August 25th is our annual Youth Dynamics Golf Marathon. This is one of our major fund raising events for the YD ministry and staff. Typically we have golfers who are business men in the community. This year, the unexpected happened - I had a student ask if he could golf for Arlington YD. So I have a 15 year old student who is going to go and get pledges (the goal is $2500) and golf 100 holes. He’s enlisted me and his brother to help him - but this is no small task. But he believes so much in this ministry that he’s stepped up.

So here’s my request to you. Support these students in their efforts to do something amazing.

All donations are tax deductible. And remember you’re not just supporting a golfer or a ministry. You’re making sure the gospel is spread to teens in one of the most non-churched areas in the United States. The money Valeriy raises will go directly towards supporting the ministry here in Arlington. So, please consider sponsoring these two young men in their efforts.

Click here to support Valery and his brother Ruslan in his effort.

Here’s a testimony of some of the kids who have been impacted through the ministry here at Arlington YD.

In youth ministry, you find yourself investing in kids, but don’t usually see the the direct impact on their lives. We just work, love, invest, teach and walk alongside young people praying that the Lord will take hold of their lives.  But every once in a while, you get a glimpse into heart of a student. I got this note myspaced to me last night from one of our students. It was totally unexpected and it brought tears to my eyes.

If you knew this student, you’d realize that it’s totally out of character for them to be so honest, heartfelt, thankful and real. But I’ve also seen the Lord really begin to this student’s heart in the last few weeks (after what seemed like 3 years of a cold heart towards anything pertaining toward the Lord). Here’s what they wrote:

Lately, I have been going through some hard times. And some in a more direct way than others, have helped me. You guys make me laugh until i almost pee my pants. Sometimes make me want to stick a cork down the barrel of a paint ball gun and shoot you close range, but most importantly, make me feel accepted. In my family i am perceived as very different, and kind of an embarrassment. All of you make me feel like I can be myself and don’t have to worry about being judged or rejected. No matter what i say, no matter how dumb it comes out as, you make me feel like I’m important, that what i say matters. Even if you don’t know it, you all have helped me in your own way, and as a group. So i just wanted to say Thank You. You have no idea how much i appreciate it. So THANK YOU!!!!

So this is my encouragement (because the Lord encouraged me with this) to you youth workers out there. Keep investing. Keep spending time with kids. You may not see the direct impact today, but it’s not our job to see the result this side of heaven. It’s our job to minister, encourage, love, inspire and journey. So don’t give up. The work you are doing is much more impactful than you will ever realize.

Last Tuesday, we took some youth on a hike. We were expecting a pretty easy hike to some ice caves (natural formations left from snow melt). What we got was an expedition. It was a hot day till we got closer to where the ice caves were supposed to be. There had so much snow this winter there were at least 4 football fields filled with snow stacked up at the base of a mountain. It’s 85 degrees and we were playing in snow! It was a sight to see. I’ve never been sledding (sliding down on your butt) in July. If it’s hot where you are, enjoy these refreshing pictures.