Young Life Vietnam!  Still in awe when I say that.  Just finished our first day and bottom line....I am so impressed with our leadership here, they are off the charts.  We spent today talking over the upcoming camp (starts on Friday) where we thought that they were going to bring 75 kids and 25 leaders.  Found out today that they are brining 100 kids!  I have attached a picture of all the kids names on a white board.  At the end of our training today we wrote these names down and then all prayed over them together.  I thought you could all join in and pray for all these non-believing Vietnamese kids. 

We have 15 leaders going to camp with these 100 kids and another 10 Work Crew who are leaders in the provinces around Vietnam.  We had provincial leaders come so they could see camp and learn how to do it themselves.  Found out today that one of our young leaders in the Dak Lak province just north of HCMC has already started 2 clubs.  He brought with him 4 incredible young leaders.  They started doing clubs after Josh Powell, Denae Wood, and I did our training with them last August.  They took what they learned, started doing contact work, and have now started 2 clubs with over 50 coming to each.  Kit, the senior leader there had to shut down the clubs however because it became too large and visible and the authorities told them they could not meet anymore.  They now meet at the front courtyard of a church (not ideal, said Kit, but the only safe place – love that by the way!)

One last note on today.  Three years ago Rob Crawford and I came here and did the first YL training.  Shortly after one of the new leaders was doing contact work and met a kid named Chang (pronounced way different than you think).  Chang met Christ at one of the first clubs YL Vietnam ever did.  Today he was there at the training and is going to camp as a leader with guys he has been doing contact work with on the soccer field near the school.  Our first YL kid to meet Christ is now a new volunteer leader.  I will snap a picture of him tomorrow and post it for you. 

By the way 100 kids to camp cost $1500 - $10 bucks a kid - love the leverage here! 

Monday in Hong Kong = A huge pile of business cards.  So I have been to Wall Street, London, and Tokyo, but it is hard to explain Hong Kong.  Wow.  The combination of western influence and Chinese money and power is palpable.  Add to this the movement of God in this city and it was one of the more amazing days I have had in a long time.  This city is thirsting for something as relational, intentional, and strategic as Young Life.  We are ready to be here and today was a HUGE day for this. 

I am getting ready to head to Vietnam tonight but not before I had this for dinner!  GO DUCKS!!!

Another incredible day here in Hong Kong.  The Lord is moving here in an incredible way.  While we came with many meetings set up, our schedule was open how the Lord might fill it in.  Example:  I went to Watermark church yesterday and ended up in a conversation with the Secratary of Commerce and Trade in Hong Kong.  An incredible guy who after about :45min of talking Young Life, people, etc, he said - "I can be of help to you", and we exchanged information.  Come to find out he is friends with some of the people we are here meeting with and had heard about us.  Not a bad divine appointment. 

I also connected with Andi & Paul Dwyer who are the parents of an old campaigner kid.  They took me up to Victoria Point that overlooks Hong Kong.  (see picture).  It is 6:45am here as a type and we are off to the IFC (International Financial Center) for a full day of meeting with donors, Young Life friends, potential staff, and teachers. 

I knew we were supposed to come, but I had no idea how the Lord was already stirring energy around lost kids here.  Young Life is coming here, in a big way!

Incredible first day here in Hong Kong.  Spent most of the day with ECC and Watermark churches.  They are connected with Tim Keller and many of the high schools and colleges here on the Island side of HK.  We drew maps on white boards, walked the streets, talked people, money, and vision.

Had an incredible day and ended with view of this Skyline!

Hong Kong & Vietnam Trip

Friends,
First thing, click the - follow - feature on this blog! 

I am on my way (currently over the Pacific somewhere) to Hong Kong and Vietnam for the next 10 days.  I brief description of the trip is below but if you would like to follow a daily prayer and activity log (as you know I like to spice these up a bit – fun times), you can visit my blog here          for daily updates. 

Hong Kong- I will be with Clif Davidson (VP for YL Asia).  We will have four days of meeting new friends to launch the adult side of YL in HK.  We have new HS and MS clubs running with 150 kids already having attended a club in the last month.  Pray for God to stir up a team of people who are passionate about reaching kids and will jump on board as we prepare to hire staff and raise money in this significant city.  Pray for God to open a door with a possible staff person...we believe this person already lives in Hong Kong! 

Vietnam - Clif and I will spend two days training a team of 25 volunteers how to lead camp, and then one full day with the two key people who lead the work, Alex and Kaigee. We will also meet with several Vietnamese business people who could potentially help fund our work there.  Pray for everyone to get a DNA implant on YL ministry. Also ask the Lord for a great weekend with 80 kids the weekend of June 1-3, particularly for safety in every way.

This is going to be a fun trip but extremely busy with meetings and people.  Pray for health for me and Clif, and safety as we travel – especially in Vietnam. 

I am so grateful to have you walking with me, us, and kids around the world. 

Jamie