This past weekend I was given what turned out to be the incredible opportunity of attending the AlgoNuevo-YoungLife Director's retreat in Lima. I wasn't sure what to expect or what, exactly, my role was in participating in this "out of my league" event. I'm a simple volunteer, a committee member, but nothing more. To be invited to participate in the inner workings of Staff was something of a surprise to me. The results of the weekend turned out to be equally surprising.

I met some wonderful people over the weekend, people who are truly dedicated to the vision and mission of YL. I also learned that the many directors, leaders, and committee members in Lima face the same challenges as we in Arequipa do, and therefore, we are not alone.

In addition to realizing we, in Arequipa, are part of a bigger team, I also realized that my leader, Jorge, may have the biggest and best vision of all. YoungLife has been in Lima for close to 40 years. YoungLife has been in Arequipa for just one year. We currently have two clubs in Arequipa and our membership/contacts easily number twice that of any club/area in Lima.

After reviewing the current and projected numbers of the various Lima clubs (4-5) it was clear that, thanks to Jorge's hard work and dedication, our clubs have seen more success in one year than any club in Lima has in many years. Not to discredit Lima, as they have been through their share of trial and turmoil in the past several years, I did feel proud to be part of such a successful ministry.

(Photo: Left to right- Edson Gomez; Chiki)

An additional and equally important blessing came in my meeting some very special people. Edson Gomez, leader of Capernaum Peru, is nothing less than an amazing person. Afflicted with Polio himself, he bravely, and quite successfully, leads Capernaum ministries in two different schools in Lima. Edson, so far as I can tell, is the epitome of Capernaum and YoungLife. Physically handicapped, he has not just adjusted and overcome, but has conquered his ailment by means of both mental and physical attitude. Oh, what a joy it was to meet, get to know, and spend time with Edson. By his side, and a Capernaum

leader himself, is Carlos- who just happens to be the brother of Jorge- a wonderful young man whose humility I believe is unrivaled.

When I began my work with AlgoNuevo-YoungLife Peru I was uncertain as to the manner of operations in comparison to those in the states. After a year of volunteering with them I couldn't be happier with our success, and after the Director's Retreat last weekend I can see clearly the importance of our mission. Jorge continues charge the field with full force. He has started two clubs in one year (both held on the same day, no less!!) and he continues to look for new opportunities and new clubs.

On a personal note- Sandra gave birth to their first child- a son- this past Saturday by way of C-section. Only 7 1/2 months of full term, their baby is home and healthy after only a short time in the incubator. Congratulations to Jorge & Sandra. Please continue to pray for them as they will now need even more support- financial, physical, emotional, and spiritual.

As one final blessing I was able to spend a couple of hours with Christian, a young man and former YL volunteer from Lima, who came to Arequipa for a few months this past summer to help out with our club. Living in a foreign country it's always a great feeling to know I have friends in other cities, people who are interested in keeping up with me.

YoungLife AQP

Has it really been that long? ? ?

Seems "flojo" would be an appropriate way to describe me when it comes to keeping this blog up to date (that's Spanish for "lazy, by the way), but the truth (most of it) of it is I've just been really busy.

On the upside, while I've slacked off on the web YoungLife Arequipa has grown into a being all its own!! Every Friday we have between 20 & 30 kids in our home, plus a few parents from time to time. While our club started out as kids from our school the population is now about 50/50, with a few from our very own neighborhood even. The popularity of YL is evident in our school. Not a day goes by that kids don't mention it to me, talk about the skits, or tell their friends why they should be coming!! I couldn't be happier with the success we've realized- some people find the YL mentality a little weird (improper, etc. . .), but it seems God is on our side. . .and those of us who know YL know we're doing the right thing.

During the past 8 months we've seen YoungLife Arequipa become a possibility to a reality, a fixture in the lives of many kids and a source of interest and inspiration for us all. We don't know how God got us to this point, but here we are, and we're just getting started!!

Tomorrow Jorge (our leader), Christian and Victor (our two interns), and myself (and hopefully a few others) are headed to a new school in which we've been given the go-ahead to start working there. We'll be starting club next week, and tomorrow we'll be introducing ourselves and what we're all about. Here's the best part (and scariest, perhaps)- we'll be having club at the school during an hour when all sophomores and juniors are free. What this means is that starting next week our first club will host 150 kids!! Yeah, and I thought our hands were full with the 30 we already have.

Pray for us, as this exciting opportunity will also include plenty of new work.

We are also preparing for summer camp next February. We're getting ready to design t-shirts, bracelets, pins, hats, etc. to raise funds for our campers. In the next few weeks Jorge, Manolo (another committee member), and myself will be traveling to a few possible camp locations to do a little recon work. If any of you are interested in helping out in the fund-raising dept. please let me know. I can easiliy have shirts, bracelets, etc. made for individuals or groups in the U.S.

As this amazing ministry we call YoungLife Arequipa continues to grow I promise to make a greater effort in keeping you all up to date. In the meantime, enjoy the photos and keep in touch.

Young Life - 1 Month Old!!!

We've been at it for a month, now, and man, am I excited!! We've had a steady turnout, between 12 & 15 kids each week, with a few new ones every time. We worked hard to get our club started before summer break (I know, it's tough for you guys to remember that our summer break started just a few days ago...) and we've not got a nice group of kids that should remain consistent throughout the summer.



