A month in the States - Project Bring Zack Back

It’s been just over a month since I returned to Ashburn, Virginia after living in Nazareth and so far the weirdest thing was...walking back into Costco. Honestly, it blew my mind when I walked around the warehouse that has everything…literally everything. I had just become accustomed to visiting more specialized shops. One for bread, one for fruits & veggies, another for meat. There is a grocery store near my house, however it is about the size of a restaurant and mostly contains the basics for the kitchen and home. So if you were to ask me what it’s like to be back in America after living in Israel…there’s one of my answers.

In other news, summer was full of activity as I was involved in 9 camps doing various duties (leader, program team, dish cleaner, referee, etc). Since September began, it has been nice to have some time to relax here at home with mom and dad. I actually returned on Mom’s birthday but told her it would be a day later in order to surprise her. Coordinating with my aunt who lives close by, mom opened the door and let out a worthy yell “AAAHHHH!!” 7 out of 10 on the volume scale, 8 out of 10 on the high pitch scale. hahaha!  11 out of 10 on the happy momma scale!

I’m so thankful to have parents who support me with what I’m doing in Nazareth, even though it’s hard for each of us to live on opposite sides of the world. Already, the time with them has been great and I look forward to the next few months ahead with them.

The next few months…that’s right I said it. 

The current plan that I’m taking active steps towards is to Return to Nazareth by March. 

HOW? 

First, my VISA expired so I am applying for a new one. Something you can pray for is that It is accepted by the Israeli Gov’t.
Second, I am fundraising. The goal is $65,000 total to pay for my next two years of living in Nazareth. I will officially go on Young Life international staff this coming January and with that comes more money to raise.

God has taken care of me so far in this area, and I’m trusting Him to continue to provide. This provision has come with some amazing people supporting me financially. I only get to encourage and develop leaders through Young Life with the support of others. You can help me out too!!

Project: Bring Zack Back comes from the students back in Nazareth. A few of them helped me by responding to some questions and putting them on video (you can watch it here).

If you want to be part of project: Bring Zack Back

- CLICK HERE - Giving Link

- Click the blue [Area Number] button

- Type – X469 – in the space and click SEARCH

- It should say Nazareth-Miller

- Scroll down and enter in the amount to give. You can set up giving to happen each month, 1 time every 3 months, or just a 1 time gift.

Finally, this past week I ventured south to Atlanta, Georgia. I visited my sister Emily who is teaching there. Also, my own young life leader, Pete Hardesty, invited me to join him down at the annual Catalyst Leadership Conference which was an awesome and encouraging event. Some amazing speakers shared wise words concerning the main theme of “uncommon fellowship”. One specific statement was about how “as a body of people believers, the church can look past the things we don’t have in common, and focus on the one thing we do have in common, JESUS.” Honestly, I took so many great notes and returned home energized and focused on work I need to do. 

Side Note: I got to meet Pastor Judah Smith from Seattle, WA. Over the past years I’ve watched his sermons and love how he shares the Word of God. Straight up I was so giddy when I got to say hello to him. I shared that I was a YL Leader in Nazareth and I’ve listened to his sermons for encouragement. He replies with “What?! Man that’s crazy…man you inspire me.” I laugh at myself being nervous but this is a dude who I look up to so much.

(Pastor Judah! - middle picture is his response to me sharing I do YL in Nazareth => #WHAT?!)

Sooo….over the next 5-6 months I need your help.

- Pray for my VISA, that it gets accepted by the Israeli Ministry of Interior

- Pray/Think about supporting me financially. Those kids you heard from in the video...I love them so much and want to keep making impacts in their lives. I can only do this with your help.

 $10, $25, $50 dollars a month or $100, $150, $200 one time gifts go a long way!

- If you want to hear more stories let me know…Or even a visit! I’m thinking of traveling around the states to do some personal visits and I’d love to add you to the route.

