“Peace, bring it all to peace” (Tremble MSC) was the line that was on our minds last night and this morning as we ventured into a day full of unknowns, on-the-fly decisions, and new people.
Over these past three days, I have personally been amazed at our team’s willingness and desire to dive into the deep end, to walk into awkward, sometimes socially uncomfortable conversations and actually embrace them. The team has already shown their heart and love for every single person we meet, young or old. My heart is encouraged after seeing the youth dive into ministry this morning at Church, tonight as we prepped for Alpha, went to the Sportsplex to hang out and invite youth to come to our events, and as we ran a Café time on a quick change of plan. Every interaction that these youth are having is showing His love, even when they may just be enthusiastically and without reservation facilitating a group game (thanks Audrey-Ann. Seriously, she is the best at group games) and even when they may be sitting next to a youth who is playing a game and authentically and with complete love cheering out their name and encouraging them (Faethe. You amazed me today).
Each and every one of our team members have stepped out of their comfort zone and have jumped into ministry tonight. Despite a long day of running Kid’s Church this morning, setting up for our events, and playing Volleyball at the Sportsplex they have not hesitated to love these youth for a second.
Yes, it has been a little crazy today. Plans have changed multiple times and it seems that “go with the flow” is our N60 motto, but even when it challenges their comfort and routine it has encouraged my heart that our team has put their trust in God understanding that He has something great planned despite our own schedule.
To give you a bit of background on Behchoko: Most of the youth that we encounter up here in Behchoko come from hard homes, difficult family situations, and participate in heartbreaking activities. We know that they need to be loved authentically, the way that Jesus would have loved them if He were walking through this town (in His winter parka of course). Our goal this week is to 1) show them the love of God through our actions, words, and friendships and 2) to give them a safe place to be. Despite the craziness that their lives might be and the things that they go through we hope to be God’s love in their life this week, and I can definitely say that your kids are already being that love.
Currently, your kiddos are hanging with the youth next door in the Church watching a movie. Tomorrow we will wake up, do team devotions, prayer, set up for Café, head over to the Sportsplex to invite and hang out with youth, and then run Café & Alpha. Café is a time of board games, video games, art, free coffee beverages and snacks and a valuable time to connect and build foundational relationships with these youth. It is a time to show them that they matter, are loved, and are deeply valued. Around 5:30 our team will take dinner rotations to leave the Church open for the youth that may not have a place to go home for dinner. At 7:00pm we will start our Youth Alpha programming which involves videos, discussion about who God is and explains the basics of Christianity in a safe and welcoming environment. At around 9:00pm we start a movie and youth can stay and hang out until that is over!
It has been neat for myself this trip as many of the youth that we met last time while we were here were excited to come back and hang out. They even remembered our names. That is God working. That is His love breaking through the darkness and lingering. That is the Holy Spirit at work. That is Love. Although these kids might have a shell that seems tough to break, they are open and longing to be loved and be in a safe, welcoming place. We could not be doing this again without your kiddos and cannot wait to see what the rest of the week holds. Cole & I could not be more excited for this week and are amazed at the team that God has provided us with.
Despite the craziness at times, God really is bringing the chaos and storm to peace.
We will keep you posted on what is going on and what your kiddos are up to. God is SO good. He is SO present. We are SO thankful for what He is doing here in Behchoko, NWT.
See you soon.
- Jessica
To my family: love you all muchly. Couldn’t have made it here without you.
To the parents:
I know that I am just one leader, but I am POSITIVE that every single one of us leaders have noticed something out of each of the youth we brought on our team. Seriously, your kids are awesome and it has been a pleasure and an honour to watch them already step out of their comfort zones, talk to youth, hand out invitations, and love one another. Yes – they are loud and crazy at times but we could not be more thankful for their passion and heart for our Lord and for their desire to love the youth up here. Thank you for parting with them for the week. You would be proud, I sure am.
A couple big prayer request are as follows:
- Health (there’s a bit of exhaustion creeping in and sickness lingering)
- That the youth here would be excited, open, and willing to come to our events and stay for Alpha! That they would be open to what God has for them.