The Tightest Community

I think that this is something that everyone should have, but I know for a fact that not everyone does. I believe that I am really blessed to live where I do, and be with the guys and girls that I'm with. Why? You ask? Well, it's as simple as this.

I believe and have been told that others believe that Roanoke has probably the tightest community of believers. We have so many people around us that we can be real with, that we can tell anthing to, and that we trust. One thing I never thought about though, was the fact that all of us have the exact same vision for our friends. We not only have those of us who are constantly building everyone up, and those who really can understand things quickly, but we have the same view on the kids in the Roanoke area.

This vision helps us all. Because we all have the same vision, we can not only tell everyone how things are going when we talk about the kids that we are reaching out to, or tell them when things aren't going well, but we can let each other know when we notice when something's down. I never noticed it, but I can think of one example of how one leader not only did a small thing that will help out the club overall in a big way, but it will no doubt affect my leading towards people.

My friend noticed at Wyld Life one night that this kid was all alone. Those who know what Wyld Life is about should know that no kid should ever be alone. We don't think this is acceptable. The other thing she noticed was that he had an uncomfortable look on his face. Again, this is not good, we want everyone at club to feel welcomed, and knowing that she came to me (Though I'm sure she would have gone to any other leader who was there if she saw them first), and told me that a kid was standing alone, and looking uncomfortable. She then asked me if I could go love on this kid. Because we have the same vision for our kids, this wasn't a hard thing to think about.

I don't want that story to build up me or my friend, but it is to build up the Lord, for putting that vision in both of our hearts, but also because that vision is in all the leader's hearts. Because without the Lord looking out for us, we would not be able to love these kids with that vision of showing them Christ. I love the fact that the many, many leaders we have share that vision. One of my Young Life leaders talks a lot about how kids will "catch the vision". I believe that the reason that some kids will "Catch the vision" is because through Young Life, we share that vision with our friends who go and hang out with us there. It's not a secret, and I'm sure that the Lord is putting that vision in every Young Life ministry area in the world.

I just wanted to say thanks to my Roanoke family for being so tight, and for showing me, once again, that we are a tighter community than I seem to believe.