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-

Malibu 2015 Post #6

Tanya will share her most recent AMAZING story here....very soon.... PS- That's HER on the stage with the black shirt.

We had a great 3rd week with the Real Life panel.  I shared my story... but just a slice of it.  It's funny because there have been so many crazy, bigger than life events in my life, but the theme I highlighted for this year's real life panel was the absent father theme that left me wanting to be wanted and the achiever theme that causes me to struggle to give God control over my life. Although these are enough and relevant, I often have wondered if this is enough relevant material to have me on the real life panel instead of somebody else.

Last camp, God helped me to see that I was the right person for this panel in the middle of my strategy and wondering if it was the right combination of stories.  After the Real Life presentation, one of the campers who approached me to ask questions shared that nothing crazy has happened in her life.  She said she didn't relate to the other stories shared, but she did relate to what I shared because she is struggling to give God control of her life.  She revealed that she is hesitant to trust God with her life because she is a DOER and thinks she can do a great job herself without him.  As an achiever, I know, it is hard to allow God to control your life when you think you are doing a great job and can continue to steer life in your desired direction.  We talked about trust.  We talked about how to be in relationship with a God who is more concerned with the relationship than the works we achieve, connecting with God as a basis for relationship rather than doing, asking God what he thinks of us and journaling.

 She gave me a warm hug and a hearty thanks. (I found out later...)  She left our conversation to meet with her leader, Suzy.  Suzy sensed strongly that this camper needed to hear words of truth of what God thought of her.  The words of deep words of truth flowed quickly from Suzy's lips to this thirsty camper like a refreshing river on a hot day.  Afterwards, Suzy felt like the words were for her too, not just for the camper.  The camper left the meeting with her leader and sat alone on a rock with her journal and pen to digest what had happened.  As she filled 6 pages in her journal, she sensed that God desires for her to know that she is wanted.  Not because of what she earns, but simply because of who she is, the beloved daughter of the King of the Universe.    Wanted... yes... I am wanted...  Several lines were dedicated to that phrase.  For the first time in her life, she felt wanted and decided to begin a life with God where she gives control over to Him.

To commemorate this commitment and symbolize her revelation of being wanted by God, she went to the camp store to buy a ring.  She picked out the perfect ring, simple with straight lines and a cross cut out.  While standing in line she realized the song playing in the store was "Wanted" by Hunter Hayes.  When she realized this, she couldn't believe her ears!  How very wanted and know she feels by God to orchestrate such details for her delight.

All of this, I found out the next day.  This student stood up during the last club during the portion where campers who make a commitment to Christ stand up and say so.  She stood up with Suzy, and told the camp that this week she is ready to give God control of her life.  Her eyes sparkled when she said it and inside my heart leaped for joy and excitement over God's intention for this young lady's life.  After the club, I found her, she greeted me with a hug and told me the whole story I told you and she thanked me again.

God uses what we give when we are faithfully serving.  I thought I had it figured out.  I thought it odd that I was sharing a mild slice of the story of what God has done in my life.  It was sweet to end with a story about how God used what seemed ordinary and not particularly dramatic to draw kids to himself. I'm thankful that God used it to bring campers closer to Him and feel lucky to be part of the proclamation.  As the campers for this week left, Jeff and I stood at the beginning of the ramp and were shocked at how thankful the campers were.  They all thanked us.  I think the overall message kids hear when they come to camp is that they are wanted.  Some hear it by watching the work crew serve selflessly, or the excellence of the program, the beauty of the property, or the unending love of their young life leaders who brought them to camp.

This week we have a new camp, there is no Real Life panel. We have a 5 day camp with a condensed schedule.   More updates soon!!

Malibu 2015 Post #5

Friends-

God is on the move, and we are giving our best here at Malibu in setting up leaders for success and seeing kids open their minds and hearts up to God.  This past week we had 342 campers.  It felt very full and full of energy.  My highlight was on night 6 when I sat on 'the rock' near the Malibu Rapids and the pool, where a leader prayed with a camper during the 15 minute quiet time.  I had no idea the backstory, but it was a cool sight I wanted to share. 

Heather Hoglund has been a God-send as a Head Leader.  She arrived Day 3 in the morning after Ann had to leave, and she has not missed a beat.  She got to know leaders, kids, connected well with the team, and even had some 'shout outs' during a A-Team meeting, and the trip coordinator meeting. God truly answered out prayer with her coming with less than 12 hours notice!

