• Home
  • Who We Are
    • What Compels Us
    • the Development Team
    • Global Youth Workers
    • Strategic Partnerships
    • FAQs
  • Where We Work
    • Argentina
    • Bangladesh
    • Bulgaria
    • Chile
    • Haiti
    • Kenya
    • Malawi
    • Southeast Asia
    • Thailand
    • Zambia
  • Get Involved
    • Opportunities
    • Internships
    • Apprenticeships
    • Ends of the Earth Bike Ride
    • Send & Support
    • Pray with us
  • Blog
    • E-News
    • Archives
  • Contact

youthHOPE

transforming the lives of global youth

facebook twitter blog flickr rss

About Kristy

When I was five years old, my momma always told me that faith was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down "faithful." They told me I didn't understand the assignment and I told them they didn't understand life.

Provision for Global Youth Workers

January 27, 2012 by Kristy Leave a Comment
rice

God’s promise of providing exactly what we need is seen all throughout His word. Sometimes I forget how miraculous God’s provision really is. He has been faithful from the gift of mah-na in the desert (Exodus 16:9-16) to our greatest need Jesus, the Bread of Life (John 16:25). Time and time again he shows how he will provide for the needs of those who trust in the Word. Recently, I have been reminded of this truth through God’s miraculous provision for YouthHOPE's global youth workers, Ryan and Mary, in the country of Myanmar. Their Entrepreneurship School is in the midst of developing a school curriculum and they are finally seeing fruit from the research and planning. Your prayers have been greatly appreciated and God has been faithful in providing for a need of computers through a friend of Mary’s. In fact, the computer company was so generous and offered to put in the internet and provide a one year warranty as well as …
[Read more...]

Filed Under: General, Global Youth Worker Stories Tagged With: Provision, support raising, trust, youth worker stories

Same Same but Different

January 5, 2012 by Kristy 1 Comment
youth event

Same same but different- definition: being one or identical though having diverse names, aspects, locations, etc. This summer everywhere we went we heard this term "same same but different".  I can't think of a better way to describe the youth culture of the world; it is the same same but different everywhere. From the Beatles, to Elvis, to the current teen idol of choice Justin Bieber; youth have been awestruck by teen idols for decades.  Young American girls are not the only ones mesmerized by teen pop super stars.  In Europe, millions of youth tuned in last year to watch the marriage of Prince William to his new bride Kate.  A more recent royal wedding took place one month ago where multitudes of youth in South Asia crowded to the wedding of the King heart throb of Bhutan, turning the "simple and traditional wedding" into what looked like a grand celebration.  Just like Justin Bieber is popular to the girls of …
[Read more...]

Filed Under: General, YM Advice Tagged With: global youth, Southeast Asia, youth culture, youth ministry

Get Youth Onboard

October 23, 2011 by Kristy 3 Comments
110826_7d03b

Youth are ready and capable for ministry today. Example 173: coming out of SE Asia via the link below, which highlights youth from Thailand and Cambodia meeting together for a peace camp. Number is obviously fictitious (though I'm sure one could get to 173 examples, some of the first few were Jesus selecting 12 young men to be his original disciples and the apostle Paul's relationship and letter to Timothy) and the article doesn't actually speak about youth engaged in ministry, but rather a more general example of youth being responsible for real change within society. This story is an interesting addition to the conversation though, because it is an example where youth are succeeding (all be it slightly) while adults are failing. Google Thailand and Cambodia in the same search, and you'll immediately be introduced to the ongoing border disputes. The adults in power continue to quarrel, but a few select youth from each country are …
[Read more...]