Thank you so much for all your support, prayers, encouragement, and well wishes.

Cheers, Zack

A month in the States - Project Bring Zack Back

It’s been just over a month since I returned to Ashburn, Virginia after living in Nazareth and so far the weirdest thing was...walking back into Costco. Honestly, it blew my mind when I walked around the warehouse that has everything…literally everything. I had just become accustomed to visiting more specialized shops. One for bread, one for fruits & veggies, another for meat. There is a grocery store near my house, however it is about the size of a restaurant and mostly contains the basics for the kitchen and home. So if you were to ask me what it’s like to be back in America after living in Israel…there’s one of my answers.

In other news, summer was full of activity as I was involved in 9 camps doing various duties (leader, program team, dish cleaner, referee, etc). Since September began, it has been nice to have some time to relax here at home with mom and dad. I actually returned on Mom’s birthday but told her it would be a day later in order to surprise her. Coordinating with my aunt who lives close by, mom opened the door and let out a worthy yell “AAAHHHH!!” 7 out of 10 on the volume scale, 8 out of 10 on the high pitch scale. hahaha!  11 out of 10 on the happy momma scale!

I’m so thankful to have parents who support me with what I’m doing in Nazareth, even though it’s hard for each of us to live on opposite sides of the world. Already, the time with them has been great and I look forward to the next few months ahead with them.

The next few months…that’s right I said it. 

The current plan that I’m taking active steps towards is to Return to Nazareth by March. 

HOW? 

First, my VISA expired so I am applying for a new one. Something you can pray for is that It is accepted by the Israeli Gov’t.
Second, I am fundraising. The goal is $65,000 total to pay for my next two years of living in Nazareth. I will officially go on Young Life international staff this coming January and with that comes more money to raise.

God has taken care of me so far in this area, and I’m trusting Him to continue to provide. This provision has come with some amazing people supporting me financially. I only get to encourage and develop leaders through Young Life with the support of others. You can help me out too!!

Project: Bring Zack Back comes from the students back in Nazareth. A few of them helped me by responding to some questions and putting them on video (you can watch it here).

If you want to be part of project: Bring Zack Back

- CLICK HERE - Giving Link

- Click the blue [Area Number] button

- Type – X469 – in the space and click SEARCH

- It should say Nazareth-Miller

- Scroll down and enter in the amount to give. You can set up giving to happen each month, 1 time every 3 months, or just a 1 time gift.

Finally, this past week I ventured south to Atlanta, Georgia. I visited my sister Emily who is teaching there. Also, my own young life leader, Pete Hardesty, invited me to join him down at the annual Catalyst Leadership Conference which was an awesome and encouraging event. Some amazing speakers shared wise words concerning the main theme of “uncommon fellowship”. One specific statement was about how “as a body of people believers, the church can look past the things we don’t have in common, and focus on the one thing we do have in common, JESUS.” Honestly, I took so many great notes and returned home energized and focused on work I need to do. 

Side Note: I got to meet Pastor Judah Smith from Seattle, WA. Over the past years I’ve watched his sermons and love how he shares the Word of God. Straight up I was so giddy when I got to say hello to him. I shared that I was a YL Leader in Nazareth and I’ve listened to his sermons for encouragement. He replies with “What?! Man that’s crazy…man you inspire me.” I laugh at myself being nervous but this is a dude who I look up to so much.

(Pastor Judah! - middle picture is his response to me sharing I do YL in Nazareth => #WHAT?!)

Sooo….over the next 5-6 months I need your help.

- Pray for my VISA, that it gets accepted by the Israeli Ministry of Interior

- Pray/Think about supporting me financially. Those kids you heard from in the video...I love them so much and want to keep making impacts in their lives. I can only do this with your help.

 $10, $25, $50 dollars a month or $100, $150, $200 one time gifts go a long way!

- If you want to hear more stories let me know…Or even a visit! I’m thinking of traveling around the states to do some personal visits and I’d love to add you to the route.