We had some great guests with us this past 1/2 week.  Bryan Blair's wife Debbie and three kids Sam, Nick and Julia.  What a joy to have them and see their huge smiles at Malibu.  Also gloriously present were longtime friends Ryan and Chelsea Morell, former EHS YL kid from class of 2001.  Lastly, we brought up our friend Larry Karr (and Janet) who is Jeff's massage therapist and also is a 'fishing friend' for Jeff, Janna and Dietrich.  Larry and Janet enjoyed all Malibu has to offer and gave out 24 massages to the assigned team Jeff has been leading. Knot a bad idea, eh? 

Our last ropes course day was a success. I am at the bottom of the course. belaying down campers as they jump, step or scoot off.  It was good latissimus dorsi and rhomboid workout for me. See the bottom right corner of the pic here to see my view of things from 7am to 5pm.  Larry is at the top looking warily down at me here.  He may have said a bad word before jumping for the bar. 

Our program team has consistently poured out their energy to welcome kids and set up leaders for success.  Everett native Merrick Rutledge has done great and has become a fan favorite.  Jenica and Blake from NW Seattle YL have consistently given their best all for the sake of kids and Christ.  Here's them on stage (below) as the "Hamstars."  Basically Hamsters who want to be GOATS (Greatest Of All Time.)  I know, right?  

Tanya once again hit the ball out of the park while sharing with Ross, Tyson and Nicole on the 'Real Life' panel. They all slayed it. Tanya will share more about an encounter she had after it in the next post.

Pray for our last week that arrived today.  It is a 5 day camp with 375 freshman campers from Oregon and a few from WA.  Pray we give our best, pray the kids have open and soft hearts.  Pray for us to have strength and grace for one another and for campers.  And, pray for the miraculous.  Why pray small with such a GREAT God who can do "immeasurably more than we could ask or imagine?"  To HIM be the glory. Thanks friends!

Malibu 2015 Post #4

This week has become the smoothest yet.  Heather Hoglund's arrival as our new Head Leader has been a huge blessing. We are all healthy and seem to be hitting our stride.  The thick, ashy yellow skies are cleared up and blue skies are back

Tanya has been on a 4-person panel each week called "Real Life."  Days 3, 4, and 6, she and the other 3 (Nicole Ramos, Ross Stewart and Tyson M) share critical, formative elements from their past that led to them understanding their need for God, often through being confused or angry with him first, and how they decided to entrust their lives to God. Kids have responded very openly to this style of sharing...authentic, honest, and descriptive.  It takes a lot of emotion to stir up the past, yet it has served as a guide for kids to see how others overcame their hurdles to faith.

I was able to take our team (38 of us) to the legendary 'Chatterbox Falls' for a few hours of adventure and rest.  This site is one of the Top 10 'Most Beautiful Places' to visit for boaters in the world, often called the "Sistine Chapel of the Pacific." This pic is of Elizabeth Aagard doing her best impersonation of Ariel from Little Mermaid. Dietrich climbed all the way up the stream to the waterfalls with Bryan Blair guiding him, while others and I performed a 'rite of passage' of diving underneath the water in the frigid rapids, pulling a submerged stone out of a cavernous spot underneath a giant rock (with a GoPro on...footage to be posted later from our friends via a flashdrive we will send home.)  Dietrich, me, Work Crew Boss and 20+ year volunteer leader/Shorewood HS leadership teacher/coach Paul Villanueva, Josh Thrash, Darrelle, and Bryan Blair all became 'men' with this act.  Great to have some fun memories as we serve tirelessly to give every kid and leader the best week of their life.

Great stories are surfacing here.  Today, when I was on the ropes course, a leader recognized me.  He updated me on a student, Baley from Mt Si High School, who I met on the ropes last year.  As Baley hesitated to jump for the bar off the platform at the end, out of pure nerves, I got his attention and said, "Baley, go for the bar. This is just like reaching out to God and trusting that He is there for you and will catch you, this is your time to take a step of faith."  He looked at me in a way I didn't anticipate. His eyes transformed from panic, to peace before my eyes. He nodded his head, and he said, "Okay, I will do that!"  And he jumped.  I was told by his leader that later that night, he took the leap of faith and prayed to God to commit his life to God.  I thought that was solid.

