HYC Zagreb: We Are More Than What People Think We Are

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.”
1 Peter 4:10-11

HOPE Youth Corps this summer was completely eye-opening in the way I view life and comprehend the daily life as a Christian. This summer in Zagreb our HYC had the chance to mentor orphans, paint an amazing fence, meet our brothers and sisters in the church, as well as evangelizing and adventuring the country! Unfortunately, we are not allowed to post pictures of the orphans on social media because the orphanage wanted to keep it private.

I learned so much about faith and what it means to be a servant. One thing I valued and understood the most is that we are children of God and that we were all orphans at some point in life adopted by God. When I was reminded of this purpose, it allowed me to wake up everyday reminding myself that I am eternal. In today’s society and church, faith is a word that is heard so much that it became deaf to my ear at certain points in my life. In the past, when people told me to keep having faith, I would listen to it lightly because I saw it as a cliché. On HOPE Youth Corps, I learned that faith is something God values so much because since we don’t see him, he is so loved by our belief in something that the world doubts so much. Faith is truly applied on HOPE Youth Corps because you believe you can be someone you can’t see.

One other thing I loved about Youth Corps is the friendships that are built. I learned that in order for our ministry at home to be a light in the world, we must be more than just friends that attend church events together. HYC friendships are taken further than just attending church. We serve, evangelize, do fun hobbies together, and ultimately speak the truth in love to one another. HOPE Youth Corps is an invitation that Jesus wants you to experience. The wonderfully talented Nadine Templer states that “HOPE Youth Corps changes your spiritual DNA”. Youth, we can redefine ourselves in this world, but we must take this DARE that God has challenged us with! The reason I capitalize Youth is because we are more than what people think we are. HOPE Youth Corps is a memory that will be remembered in Heaven and I don’t want you to miss out on this! Thanks to everyone who allowed me to experience this. I plan to do more in the future.