JMU YL Visits and YL Palestine Camp

Hello Friends and Happy Summer,

The past 2 weeks were busy, fun, and full of activities! First, after a long 8ish months of waiting, finally the James Madison University (my alma mater) Young Life came for their tour of the Holy Land. Then, the time finished with serving as work crew/program at Young Life Palestine camp!

(JMU Friends with YL Naz kids at the Lambeth's home)

 

This was one of the unlikely times where you are really excited for something and build it up in your mind...and then it actually exceeds expectations. It was awesome to spend time and instantly become friends with good people from home. Even more so, my fellow JMU DUKES!

I joined for most of their touring time around the country and my heart, body, and spirit were filled again with Jesus. It was my 3rd in-depth tour around the country (spoiled, I know) and I'm continually amazed at how deep the well goes. There is so much to learn. The history and context of the bible continues to have more and more layers, spiritually I was strengthened at a great time of the year and for my ministry here, and the community we developed was something that cannot be beaten.
When a group of people commit to opening up their heart to God on such a deep level, it is impossible to not connect and become a family.

(YL Palestine Camp Picture)

 

Then, after touring we all headed to Bet Sahour (just outside of Bethlehem) for YL Palestine camp. Around 115 kids from the West Bank towns of Zababdee, Tubas, and Ramalla all came to have one of the greatest weeks of their lives and hear about who Jesus is and what he did for them.
Now YL camp is one of the best things in the entire ministry and I witnessed that wherever you go in this world, much of the ministry elements remain the same. For example, we had club with the kids (singing songs, skits, games, and a message), cabin time (going deeper talking about the scripture, and how we feel about it connecting with our own life), fun activities, program/skits and more.
Yet being international YL in a different, it came with it's own flair.

(1 Thes. 2:8 "Because we loved you so much, we were delighted not only to

share the Gospel of God with you but our very lives as well.")

At the end of the week, kids lives were changed and I am just thankful I was there to witness it all (:
- A short post with pictures today...but I plan to write tomorrow as well because it is a special day for me.

Much Love, Zack

(Young Life Shenanigans - Flour bombs, and water balloons)