While in Kazakhstan, we worked with a youth ministry and it was so amazing. We spent the first couple of days on a camping trip with the youth – it was a great way to get to know them. We learned that the host group conducts outreaches for those who have not heard about God. Some of the youth on the camping trip knew God, but most did not.
At night as we sat around the campfire, we shared why we had decided to join the World Race and a little bit about our testimony. We explained about our trip and why we chose to follow God. My teammates did a great job of bringing the Gospel into their story. As we shared, some of the youth asked some really good questions and we were able to elaborate on the love of God.
For me, the best part was as we shared our testimonies; it allowed space for the youth who were Christians to share their stories with their friends. They highlighted why they chose to follow God and are still chasing after Him.
It ended with one youth stating, “It sounded like you all got to this point where something big happened and you started believing in God. Maybe that has not happen to me, I wait for it to happen in my life so I will start believing.” I prayed in that moment it would happen sooner rather than later. It was an amazing start to get to know the youth.
A big part of our ministry was teaching English to the youth every night Monday-Friday. This kind of ministry I had been waiting to do for most of the race. While preparing my lessons it reminded of my job teaching an after school program and how much I loved that job. And how much it prepared me for this moment right now. I love seeing how everything I did in the States has been preparing me for what the Lord has been calling me to do.
I really enjoyed getting to hang out with the youth and getting to know them while helping them with their English. They are a very special group of youth and I am glad I got to spend the last two weeks with them. We tried to talk about God whenever we could during the lesson and to be a light for them. I will miss the youth, they are such a special group!!
