Seeing the world differently
- October
Kingdom Teams participate with the Migrant Education Program of Lancaster
PHOTO BY KINGDOM TEAM SUMMER STAFF
K-Teams Local provided more than 80 youth and leaders with opportunities to develop a deeper understanding of what it means to be a missionary in their current contexts, see the different cultures that surround them in their local area, and use their gifts to be a blessing to others. I daily had the joy of challenging these youth to step outside of their comfort zones and was amazed to see their response, not only of treading the line, but of jumping into the middle of discomfort. Every week, our first night was filled with a prayer walk around the city and some ice cream to finish it off. During our first week, the youth returned from this walk with a conviction to simply do something. For the remainder of this trip, a different small group left each night, with sandwiches in hand, to sit, eat and pray with homeless individuals around the city. In doing so, they so clearly demonstrated Jesus’ love for the castoff. In reflection with them, they claimed this time to recognize the humanity of every person. This powerful beginning of the summer was in no way lessened as the summer continued. In July, we began work with the Migrant Education Program of Lancaster. This space was a challenging one for many, but from the beginning of each week to the end, intentionality and initiative began to grow. I saw them using their gifts of sports, fishing, gardening, reading, and music to find common ground with the migrant children and segueing into conversations where they shared laughter, stories, and sometimes, even testimonies. One youth took the initiative to act as a buddy for a student who spoke very little English and was able to build a strong connection with her across their language barrier. Later, she expressed that she now has a growing passion to study different cultures and that she believes that she wants to go into youth ministry when she graduates. Through these examples and many others, God showed his faithfulness and power in many unexpected and other untold ways as he worked in the hearts of these youth.
Becca Sauder, 2024 Kingdom Teams Director
We noticed all our youth learning things about themselves and other cultures. They all learned that youth in the Czech Republic are like them in many ways, even though the culture is different. They learned things about themselves they didn’t expect. The English camp experience changed some to be aware of gifts and interests they had that can be used in ways here at home that they never considered before.
Jim & Carol Herr, Mountville Mennonite Church
I saw the Global K-Team being courageous to try new things: food, different styles of games, slightly different ways of doing things. Although it was challenging and interacting with others without knowing how well it would go in English was out of their comfort zone, they were happily surprised that they could make friends more quickly than they expected. As the team jumped in and participated alongside the Czech kids, connections were made. At the end of the first week of camp, I was pleasantly surprised to hear from the Czech students how much they appreciated having the American teenagers at camp. Again and again students commented that they could talk to the American teenagers because they were the same age and could relate, whereas they might not talk to an adult. Even some of the students who seemed to keep to their small group of friends interacted with one of the K-Team members, which was huge. One Czech boy mentioned how he came to practice English but came away with friends and a better understanding of God and himself. These are the kinds of connections we hope will happen at camp, and that the students will experience God’s love through our actions and our words. One way we saw God’s presence was when we were tired and didn’t feel like we had energy to give more. I experienced it on a couple evenings when there was another activity and I wasn’t sure I had it in me to be present with others. Several of the K-Team members also felt similarly. And yet when we entered in, God gave us the energy and endurance to be involved and present. Those are moments when it’s obvious that God’s grace is perfect in weakness and that he provides what we need.
Jan Heindel, EMM worker in the Czech Republic
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