Thank you so much for all your support, prayers, encouragement, and well wishes.

Cheers, Zack

2 years later - The return home....for now.

When I was in high school people would write in my yearbook "Zack you're great...don't change." 

While I understand that it meant they appreciated who I was as a person at the time, something I do want to continue to do in my life is just that - CHANGE. To change and grow into an even better version of myself. 

I want to be someone who can learn a new language, meet new people and be impacted by them, assimilate into a new culture and discover its traditions and oddities while adding some them into my own character and finally, I want to be a person who relies on God even more than I used to. 

Over these past 2 years living in Nazareth...I've changed in all those ways. 

I've said from the start, "as I moved here I knew  I would be working with Young Life and living in Nazareth." Everything else was bonus. Everything else was a blessing. 

Me and Ibrahim at YL Camp. He is a rising 12th
grader I've gotten to disciple the past year.

Yesterday I went to have breakfast with Fayruz (a master mama cook from the church I attend) and she laughed as she asked me how many "moms" I had accumulated here in Nazareth. In all actually I can't count...but maybe 7? Mama's who have invited me into their homes, cooked me meals, done my laundry, and then said "Zack you are part of the family". 

(at the church camp we did a Pokemon themed Hide and Seek - I was Pikachu)

(All of this conversation was in Arabic by the way - still fun to say). 

Last Sunday, I thought we were having a reunion club after camp. However, the other leaders and students surprised me with a bunch of pictures from the past 2 years and notes describing memories, kind words, and how I've impacted their lives. The past week has been filled with hugs and "I'll see you later's" to the amazing people who have become part of my daily life here in Nazareth. Then they say "you have to come back/you are family/you've made a positive impact in my life"......

.....You know how you want your life to mean something. That people love you or will remember you. I've done my best to give my life away to others through service, encouragement, and quality time hoping that my life will mean something and over the past week God has given me some confirmation that I'm doing it well. 

In all humbleness I know it's because I've done my best to be like Jesus (failing often). But, it's the attributes of Jesus that when shown through people, they become attractive and influential. The attributes are what impacts people...not me directly. 

Some of the amazing rising 12th grade girls and leaders took me out
to lunch before I left (:

As I look out over Nazareth right now, I am thinking about all the different directions and steps that have been taken to get me to this point. Both before I ever came and since my time here. 

And this is what I say about it - "God is good, there is hope in Jesus, healthy relationships with other people filled with love, patience, and honesty are the best thing in this world. I am here now because I've chosen to step out into new things even when I'm scared and don't know what will happen (usually it's good things). 

Guess we'll see what comes next (:

Don't be fooled by the cute smile...
he kept talking and I had to keep
my hands on him to keep him still
for 2 minutes.

Thank you for being involved in these past 2 years of my life through prayer, support and love. I would enjoy sharing more stories if you'd like to hear. 

Blessings from me to you, 

Zack

Zacky, Zack Zook, Zackee Chan, Zeeko, Abu Zooz, 

By the way - YL Camp was good. There were good moments and tough moments. After YL camp I served as a leader and in the kitchen for 3 consecutive weeks with the Local Baptist Church and their summer camps for kids from 10th grade - 5th grade. It was absolutely exauhsting but after a total of 9 camps this summer!...It's fun to look back on the memories!

SUMMER OF CAMPS!

It has been 2 very full months of summer camps, and the best one is about to start! Well maybe not the best...but it's the one closest to my heart and the one I'm most excited for. YL Nazareth and Ibilleen camp begins July 20 until 23rd and after a full year of contact work, clubs, and bible studies...the amazing week of Camp has arrived.


Here's a fun intro video to camp we made for this week...

Now, while I lead in Nazareth..us in the holy land are all a collective team. So the last few months I've been helping out at other camps. In Zababdee, Palestine there were camps for Zababdee middle school kids, high school kids and just recently we finished the very first family camp for families from Zababdee. Also, our special needs (Capernaum) ministry in Bethlehem had a camp as well as a YL camp for Bethlehem students from 2 different schools.