Filed Under: Newsworthy Tagged With: adolescence, Southeast Asia

90% before 18, globally 2

September 29, 2011 by Kristy 2 Comments
DSCN0430

Youth ministers love to throw around the 90% stat. I've personally done informal surveys all of the world. When asked to teach I'll ask the room if they all are one of the 90%. The results are always the same. More than 90% affirm that they too are in the majority, and then everyone looks somewhat awkwardly at the one or two that didn't raise their hand interested in hearing their story of how they became a follower. The age changes. Some say 12, others 14. I usually play it safe and say 18, but while the age differs it has become common knowledge within YM circles that 90% of people that ever make a decision to follow the Christ do so before they exit adolescence. If that sounds unrealistic to you, I challenge you to join me in my informal research. Next time you are around more than 10 Christians ask them to raise their hand if they became a Christian before the age of 18. …
[Read more...]

Filed Under: Global Needs, Gospel Tagged With: global needs, global youth ministry, youth ministry

All the Single Ladies!

September 18, 2011 by Kristy 1 Comment
941_0426

Each day, in new ways, God continues to remind me that there is no safer place to be than walking in the His will.  The fundamental root to trusting God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength is first acknowledging that GOD IS ALL GOOD and despite every conceivable problem you can think of, He still always holds your best interests at heart. He WILL equip you for every trial you face. If God chose only perfect people to do his good deeds then nothing would get done.  Therefore, our God does not call those who are equipped by their own deeds, but rather He fully equips those He calls. So all of you single ladies... if you feel called to ministry overseas as a single woman read this and be encouraged!  There are women thriving in ministry around the globe, and many of them are…. you guessed it….. single. In fact, I had the chance to spend June and July with an incredible woman following God’s calling to work with …
[Read more...]

Filed Under: Global Youth Worker Stories, Gospel Tagged With: Jesus, missiology, Southeast Asia

The Demise of Guys?!?

September 4, 2011 by Kristy 1 Comment
Screen shot 2011-08-29 at 4.39.06 PM

There are some alarming statistics in this brief 4 minute TED.com talk. It isn't about the weakness of the economy or the decline in belief in a literal heaven and hell among youth, but rather the decline of the youth themselves. At least the male half that is. Check it out: So what's our move? How does this affect the way we do youth ministry in technologically advanced societies? All technology, like medicine, has potential side effects. Within youth ministry, like most other fields, the benefits of new technology are much easier to label. Mostly because they are immediate, while the side effects take time to surface. Sex, or rather porn, was talked about quite a bit for such a short video, and while the statistics were alarming, the church is responding. How is the church going to respond to the other major side effects - decrease in social skills and attention span, today's youth in developed countries are facing …
[Read more...]

Filed Under: Newsworthy Tagged With: media, videos, youth ministry

Jesus Wins!

July 18, 2011 by Kristy 1 Comment
100_2410

This might be our last blog update from Cambodia. Our team has grown exceedingly close over the past 2 months. I can hardly believe that we will soon be leaving the country that we have mutually grown to know and love.  God has definitely brought this group together for "such a time as this."  We all have different talents that can be used to bring glory to the one true King.  I am incredibly humbled to see how divine God's plan is and how he has knit us in a group, who is far better together as a team than we are as individuals.  Oh Praise Him. We have been working in separate ministries much of the summer; Kristen, Sue and Adam have been working in the villages most days of the week teaching English and Christian values. Hannah, Kristy, and Brittany have been teaching art, English and bible lessons at the safe house.  Sue just had her final class for the North Korean doctors on Monday and for the final week we will be …
[Read more...]

Filed Under: Internships Tagged With: Interns, Internships, Southeast Asia

God’s Plans Are Far Better Than Ours…

July 11, 2011 by Kristy Leave a Comment
IMG_1859

To our faithful supporters who are faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace and Peace to you from God our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ. We cannot think of a better way to address you than the way that Paul addresses the faithful church in Ephesus almost 2000 years ago.  Our team is so thankful for your partnership in sharing the gospel over the past 2 months.  We are hoping to finish the race strong together, as Christ unites our hearts through prayer.  God is revealing the fruit of your prayers in amazing ways.  Even in our struggles, God has shown us the purpose in His timing.  We would like to share a story with you of God's provision this last week. Last Tuesday, we took Britney Sue to the doctor because she had some pretty nasty bug bites on her legs.  Immediately after arriving at a clinic, they ushered her back into the surgical room followed by three doctors, then three more... and then 3 more closely behind....  Don't …
[Read more...]