So today, that leader, Josh Baldwin, told me the backstory. A year or so previous to coming to Malibu, Baley's brother had tragically taken his own life. Shortly after, in the wake of this, his parents divorced.  Baley doubted there could be a God and had no interest coming into Malibu. By the day of the ropes course God had reestablished Himself to Baley, he was open to giving God another chance to trust, despite the heartache he blamed on God.  At the ropes, he took the symbolic jump to trust that it was sin that led to his brothers suicide and parents divorce, not God's plan.  I got the update that a year later, Baley, is at YL's WFR-Creekside camp leading middle school kids. He went on a mission trip.  He is flourishing in his faith and is a changed person since he opened his hurt heart and trusted. There are SO many young people, gosh, and older too, who have seen the hardships of life and blamed God for doing a disappearing act. What if the disappearing that happened was us, as people, who turn our back, leave God out of the equations of our lives, and God truly is there, omnipresent, with his arms out to us, able to do more than we could ask or imagine?  That my friends is the gospel. "For I came not to condemn the world, but to save it..." John 3:17.

Malibu Update #3

For our 3rd week, it started off with a tough break. Elsewhere in Young Life there was something urgent that came up and one of our Head Leaders, Ann, had to leave immediately.  She happens to be the VP of Human Resources for YL and is a mission-wide 'on call' crisis person. Her absence resulted in us being a person down on our team. This is during our largest week so far with 350 campers.  We had to think fast.  Yesterday, AS this was going down, I got in touch with "pro" Head leaders Lori Hein and Heather Hoglund from back home. Both said yes but Heather felt like she had the full "green light" from the Lord to come. So...in a matter of hours, she caught a sea plane and landed at Malibu this morning around 11am, during the regatta water events on the inner dock.  We gave her a hug and handed her her schedule and her head leader radio/walkie-talkie. She jumped right in to help us carry the weight of leading all these leaders and kids.  And...she was also RIGHT on time for our a-team and family excursion to Chatterbox Falls, a top ten 'most beautiful places' in the world to visit by boat. God answered our prayers LIGHTNING fast with Heather coming!  Thank you Lord.  Excited to see what God will do this week!  Join us in prayer.

Malibu 2015 Post #2

We have finished our first two weeks so far and our 3rd week arrived today at 2pm with 350 campers.  Now as the others are home, leaders get to follow up with kids with what they started and experienced here.  This is a majestic and 'thin place' where God seems as though He's a small distance between us and Him.  We know the because of Jesus' work on the cross, He actually is always near and accessible, just seems more apparent up here.

Here's a few more highlights:

In a cabin of guys from Enumclaw, after they heard Tank's 3rd message at camp about our 'need' for God. One not-yet-a-believer kid said, mid way through cabin time, "I feel like our life is a 2000 piece puzzle, and sin is that we are all scrambled, and Jesus is like the the picture on the puzzle box so we know how to follow what we are trying to do in the life God is giving us." Love that! 

Our speaker Tank used illustrations of a Starbucks cup and how we fit all kinds of ingredients in our 'cup' (each represented activities and pursuits we squeeze into our life) but then end up having no room for coffee. We do this to God too.  Tank's illustrations are vivid and got kids talking.  This one resonated with kids from almost every cabin we heard. 

It has been fun to see the work crew bosses Elizabeth Aagard and Josh lead the dining hall, and our area work crew kids Jabari, Andrew Smith (kitchen) and Olivia Cooper serve so well in there.

Olivia's (and summer staffer Maddy's) parents from Everett, Lin and Marci, visited as adult guests and were blown away by YL, Malibu and how was all encounter God here.

They REALLY showed their true colors at the Pirate theme night (see picture.)
I have some new friends and I hope they get involved with YL in WestSnoCo!  We love them.

During the Work Crew welcome on night one each week, the WC kids storm the stage and sing "Be our Guest" Disney style and our Mariner student, Jabari Baker, starts off the whole group in singing the first note.  Love this!

 

We treated our entire assignment team to a midnight run at the Totem Inn for all you can eat ice cream, food and more.  It was a blast.  Long-time friend (former YL 'kid' 11 years ago) and current Marysville YL leader, Tyler Marcus, joined me in delivering a spontaneous program walk-on for them, mocking the highlights and awkward moments from our time so far. I laughed mostly at Tyler as we dressed in random character outfits he had made up for us to dress up in.  Our team had fun together at the table (see pic.) Thanks to the Malibu 'property committee' for footing the bill for this.