At the camp for middle school kids from Zababdee I was asked to be the camp speaker. This was my first time doing this role at YL camp. Over the course of 4 club talks I got to share the gospel starting with creation, then God coming to earth as Jesus, the problem of sin in our life, the redemptive act of Jesus at the cross, and then His resurrection. It was awesome to share this truth that has changed my life with younger teens from Palestine. I have a new respect for camp speakers all over the world who prepare and share this wisdom along with their life. I continue to learn each time I go through it all. Also, kind of a cool moment - as I spoke, about 50% of my words were in Arabic (which was a previous goal of mine!).   

Speaking at wYLd Life Camp (YL for middle schoolers)

If you can be praying for our time at camp coming up.
- Energy for the leaders
- Kids to be open to hearing about Jesus
- The program team doing skits to make kids laugh
- The speaker from Sacremento, California (Trevor Ganz) and his messages
- That music and songs will be enjoyed
- And that all of what we do at camp reflects who Jesus was, how he loves, and what that means for us.

THANKS!!

Zack

2 years later..."Why are you here?"

Pictures and Video from the Journey Trip (:
 

July 4^th will be two years of living in Nazareth. Here’s the funny thing. High school students, still ask me “Zack, what do you do for work?” or “Why are you here?” These questions have come from students I don’t know as well. I mean, they see me at school often and we’ve swapped hellos, but they aren’t the ones who I've spent more time with or come to Young Life. Albeit, it’s great to have these conversations because it is proof to myself that I’m entering into more circles and getting to know new students. Inshallah (God willing) the students who do come to Young Life stuff have no need to ask these questions because they know why I’m here haha.

These new students are usually guys. Without a car I do a lot of walking around Nazareth and I often pass by groups of boys hanging out. They give me a wave paired with “shoo Zackyy” (What’s up Zack). Before, I would wave back and continue on my way, but recently I’ve decided to stop for a little and just talk with them.

Side Note: I watched a talk given by Bob Goff (who wrote Love Does) about generosity and the biggest point I took away was I can be more generous with my time. I don’t have much money, my cooking skills are the greatest but something I can give is my time. Where I'm headed can wait and you never know what could happen if you linger ;)

Anyways, as I have had more conversations with guys, it is interesting to me what continues to come up. I’ve decided to be straight with my answers as to why I’m here and what I do for work, and it all centers on Jesus.

- I believe everyone in the world deserves to hear what Jesus did for them. If they choose to believe it or not I respect that is up to them. 

- I work for an organization where He is the main focus of why I do what I do.

So conversation topics are steered to that next level quickly. With the guys between 16-18 years old, almost always they ask me questions about sex. What is right? What is wrong? How does it relate to sin? Why does it matter being out of marriage and doing it? This is what is on the mind of high school boys around the world. Especially the ones who are just going about life as they want and don’t really have anything or anyone holding them to a higher standard. I was one of these boys.

You know how tough it is to try to explain this out? Even more so in a different language and culture. I know that for the most part anything I say will not change their mindset. But, the best response I’ve chosen to use is to compare sex with fire. There is a special place in the home to make a fire (fireplace), right? It’s set up and built specifically for this purpose. You don’t put a fire on the ground in the middle of the family room. That would be crazy and cause a lot of problems. Same way there is a special place created for sex, within marriage. You can still choose to build the fire in the family room, maybe try to make it safer....but still it was not meant for that...Get it?? I hope that it sticks in their brain and usually their facial expression shows that they understand what I’m trying to say. I’m doing the best I know how to while still being a sinful human who has my own temptations within this topic of life.

(P.S. if you have any thoughts, in favor or against what I share, feel free to comment.)

