. At the same time, my heart broke for them. Where they come from, christianity is seen as an outdated tradition. During their cabin time, a couple of them said that they would be christians if they knew that there would be other christians where they live. It was really sad to hear them say this.

The last cabin time didn't ever happen but the girl that wanted to meet up with me found me before she left and she said that I was a big inspiration to her and that I made being a Christian look different than she had seen before. She said that hearing my story made her think that God could use her to do big things one day. I got teary eyed and, broke the Young Life rule and gave this girl a hug. She was very sweet and her words were some that I hope I never forget.

This week was amazing but now its time to gear up for Young LIVES. Care takers arrive tomorrow and the teen moms get here the following day.

Before I sign off, I just want to commend my wife for all her love and hard work this week. She has been my hiding place away from the business and has also stepped up in making sure I'm doing ok. She's the best. I'm a lucky man. God is good.

IN HIS GRIP-JEREMY