Dietrich and Janna have LOVED their new friends. Janna is almost inseparable with Charlie (girl) Tankersley and Harper Niebruegge (below).  Dietrich can hardly choose which friend to adventure with.  This week, its Emmett Stewart (Ross's son) as they snuck kitchen knives to whittle sticks for their secret beach fort.



A few more solid stories:

One of the very first night of camp, before campers arrived, I spoke to all the work crew (45), summer staff (35), interns/property (35) and assignment team (28 plus kids.)  I prayed about how to illustrate the kind of posture I had been sensing God was inviting us all to take this month; a posture of expectation for God to move. I shared about a Bothell kid, Max, who came last year to Malibu.  Here is what I shared.  Max had little to no expectation that He would encounter God and didn't even want to be at camp. His leader invited him to take a step towards God. Try opening up his Bible for the first time, and give God a shot.  He abliged.  He opened up the bible randomly to John 5, which is about a man who had been waiting for something to happen to help his life get better.  Jesus approached the man and asked if he wanted to be well.  The man immediately went into his excuses as to why he had been sitting around, not getting better. Jesus lifted him up.  Max realized that was a perfect 'word' for him.  Wow, the first thing he read in the Bible spoke to exactly where he was at in life.  His mind was blown.  But, God wasn't done.  I was camp speaker and I had already had planned to read John 5 that night, and invited the campers to consider "Do you want to be well?"  Max came up and asked "Did my leader tell you to read that?"  I didn't understand why he asked that, but he told me the story.  His mind was FURTHER blown.    Okay....fast forward to last week.  I shared this story to motivate us all to expect God to move in unexpected ways.  I showed the kid's picture on the screen with me with him, THEN, a summer staff girl stood up, astounded, and she blurted "THAT IS MY BROTHER!!!" In front of all 150 of us.  She explained that that week and that encounter with God changed his life.  Here is a pic of Max and I last year, and Samantha and I two days ago.  Mind blown AGAIN!  Wow God.

Seattle Seahawks long-snapper, Clint Gresham, who leads at Mercer Island YL, was at the inner dock and one of the girls on the trip, who has had family abandonment issues, was there, and Clint felt led to share "God wants to be as a Father to you, to be there, fully present for you, and to be your guide to find your way through. You're not alone, and you are his loved daughter."  Which is true statement of God.  She burst into tears, thanking Clint, and later wrote down everything she said and told Clint that this was exactly what she was waiting to know if this was true about God. 

Malibu and Young Life are super fun, yet sometimes the deeper meaning overpowers the fun.  A group of 17 girls finally got deep and 'real' in cabin time and they skipped out on both the late night activities, the carnival and the "Western Review" variety show, and instead, had a 4 hour cabin time that ALL the girls insisted on staying in (no one was held hostage.)  They all hugged and prayed for one another after finally opening up after feeling unsafe to all year & week.

One girl said after the 2nd night of cabin time, "I hope God can fill all the voids in my heart and life, I feel like I am missing so much in my life."  Then, the next night, Tank shared exactly those words, that God is not a drawer in the dresser, he IS the entire dresser, he doesn't want to be part of our life, but the whole thing.  And in sharing about the starbucks cup being filled with fillers and sweeteners instead of coffee, the light bulb camp on for her.  The void, what has been missing, is God himself!

As usual, at the end of the week at Malibu, we give kids who have made a decision that week to respond to God's offer of relationship, a opportunity to stand up and "say so." Last week and this week, it was a tear-filled moment of joy to see kids stand up, say their name and share what they decided.  Here's a picture below from this morning from week 2.  This never gets old, friends.  Luke 15 says that there is a celebration in heaven over even ONE person who turns to God.  It means another person is added to the guest list of an everlasting party.  So...when over 70 kids stand up in 2 weeks, its worth a huge cheer.  Would you cheer with us?   Lets hear it!!!!!

I could keep going, but its fast paced here. The internet is slow yet we have 1 day left for our 'internet allotment' cycle and we have about 2 more GB of data we get to 'use it or lose it' so I'm goin' all in on pics. Then we have to send pictures home on flash drives with guests to post for us like we did last year.  Can't wait to experience more and share more of this. 

-Jeff and Tanya-

Malibu 2015 Post #1

Friends-

This first week serving as camp director and serving with our family here at Malibu was a blast.  Dietrich did the high ropes course. I met Susan Hutchison the longtime news anchor.  Our 4th head leader Ann Shackelton finally got across the border.

