Seeing leaders grow....


Dear Friends,
     Thanks for your prayers for Jenn and I’s trip to the Dominican Republic last week. We really enjoyed the time seeing old friends, training leaders and caring for Young Life staff. God is clearly at work in YL in the DR—since Jenn and I left our role there just a few years ago, the ministry has almost doubled in the number of clubs and students involved!  Seeing what is happening there is a great reminder that ministry isn’t our work, but God’s and we’re privileged enough to be invited to join in.


The DR staff and student staff

Jenn with Katie and Emily, two of the women
she coaches....and Emilio.
We were so blessed to see leaders we’ve known for years who are growing and maturing. When Jenn and I lived in the DR, Fernando and Esther were college students who were helping lead clubs ---- now they’re married and they were sent as missionaries to plant a new area for Young Life. They’ve done such a great job of developing leaders they now have 4 clubs started and growing. Orlin, Emilio and Abi were new Christians and high school students who I spent 3 weeks with as work crew for summer outreach camps in 2006-- they are now all in college and serve as club directors leading teams of volunteer leaders.  And those are just a few examples-- what a privilege to spend time with these leaders and many others who are growing and serving.  
RC Sproul says ‘I have had just enough taste of the majesty of God to want more. I know what it means to be a forgiven man and what it means to be sent on a mission. My soul cries for more. My soul needs more.’  I was struck by that during our time together in the DR—through YL each of us have seen God at work changing lives and we’ve glimpsed His majesty. We’ve each been forgiven and sent on a mission. We’re grateful for that--and it makes us long for more.
So thanks for helping make this time of training, coaching and renewal for these leaders possible.  Please be praying for the leaders in the DR—as they reach out each day to hundreds of teens who don’t yet know the Lord and join in with what God is doing in the barrios of the Dominican Republic.

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