I share this just to give a more specific example of what I do. I’m trying to be an extension of Jesus and encourage kids in looking to him as the focus of their life. I’m trying to walk the walk and honestly it is tough for me in some areas. For 2 years I’ve been sharing what I believe concerning how the choice we make about Jesus is a life changing decision. And sometimes I wonder if I can follow through on what I tell them in my own life. My prayer is I recognize my own weakness and it makes me go to God even more.

YL Capernaum (special needs) Camp - Campers were from Bethlehem and come from Muslim backgrounds.

Yes life in Nazareth still consists of playing football once a week with guys, some volunteering at the Nazareth village, and doing Young Life Club/Bible Study. All of these things give me joy in my day to day. Furthermore, Young Life summer camps have already begun. There will be around 8 or 9 camps and almost 1,000 kids reached in the Holy Land over the next few months (praise God). I am actually the camp speaker for a middle school camp at the end of June. You can pray for me and my preparation…it’s my first time being a camp speaker!

As I spoke about generosity I thank you for yours. Your prayers and support financially have given me these opportunities for growth in my own life and in turn trying to help others grow as well.

Blessings, Zack

 

 

Answered Prayer!!

The title is self explanatory (:

Over the past 2-3 months the biggest thought/thing/prayer I've had on my mind is my VISA. It was set to expire on April 30th.
The prayer I've said over and over again was "God, surprise me." I chose this because it is not an easy or a normal thing to get and extension beyond what the rules say (for a volunteer VISA, the limit is 24 months). But, God's bigger than a VISA.
Even after receiving an initial 'No' from the powers that be, I didn't want to give up. For sure I spent a few hours in self-pity after the 'No'...but I realized remaining in that mindset wouldn't help at all.
My family (specifically Mom) and life experience has taught me to do everything possible that I can and then trust God with the rest. So my boss and I set up a meeting with someone who could potentially help us and he was able to do just that! I received an extension of 4 months which puts me here until August 31st. This means I get to be here for the multitude of summer camps!! There will be at least 5 different weeks of camps (:
Of course this was not done alone. A few really helped make this happen and I received a huge favor from the director of the school, Botrous Mansour.
I now get to "raise an Ebenezer" (fancy bible lingo for 'Put A Reminder') here in this moment because prayers were answered. And not just mine...THANK YOU TO YOU! For praying for me and keeping my life/needs/hopes apart of your life.

Now, I could stop there and it would be a pretty great post right?!
But I won't ;) haha because the past month has been amazingly amazing (as a friend of mine here would say).

- Ravi Zacharias -

First, Ravi Zacharias - one of the most known apologists (person who defends the gospel) in the world came to Nazareth...actually to the exact school I lead at! He was great as he always is and gave a talk full of insight into who Jesus is and how real God is in our lives.

- Ice Skating at Merkaz Canada -

Second, I went on two different trips with students from the school. One week I joined the 11th grade to the north. It's beautiful in the north with lots of green trees and mountains. Randomly, there is also a place called the Canada Center and it has an ice skating rink. I can ice-skate decently, but what I enjoyed was seeing and helping kids who had never skated before try. For some it was like going back to their first steps of walking haha.
The other trip was with the 10th grade and we ventured to the south. It is beautiful in a different way. Expansive deserts, camels and donkeys wandering around and the Dead Sea. We did an off-road jeep ride in some desert hills then went floating in the Dead Sea. Of course I did some spa treatment on my skin with the "black sand".
 
Each of these trips were overnight and something I've learned is the students do not sleep when they get together out of school. Maybe they will get an hour or two. It's funny to see the difference between the energy they have the first day versus the second day where they resemble the walking dead.


- The Dead Sea -

I was thankful to join the kind, considerate and awesome teachers along for the trips and was provided with many opportunities to get to know kids more (essential to good YL work). Learning names, observing personalities, and entering into some good conversations were all highlights.
It has been a past month of some emotional and physical ups and downs but my spirit has remained strong throughout. I believe just as much as our mind and body need workouts to remain strong, our spirit ought to go through the same as well.

