Overflow...
Dear Friends,
The
first part of overflowing was the
sheer number of people at the Young Life camp in Nicaragua (called La Finca—‘the farm’). La Finca was definitely filled to overflowing—we
had 287 leaders
at the property for 5 days, and the camp is really built to sleep 200! Almost
all of the 287 were level 1 and 2 leaders—young potential leaders, mostly 17-23
year olds, who are in training to become Young Life leaders in their
communities.
What
comes to mind when you think of ‘overflowing’? Maybe you think of streams and rivers in
spring, or maybe you think of a cup spilling out when you overpour, or maybe
another image comes to mind. I’m asking because Jenn and I’s time in Nicaragua
before Easter made me think of this word often.
The
first part of overflowing was the
sheer number of people at the Young Life camp in Nicaragua (called La Finca—‘the farm’). La Finca was definitely filled to overflowing—we
had 287 leaders
at the property for 5 days, and the camp is really built to sleep 200! Almost
all of the 287 were level 1 and 2 leaders—young potential leaders, mostly 17-23
year olds, who are in training to become Young Life leaders in their
communities.
It’s not exactly ideal to have 287 people at the camp—it creates
shortages of mattresses, blankets, space to eat, etc. (and leads to another
overflowing if we’re not careful—the septic system J.
) But it is incredibly exciting and
powerful to be with an extra large group of young Christians like this, many
fairly young in age and in their faith walk as well, but who know they want to
serve others and share Jesus. It felt like God’s Spirit was overflowing here.
In classes, small groups, night talks, prayer times, it was great to hear
people being called deeper in their walk with Jesus and in their call to young
people. One potential leader said afterwards of the camp: “I can see how Jesus touched my heart, and called me to do more with
work with teens…and to focus myself more on Jesus. I want to be a counselor and a disciple of
Jesus teaching more teens.” It’s truly
great to be where God is at work.
We
also felt a real overflowing of joy with some great fellowship. Being with the
senior Nicaraguan leaders who helped run the camp was a great joy and watching
the fruit of their work coming to the camp was a great celebration for all of
us. Jenn also spent a lot of quality time with three of the missionaries she’s
coaching and spent time with them in their world, which was really important
for them and for her. We were blessed to be able to be there together and to
have some great time of community with them all.
 |
| Jenn and I at La Finca |
It really felt like a week full of Romans 5:15—“how much more did God’s grace and
the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow
to the many!” God’s grace, joy, peace and Spirit
overflowing onto all of us throughout the week—so that we and these Nica
leaders might be filled up to go share the beauty of this message with others. Keep
praying for this overflow to continue to bear fruit in Nicaragua.
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