My husband and I started off volunteering with YoungLives in 2013 as mentors.  Fast forward a few years and now I’m part of the welcoming team, while Chris, my husband hangs out with the toddlers, so that the mamas and papas can get some much needed time in the word, fellowshipping with friends, participating in games and skits and getting creative during craft.  And speaking of which, this last Club, we got to play a pretty wild game of “Dragon tag.’  I know, sounds crazy, and it really was!  The team I was on lost in the first round (sorry girls), because we lost our “tail” to another so called dragon.  Haha—it was awesome!  But it’s always so fun seeing everyone’s faces light up, engage in a silly game and really encourage each other.  Just love it.

Samantha at her mentee’s graduation ceremony

Now, there’s something else I really enjoy, and that’s hearing other people’s testimonies.  And I especially love hearing them when they’re shared by three people, done in a sort of three part story.  You’re sort of left hanging by the edge of your seat, waiting in anticipation to hear what the next person is going to say; all while holding back tears (unless like you’re like me—you just cry like a baby, because you don’t care).  It’s like watching your favorite TV show and a commercial comes on.  Except, this is WAY better, because it’s about Jesus!  I love hearing about how God has touched and changed other’s lives.  There is always someone in the room who can relate.  ALWAYS!  After testimonies, was crafts for the ladies and “guy time” for…the uh…guys.  But this week was very different.  Instead of rushing over to split up and get crafty, almost all of the guys and girls stayed in the meeting area and met with someone to talk about life.  Shared how they felt about the testimonies and which person they could relate to the most.  People were prayed over, encouraged, cried a little more, hugs were exchanged.  Man, it was just so sweet!  Finally, when there was only about ten minutes left, we rushed over to make some pretty amazing fabric headbands, a few girls won beautiful flower arrangements and others won ice cream cone making kits.

Samantha’s twins with the YoungLives kiddos

As some of you may already know, Chris and I are taking our four young children to Ecuador for a two year mission trip.  We are really going to miss these fun Club nights!  Even our children have gotten a chance to make new friends and just let loose while running around and playing. YoungLives has played such a huge part in our lives and we’re glad that God has allowed us to be a part of it.

In closing, I’d like to leave you all with a verse.  It’s one of our favorites in our house and was shared last week, by Manny, who gave his testimony.  “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

-Samantha Visscher

My name is Cody and my wife and I have been volunteering with YoungLives since September with our church life group. We began volunteering at the Huntington Beach YL group and began driving a young teen and her son to the group. Not having been involved in YL before, we weren’t exactly sure what to expect but were excited and willing to give it a try. We immediately connected with the young mom and her son. We had a great time talking with them, playing games and listening to stories throughout the evening. For the next few weeks we continued our time at the Huntington Beach group.

As a life group that was designed to turn into a church plant in Santa Ana, we felt called to help launch the Santa Ana YL group. In January, we started the first Santa Ana group and began helping out in a different capacity. We weren’t in a position to be able to drive any young mom’s and their babies but instead began developing relationships once at the group. I was able to help lead the games/skits portion of the evening and it has been a lot of fun to encourage everyone to participate and get them to laugh. In addition, I have been able to connect with young men during ‘guys time’ and playing sports with them afterward. 

Over the past 3 months of the Santa Ana group, I have been encouraged to see these young men and women show up, participate, laugh, eat meals together and engage in spiritual conversations. I look forward to continuing to grow in friendships, especially with these young men and to be an encouragement to them. I believe that everyone is seeking community, and that looks different for each person. I know that YL is a place where these teens can come and feel a sense of community, truly be themselves and feel loved. It’s amazing how such a short period of time can change your heart. I look forward to future gatherings with the teens, volunteers and mentors as we continue in community together.

– Cody Schilling