Doble-Doble in the Dominican Republic

Dear Friends,
         Thanks for your prayers for Jenn and I and our family during our trip to the Dominican Republic last week. It was an amazing time of seeing how God is working through Vida Joven there. Camp capacity is about 160 people when packed full and we had 203(!) leaders there for the weekend-- sleeping in bunk beds, mattresses on the floor and pretty much anywhere we could find space.
         It was a beautiful first step towards a vision Vida Joven has— Doble-Doble (double-double). The goal is to double the number of leaders involved and the number kids coming to know Christ in the next 6 years.  It’s a goal they feel God has called them to and know is too big for them in so many ways—but not for Him.  The first step has been to raise up more leaders who can work with teens. Of the 203 at the camp, 90 were first year leaders, still young Christians who want to learn how to reach out to others with the love they’ve found in Jesus.  It was great to see their excitement and how God used the time to impact them.

        The next step in the plan is to bring more teenagers to outreach camp this summer. Last year they brought about 300 kids—this year they want to bring 540 teens—a huge one year increase, but a vision they feel called to and deeply excited about.  Here’s a link to a short video of Rafa Alejo, our national director in the DR, asking for your prayers as they strive to live out doble-doble and reach more kids for Christ.   http://vimeo.com/40095862
      Jenn and I leave shortly for another trip to Costa Rica and then Peru. Peru especially will be a vital time for our region as we’ll be meeting with 20 of our key South American leaders to help support them in their hope to live out Doble-Doble as well.  Thanks for your prayers for the DR, please pray that our time in Peru would be a blessing for all, and that God would give Young Life the teenagers who so badly need to come to know Him.  
Jack and Caroline with their friend Emilio, one of the Vida Joven student staff

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