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!