Saturday, December 24, 2011

Merry Christmas!

This Christmas I'm reminded of just what JOY and LIFE we have because God stepped down from Heaven, humbled Himself in ways we will never fully understand, put on flesh and walked this earth to show what great, awesome lengths He would go to to reach us with His love!

A few weeks ago I had the privilege of helping out with the Vidas Jovenes' (Young Lives, an outreach to pregnant and parenting teen moms) Christmas party!  I love that Christmas parties in Costa Rica are called "fiestas de alegria" = parties of happiness!  What happiness this season brings!  Below are some pictures from that event.  These are all teenage moms with 1 or more kids (or one on the way) and most are living in poverty.  They are not much unlike Mary that very first Christmas--underprepared, overwhelmed, scared, often feeling very alone, and worried about the future for them and their babies.  The Young Lives' staff, volunteers, and older women mentors come alongside to walk with these young women offering practical help and other-worldly hope!

May you and yours experience the HOPE and JOY of Christmas this year.  May it overwhelm your hearts and fill you to overflowing.  May you rest tonite in the wonderful news that we don't have a God who is far away, but one called Immanuel (God came near) who longs to know us and be known.

P.S.  For a copy of my Christmas newsletter, email me at ali.c.campbell@gmail.com!


These two twin girls stole my heart right from the start.  They and their mom were there early and I was immediately taken in by them.  Aren't they precious!  People from all over have donated pack 'n' plays for the littlest ones to rest in during clubs.


A clown came to paint all the kids faces!  She was a huge hit!


This is me and Genesis after she got her face painted--
she's such a ham and loved getting her picture taken!


This is Samara and Jonathan, two of the four Suwyn kids.  The Suwyns (Kevin and Michelle and their four kids) have lived in Costa Rica for almost 12 years.  Kevin is the Regional Director for Central America and Michelle started Vidas Jovenes a little over a year ago.  All four of their children were born in Costa Rica!  Samara was very sick and they spent a year at Los Angeles Children's Hospital with her when she was a baby--but miraculously she is doing great now and such a joy to be around.  

Jonathan came around as a surprise and right when Michelle wanted to start Vidas Jovenes--with her social work background and heart for teen moms--it had been a dream of hers for a long time.  While obviously excited about the new addition to the family, Michelle was a bit discouraged thinking this would just prolong the launch of this ministry.  However, Jonathan has turned out to be one of the ministry's greatest assets as he steals the heart of each girl he meets with his bright blonde hair and blue eyes, and Michelle can share "in real time" the struggles and joys of motherhood alongside the girls.  Reminding me once again that God's timing is always perfect, and almost always not our own!




Thursday, December 1, 2011

Wyldlife Camp Wrap Up and Christmas Plans!

Wow!  I can't believe it's been 2 months again since I've posted!  Please forgive me--those of you who follow my blog :)

I just got back from Wyldlife Camp a little over a week ago and it was AWESOME as it always is!  Wyldlife Camp is when we get to take our 6-8th grade friends to an all-star camp for a weekend of fun, adventure, and learning more about what a life of faith looks like.  The kids are always SUPER excited for it and this year was no different.

If you would like to read my latest newsletter including highlights from camp, please send me an email and I'll send it over:  ali.c.campbell@gmail.com.

Below are some overviews from surveys that kids fill out after camp and some photo highlights as well!  But I also want to mention first that I will be back in Indiana for Christmas Wednesday, December 21st-Tuesday, January 3rd and would love to see you and catch up on life!  If you will be around the Indy area, please let me know!

Highlights from kids' feedback on camp:

  • 20 kids wrote that they began a relationship with God through Wyldlife either this weekend or previously.
  • The most frequent thing kids mentioned for the most meaningful part of camp was:  Cabin time and Club talks.

Some quotes from kids:

"He didn't make any mistakes when He made us."
"No matter what happens to us we still have value."

"A life with Him is a better life."
"He wants us to have an exciting life."



Above:  Prisinnia after a balloon full of shaving cream popped over her head!  In Wyldlife we use humor to invite kids into a very fun and adventurous life with God!


Above:  Kids and leaders sing Waves of Mercy during Club
 "Your love has captured me, oh my God, this love...how can it be?" 


Above:  Erin tries to protect herself while Ollala pushes her on a cart playing Plunger Hockey!  
I was so privileged to have these two awesome girls in my cabin this year.  
Erin met Jesus through Wyldlife and while Ollala is still considering her faith.


Above:  Middle school teacher, Will, hangs out with three of our most energetic guys--Harry, Andrew and Max.  These boys commented at the end of camp that they learned how much God loves us and that He doesn't want us to have a boring life!


Above:  Me with my awesome friends Kaitlyn and Andrea.  Andrea just moved here from Argentina a few months ago and doesn't speak English.  While clubs were all in English, hangout time and cabin times (where we get a chance to sit down and discuss with the girls what they heard in the club talk) were in Spanglish for Andrea's sake.  I love that my hard work (and God's grace!) in learning Spanish has paid off so I feel 100% confident developing a friendship with Andrea and sharing God's love with her in Spanish :)


Above:  Larissa, me and Daniela.  These two girls were in my cabin last year and while we were in different cabins this year, I loved hanging out with them during meal times and free time.  These two girls have a special place in my heart.  Both girls said that Wyldlife has had a huge impact on their relationship with God!


Above:  One of the coolest parts of Wyldlife here is that we get to train high school friends to be leaders for middle schoolers.  Here's a picture with Laura (center) with girls from her cabin.  This girl loves sharing with kids younger than her about her faith and what it means to be a teenager who makes great choices!


Above:  Another awesome leader (left) is Laramie.  Laramie is one of our younger leaders but he totally "gets it".  He's always looking out for the kid who doesn't quite "fit in" or feels left out, and is quick to make friends and include them!  He truly is Christ's hands and feet to his middle school friends!


Above:  Dania and Moni took a weekend away from their friends and activities to be on our Work Crew.  Work Crew are kids who volunteer at camp to help out behind the scenes--they work really hard but learn the value of humble serving so that others can experience an amazing weekend!


And finally here's the whole team--adult leaders, student leaders, and our camp speaker, David Morgan, who flew in from Texas just for the weekend to use his amazing gift of communicating the GREAT news that kids are loved unconditionally with us.  

THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT AND PRAYERS THAT MADE THIS WEEKEND POSSIBLE FOR 65 KIDS AND LEADERS!!!