In only 4 short weeks we've seen kids dance, sing, pick their noses, and everyone's favorite, drink soda 'til they throw up!! Most of all, we've seen kids get together, open up, just be themselves. We've got the popular kids, the loners, the weird ones, all together having fun with one another...no judgments, just kids having fun!!

As we move into the summer we're focused on two things - keeping our attendance up, and even growing a little, and getting ready for Young Life Camp (Feb. 7-11, 2007). This year, as Arequipa has just opened up, clubs from Lima are going to be heading south to join us. If I'm excited about club every Tuesday, then I'm losing my mind thinking about the amazing time we (and the kids) are gonna have at camp this year!! While we haven't decided on a definite location just yet, I do know there will be sand, sun, and surf involved regardless of locale. And, if you think the kids get wild at Club you're not gonna recognize them at camp!!

Speaking of camp (watch out - he's about to ask for money) we are going to be attempting to raise funds for the upcoming adventure. Here's the basics - we'll be asking each attending kid to pay S./70 (that's 70 soles) which, in real money, equals $22. Let me say that again, in case you didn't catch it. The out of pocket expense per child to attend camp will be $22!! Seriously, $22 gets these kids a week at the beach, 3 meals a day, non-stop activities, new and strengthened friendships, positive influences from several adults (all of whom are more responsible than me, I assure you), and let's not forget, the influene of Christ all around them!! Now, I'm not asking, but I will say that if any of you have a $20 bill that can go farther than that in one week by all means, keep it. If your $20 doesn't go that far but you'd like it to, well then, we can make that happen!! But enough about that (for now, at least...).

Thank you all, for your prayers, for your support, for taking the time to read this. I appreciate each and every one of you more than you can imagine. By the way, all my pics from our clubs are posted here - http://www.flickr.com/gp/24853385@N00/8aWjxv - be sure to bookmark this page, as pics will be added continuously.

Take care and God Bless!!

Our First Club...

Well, we finally had our first Young Life Club this past Tuesday. After a few delays we brought it all together, invited about 30 kids, and had 13 show up, which is quite a nice turnout for the first meeting! Jorge and co. entertain us (and the kids) with a skit, a few games, and a short message, all followed by snacks, conversation, and a little basketball in the park.




Club started off slow, as only 4 kids showed up by 4:30, but several more trickled in during the next hour, and by the time it was all said and done we were running out of chairs!!




Tuesday was also Sharon's birthday, so we may sure to bring her out and have the kids sing to her!! It was an exciting day, as it all came together rather nicely. Already, I can't wait until next Tuesday so we can do it all over again!!


By the way, we are having Young Life camp in February of next year and are in need of some 'gringo' volunteers to take part in our "workcrew." Also, the majority of the cost of the camp for the kids will be covered through donations and fundraising, so if anyone's interested in helping out with either of these please let me know!! We would love to see a few of you come down in February to take part in what's sure to be a great time ministering to youth from Arequipa and Lima...

Thanks for your prayers and support. God Bless...

Getting started...

Jorge Rojas, the man with the plan, has recently moved to Arequipa with the sole purpose of bringing Young Life to the kids of our city!! Young Life has been in Lima for close to 40 years, but never before has it left the borders of the Peruvian capital. Now, for the first time Young Life is looking to expand througout this Andean nation, starting in Areuipa, Peru's second-largest city.

Wait a minute!! What is Young Life? For a detailed (and accurate) description and understanding, visit the official website at http://www.younglife.org/. In the meantime, let me explain it like this: Young Life (Algo Nuevo, for those of us south of the equator) is a non-denominational organization with the sole purpose of bringing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the youth of the world. They are not affiliated with any one church, group, or doctrine. Rather, Young Life is a Bible-based ministry concerned with teaching kids who Jesus is, and how it's possible to have a personal relationship with Him so they can pass it on to their peers, parents, siblings, and community.

Working as close to the public school system as the law will allow, Young Life in the U.S. focuses on kids who generally have no association with God, the church, or spirituality. Young Life leaders and volunteers are not pastors. Rather, they are friends to the kids who need them, role models for our youth to look up to, to turn to in time of crisis, need, or question.

Here in Peru we are not faced with the same legal concerns regarding school grounds and spiritual influence. However, our school system has many of it's own challenges. For example, there is no one public school system. Instead, the school system consists of several public and semi-private schools, and children (or their parents) have the choice of which they attend. Because the school system is not centralized a new challenge exists for Young Life in Peru. Jorge, our sole leader in Arequipa, thus relies on meeting individuals who have or can make contacts in the one of the local schools, such as Kayla and myself. As teachers we have the opportunity to reach out to kids every day, and now through Young Life we can further this outreach.

We are facing our own struggle in this mission, as even in our own school we are not welcomed warmly to put a new program into play. However, as I am confident God has His hand in this I have decided to work around the school, rather than with it, by simply inviting kids to join us in my home for Club, beginning sometime around the first of November. I hope you all will join me as we pursue this new and exciting venture. We will need plenty of support to get things going right, your prayers most of all, along with anything else you can offer. I look forward to sharing this journey with you all...