Filed Under: Internships Tagged With: Interns, Internships, Southeast Asia

Woah… We’re Halfway There…

July 3, 2011 by Kristy Leave a Comment
100_1789

In exactly 3 weeks we begin our journey to the US. It can't be true that we've been away from home for over a month now??! This week we closed a chapter in our Cambodian adventure. After 3 weeks of English classes, kids clubs, dance and Christian values classes, we said goodbye to the AMAZING kids at the Puok School out in one of the villages. It truly was a life-changing experience to work with kids who are so hungry to learn new words and hear more Bible stories. We got some beautiful artwork from some of our favorite kids as goodbye presents. It was hard to explain to them why we had to leave but we told them it was time for us to go help some different students and that we will be thinking of them always. On our last day at "sala bpoa keyoo" (the blue school), we had a little graduation ceremony from dance class, along with lots of pictures and hugs with the leadership team out there (Roselette, Nary, and Rayuk). We are so …
[Read more...]

Filed Under: Internships Tagged With: Interns, Internships, Southeast Asia

Cambo Checks In Again…

June 23, 2011 by Kristy Leave a Comment
DSCN0169

It's hard to believe we've been in SE Asia for a whole 2 weeks now! It feels like we just got here and yet it feels like we've been here FOREVER! Anyone relate?!? …
[Read more...]

Filed Under: Internships Tagged With: Internships, Southeast Asia

This Doesn’t Happen in America!

June 22, 2011 by Kristy Leave a Comment
swahili lesson in market

Jambo! Habari gani? In case you don’t speak Kiswahili that means, “Hello! What’s new?” Over the past couple of weeks we have been spending our mornings learning Kiswhalili from our new friend Ann. We have learned some useful phrases and have been practicing throughout town, in church, at schools and during youth and children’s fellowships. We received a challenge to have a full day of Kiswahili by the end of our trip…we’ll be using a lot of body language that day. During the past couple of days, we have had the opportunity to embrace the Kenyan (primarily Maasai) culture through our visits to various primary and secondary schools. Yesterday, we were able to take part in the Maasai Girl’s Secondary School church service as we learned dances and talked over a cup of chai. We have also had the pleasure of making friends with a number of the local youth workers.  We have been able to invite them over for games and hot …
[Read more...]

Filed Under: Internships Tagged With: Interns, Internships, Kenya

Kenya hits the ground running!

June 17, 2011 by Kristy Leave a Comment
airport[1]

Upon our arrival at pre-field orientation, we were surprised with an adventurous cultural experience to prepare us for our time in Kenya. During orientation we became unified as a team through the cultural-entry adventure, seminars, team-building activities, sharing our personal testimonies, and spending time socializing together. We left orientation feeling prepared as possible to serve together in Kenya. Our travels to Kenya entailed an overnight flight from Miami to London.  We endured a 9-hour layover, during which we ate, slept and began to write lesson plans. Feeling sleep deprived, our next overnight flight from London to Nairobi departed at 9pm. After obtaining several hours of sleep on the plane, we arrived in Nairobi, Kenya! Thank the Lord, none of our bags were lost in the process! We were greeted with a humorous introduction to our host missionary, Elijah Ombati, and one of the gentlemen with witch we will be …
[Read more...]

Filed Under: Internships Tagged With: Internships, Kenya

What’s Going on in Malawi?