No more yellow skies and ashes covering Malibu.  Kids on work crew would have a job to go around and 'ash wipe'.  Hilarious.  We had all volunteer leaders last week, many of them teacher-leaders.  Very committed, and also very gracious.  This week is Mercer Is, Bothell/Woodinville, Lake Oswego, Enumclaw, Redmond Or, and Puyallup.  We are on 'Day 4.'

(The sky last week after the smoke from the fires clouded the sky. that's the sun...it was pure red)

'Tank', our speaker here, who is also the Northwest Divisional Vice President, has been a joy as a speaker to work with.  He teaches me as he speaks and we have conversations, and I sense I am able to do my job as Camp Director even with a high level leader 'under' me.  His illustrations as a speaker are world class.  I will steal from his repertoire for sure. Although its my first time in my director role, I have seemed to have been decent.  I'm learning a lot! 

A SWEET Highlight:

I joined 3 kids from Walla Walla whom I bonded with at camp and was invited in their cabin time. At the end, I prayed with them and their leader.  I invited them to pray for each person, one at a time, and before we pray out loud to take a moment to allow God to put a word, a verse, a picture, or a truth about that person.  They all agreed.  The Lord spoke to and through each kid and leader to each other in a specific, vivid, powerful way.  As we prayed for the first kid, Justin, the leader shared Philippians 4:13 to him.  I sensed the Lord had equipped him with the spiritual gift of 'wisdom' and that he needs to keep a journal to store up wisdom as God gives it to him.  Then, I shared that he needs to have page where he draws a line down the middle of the page and on the left side, write what gets him down, depressed, and the lies he believes about himself.  And on the right side, what God's truth is about them and the truth.  A few other solid things were shared from the other kids.  After we were done praying for Justin, I asked him how that was.  He asked "are we done?"  I said yes.  Then all the guys jumped up freaking out, yelling "No WAY!! That was mindblowing!!  Whoa!!!" I was confused why they reacted this way.  Turns out, Justin has a bracelet and on the inside of it, he has Philippians 4:13, which his leader Kyle didn't know.  Then, he shared that during his one-on-one with Kyle (leader) Kyle expressed that he thinks Justin has the gift of wisdom and to take that seriously.  THEN...he shared that during cabin time, Kyle expressed to the guys that they need to each get a sheet of paper, on a journal, and draw a line down the middle and on the left, write lies and struggles and on the right, truth and verses from the Bible that relate.  I can't make this stuff up friends!

ANOTHER HIGHLIGHT:

There were some incredibly warm and generous adult guests from Denver/Boulder.  As I got to know them, many knew Dave Ringeon (and his co-workers Pete and Paul), as I name dropped my "Young Life leader" (in addition to Joel of course) who lives in Boulder.  Anyways, one of the families put a tab in the Totem Trader for any kids of 'need' to be able to go on a shopping spree to buy some YL clothes.  The kids from Shelton who were 'selected' by leaders were blown away by the anonymous giver and wrote extremely touching and heartfelt thank you notes.

Tyson Motsenbocker, who is becoming a top tier musician amongst the very best of YL, is becoming a friend too.  Such a humble, talented guy.

We have 5 WC kids here (Jabari from Mariner, Olivia C, Micailah M, Andrew S, Elycia M) and 2 Summer Staff (Maddy Cooper and Destiny) They are all flourishing.  Such a joy to see them growing deeper in community and in Christ.  Bryan Blair our area Wyldlife Coordinator is Head Leader and he is flourishing as well.   He notices so many things and helps Malibu run smoother by his calm, strong presence.  EHS YL grad ('12) Merrick Rutledge is on program and is doing great, especially as a 1st timer at the job. He's been a crowd fave. Lots of WestSnoCo YL reppin'!  We have Tyler Marcus arriving as well as the Moe's who are on YL committee in our area.  Then next week, the Blair family and longtime friends, the Morells, are visiting. 

Prayer:

This week we have 100 more campers.  Next week (in 3 days) we will have 200 more campers (close to 400) and the last camp is a 5 day camp from Oregon with 400 campers.  14 days left!  Praying all goes well and the Lord moves in me, amongst us, and in the lives of the remaining/current 1000 campers.

Pray for me and energy and focus to support all the assignment team folks.

Pray for unity amongst work crew and WC bosses

Pray for health for all summer staff, WC and teammates.  A few are sick.

Pray for Jesus to be lifted up and kids to be drawn to him!