Jenn Brubacher - Youth For Christ
A SUMMER TO REMEMBER
At the beginning of June, we took a group of eight students on a caving and canoeing day trip, most of them from our drop-in crew. We slithered and crawled through the cold, damp caves, going through openings that made the hairs on our backs stand at full attention. We felt the temperature drop as we descended further and further into the abyss. In every sense of the word, it was awesome.
When we reached our turnaround point, our guide instructed us to turn off our headlamps.
Complete and utter darkness.
I heard the student beside me breathe a little faster, but it was the only indication that someone was beside me. I couldn’t help but be overwhelmed by a single thought:
There are too many young people who live here.
Complete and utter darkness is their reality.
As we re-emerged from the caves and paddled down the river, R and I talked about grief and losing his mom, food, smoking weed, girls, the future, coping, and how we both feel like things aren’t right in the world.
“Jenn, you know when we were in the caves and we sat in the dark? That’s what my life feels like most of the time.”
It’s funny because this theme of light and darkness has been with me for over a year now, and it’s why I write about it so often.
But this. This isn’t just an analogy or helpful imagery when words seem to fail.
This is real life.
This is R’s life.
And as we flowed down the river, we talked about the reality of God’s presence in the darkness, His plan to make all things new, both in the world and in us.
His words remain true:
“I have come as light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark…” (John 12:46).
Two things:
Thank you for making moments like these possible. The ripple effects are more than we can know and describe.
Please pray for the students we know, love and serve. The realities of the darkness they live in are all too apparent, and I often feel helpless. God isn’t asking us to fix it; He’s asking us to step into where He’s already working, carrying His presence and His light wherever we go.
May God, who is Light, Life, Beauty and Grace, do more than we can ask or imagine.
Thanks for being a part of this.
TOUR FOR TEENS
On June 14th, over 100 riders gathered in Wingham, ON to bike 25, 50 or 100km and raise funds for Youth Unlimited YFC. In total, we raised $91,500!
Our North Perth team alone raised over $17,700! This money will be used directly to support the work we do in North Perth.
We are grateful for your support!
MUSKOKA WOODS
We took 18 students from our junior high drop-in crew to Muskoka Woods for a week of camp, and the word that comes to mind is JOY! Someone decided to follow Jesus, we saw life and joy in students’ eyes for the first time, and youth were able to come away, play and hear over and over that they have purpose, they are loved, and God is with them no matter what life looks like. These students are hungry for more, and we’re excited to walk with them this fall.
YOUTH CAMP
“You’re back! There’s so much I have to tell you!!”
“I don’t know if I believe in God, but this camp has had a really big impact on my life.”
Youth Camp at Conestoga Bible Camp is one of my most favourite weeks of the year, and this year was no exception. Being part of this team (since 2019!) has given me a front-row seat to see campers grow and mature over the years. This week was marked by pure fun and deep levels of vulnerability. We’re celebrating two campers deciding to follow Jesus, real bravery in campers sharing hard things about their life, and four campers wanting to stay connected throughout the year. What a gift!
PRAYER
For the ‘M’ family and the health of dad
For J, A and N as they continue on the journey of following Jesus
That God would grow the seeds that were planted this summer
For volunteers and staff to join our team in North Perth
THANK YOU
Words can’t express how grateful I am for each of you. Your prayer, encouragement, support and partnership in this work is often too much to comprehend. On the days that are more difficult than good, your presence and support remind me that I am not alone, that you do this work with me, and ultimately, it’s all God’s anyways.
Thank you. It’s all a gift.
