Introduction

For many summers our children have had the privilege of attending sleep away camp at Camp Brookwoods/Camp Deer Run along the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire.

More recently, Emilio was blessed to participate in a Leadership Development Program (LDP) — a commitment of 8 weeks each summer for two summers.  This program designed for older teenagers places an emphasis on developing the whole person through physical challenges, a spiritual focus and service opportunities.

Colombia Leadership Program

Last fall, I began to wonder if we as the church couldn’t borrow from the LDP principles and create an international service opportunity that would be mostly created, developed and led by older teenagers.  In January, 2018, the Colombia Leadership Program was born.

Through word of mouth and referrals, I was able to recruit eight teenagers and two adults to commit to this program.  We met approximately every two weeks beginning in January up until our 12-day trip in late July.

Lively conversations were typical as we formed committees, agreed upon priorities, established our itinerary, discussed fundraising possibilities including an awesome Trivia Night, managed the logistics, created our own ESL curriculum, prepped for our outreach concert, prepared our twice-daily devotions, and prayed – for our preparations and for the kids we would meet, teach and serve.

We Must Be Flexible, Available and Teachable

Early on, one member, Chris Picard, shared his theory on FAT – the idea that cross cultural ministry requires us to be FAT!  Flexible, Available, Teachable.  The FAT theory proved true immediately upon our arrival as some of our afternoon ministry opportunities became unavailable and new ones had to be found.  In fact, most days flexibility was the theme of the day!

Ministry Time

It would be difficult to list out the highlights as every day held so many precious moments with our ESL teaching, encounters with professors and students on campus, and our afternoon ministry opportunities.  I however highly encourage you to read a few of our blogs especially our night serving the homeless, our surprise new outreach ministry to a girls orphanage, and our main ministry of teaching ESL.

I feel so very privileged to have been a part of these eight youth’s lives for eight months (Caroline, Chris, Emilio, Emma, Isaiah, Josiah, Natalie and Sanne).  I love their creativity, commitment, love for others, grit, FLEXIBILITY, servant’s heart, LOVE FOR JESUS, intelligence, independence and ZEST for life.

I am also so very thankful for the leadership, sacrifice and overall “coolness” of our other three leaders, Xindi, Jason and Gustavo.  We literally could not have done the trip without your efforts and prayers!

I am now a huge proponent of structuring youth missions trips using leadership development program principles.  It’s a win-win for everyone!

Rochelle