Today we welcomed over 150 Tanzanian teenagers to Young Life camp in Arusha. After spending much time at camp over the years, I found that the process of preparing camp on Day 1 was not very different from American camps. Young Life is Young Life, wherever you are. Still, welcoming the Tanzanians had some exciting African twists. For example, the whole work crew hid behind bushes with tree branches as the bus drove up with a Tanzanian wedding band and the program team leading – only to jump out from hiding screaming and waving our branches. It was awesome. I am so amazed by the joyful spirits of the staff running camp here. They have so much to teach us. The love of Christ was clearly flowing through the crazy dance moves and welcome cheers as the campers tunneled out of the bus. Though this quality is not unique to Africa, I have seen over the past few days a freedom that is harder to find in America. A freedom to love and to make a fool of yourself without feeling self-conscious. It’s been a picture of something I’ve been trying to fathom this year – inexhaustible love. God’s love is limitless, and I am so baffled by the way the people here give that love so freely. From the first day we met the staff running camp – James, Alexis, Martin, and Richard – we were loved. And it has been awesome to fill this place with campers and watch the leaders love. Let’s pray that we all allow God’s love to overflow out of us!
Grace
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