- Myself and Nizar (11th grade) -

Thank You for all your support (: Cheers to 4 more months in The Holy Land doing Young Life!

- Zack

Growing Like Crazy!

Good Sunday to you - Family, Friends and others who found their way here (:

Hope you are enjoying your day and the coming of Spring. I've decided it is my favorite season here in the Holy Land as all the colors show up after the rainy winter. Most of the year the land is all brown so these few months are great.

First thing - The VISA situation. Hunter (my boss), local friends and I are doing everything possible and exploring every option to find a way that I can extend my stay here. As of now, my VISA will be good until mid/late June but we're looking for options to go beyond that. You're prayers are  appreciated very much. I am trusting God with whatever happens, I mean that's how this whole thing started anyway and it is the title of my blog - An Expedition of Trust. There's been no reason to turn my focus in another direction with all the good things that have come already so I do not intend to.

In other news, lots of great Young Life stuff going on. As I mentioned before, we are seeing success with our ministry here after the early years of work have solidified good roots. My mom reminded me of a cool analogy that can relate to life.
When you plant Bamboo, it doesn't grow very much at the start. Not just for a couple months but for 1-2 years. You keep going back and watering/maintaining it but there isn't much of a visual result. Then suddenly after about 2 years, it grows at a crazy rate "exponentially" sometimes feet in short periods of time. It reminds me of what we are seeing here...thanks madre!

I have shared before about helping lead a new YL ministry in a village called Ibiliin. Wednesday Night I gave a 'Creation' focused message. It included this great video from Louie Giglio, a notable pastor from Atlanta, Georgia. He shared some amazing sounds of recordings from NASA telescopes listening to stars and the songs of whales, then put them together to form almost a galactic worship song. Also, there is this picture that shows similarities in the design of our universe, from the brain cell to the universe, a cell being born to the death of a star, and the iris of an eye to a nebula in space.

(there's a longer version where he shows the stars that were recorded)

 

After I finished, I received a great response from not only the kids, but the adult leaders as well. However, there was one response I don't think I'll forget for a long time. I walk by a 10th grade boy who actually has a muslim background and gave him the classic dap/hug embrace. I smile, he returns one and then says "You know Zack, I don't believe in God." My response - "It's okay man, I still love that you're here."

(Mt. Hermon in the background to the left - likely
where the transfiguration  of Jesus happened - Matthew 17 )

THAT RIGHT THERE, that is what I love about Young Life. The missional value of entering into adolescent kids lives, building relationships and no matter what they believe or don't believe, a Young Life leader is still there, invested in who they are as a person. I have experienced this on both sides and it is one of the purest forms of love. The coolest part is, He Still Comes! Here is a kid with a background of a different faith, nobody is forcing him to come to club, and he knows there will always be an ending message from the bible...and he still chooses to join.
I hope this story impacts you in a good way. My other thought was - why did he feel the need to tell me? I believe it is because something is going on inside him...he's thinking about what it would mean for God to be in his life.

Lastly, today was a great day. Hunter, his wife Laurie, their daughter Haley and I joined in with the YL Ibiliin leaders on a trip they planned for the kids to the north of Israel. Some hiking, a picnic lunch and "Golf Cart trail riding". The greatest part was none of us Americans were part of the planning, we just joined for support and fun. This was all done by 2 volunteer adult leaders from this Village (Renay and Bshara) who are giving their extra time to serve with YL and our newest staff member (Wael and his wife Lena). God is so Good and the 'bamboo is starting to grow really fast' (:

Some of the Galilee Region Young Life Team
(Me, Laurie, Lena, Renay, Wael, Hunter, Bshara)

Some people have fish...others Love, hahaha

From me to you,

may you live in love and

recognize the blessings

you already have in life.

- Be A Light - 

 

Zack