June 12, 2011 by Kristy Leave a Comment
Bible Study

Muli Bwanji? (How are you?), Greetings from Team Malawi! We have arrived in Malawi just 2 days ago after a long couple days of traveling. The journey was met with little to no problems. It was a good experience as a team to venture into London for a few hours during our 9 hour layover at Heathrow. It was wonderful to be reunited with the Banda's as they welcomed us warmlyinto their home. It has taken us a while to recoup our energy and sleep and now we are doing well.  Laney, Amy, and Katie went into town yesterday with the national missionaries Rutherford and Tsahai Banda to get traditional clothing called "Zitenge" to wear in the village's. They visited the town market for vegetables and fruit which was a immersive experience.." Never experienced anything like that before. It was intimidating and a bit overwhelming but stretched me in a positive way."  - Laney Binkley The next two days we are preparing lessons for the youth …
[Read more...]

Filed Under: Internships Tagged With: Internships, Malawi, Zambia

Cambodia – Here we Come!!

June 12, 2011 by Kristy Leave a Comment
IMG_1468

We're finally on the last leg of our journey to our home for the summer. We've spent 23 hours in 4 different airplanes, 8 hours in airports, 3 overnights - 1 in Bangkok and 2 in Phnom Penh, and now we're in the middle of our 6 hour bus ride to our YWAM base. Needless to say, we've gotten to know each other quite well already! Lots of laughs, lots of yawns, & not much sleep. Here are the highlights of our journey across the globe: Being served breakfast, lunch and dinner on the plane to Tokyo A 2 a.m. tour of Bangkok with pit stops for some authentic street food and a drive through the flower market Sweating through multiple pairs of clothes Paying in U.S. Dollars and getting change in Khmer Riel Meeting and LOVING our host, Jenni Drive-bys of the King's Palace No shoes, cushion seats, AMAZING dinner Lots of tuk-tuk rides all around the city Bartering in the market A trip to the TUOL SLENG Genocide Museum …
[Read more...]

Filed Under: Internships Tagged With: Internships, Southeast Asia

Is body image just a Western Issue?

March 28, 2011 by Kristy Leave a Comment
body_image

  A new study has found body image is the top concern for youth in W. Australia, even over important issues like family conflict or school problems. As I read through this news article, it seems to me to be more Western or or at least an issue that is more prevalent among youth in developed countries. I don't have the statistics to back this up (yet), and the little amount of looking around for them has turned up nil so far. Kind of seems like an obvious result though. When you are striving to survive, I don't think there is much time to deal with some of the more introspective issues like body image. Let me give you an example (please do not misunderstand me, I am in no way trying to minimize the issue of body image that teens face in a very real way in many countries). Let's take the case of Chotsani, a 16 year old female young person in Malawi. She is the default head of her household now since both of her parents have died …
[Read more...]

Filed Under: Global Needs Tagged With: global youth ministry, parents, youth ministry
« Older Posts

Blog Archives

YouthHOPE's flickr stream

New Leader Entrepreneurship
Students First day of class
Working on homework

Partner With Us – Fill out a Ministry Application!

Click here to start the application process to work with us on a future project!

Receive YouthHOPEs E-News

Newsletter Signup

Noteworthy Reads

IMG_0297

A Treasure to Offer

airplane

Are You Unable to See?

Muslim book from Library

Ramadan

Less-equals-more

Less Equals More

Topics of Interest

adolescence Apprenticeships Bible College Bulgaria Chile Christ Christ in Youth church community conferences culture current events education global needs global youth global youth ministry global youth worker gospel Haiti holistic needs Interns Internships Jesus job creation Kenya leadership development Malawi missiology mission work opportunities parents partners poverty prayer relationships resources Southeast Asia support raising Thailand unemployment videos youth youth group youth ministry Zambia

Blog Posts

May 2012
M T W T F S S
« Apr    
 123456
78910111213
14151617181920
21222324252627
28293031  

Recommended Blogs

  • Fuller Youth Institute
  • Global Youth Ministry
  • Urban Action
  • Youth Workin' it

Return to top of page

Copyright © 2012 youthHOPE | design by robin cornett | Log in