The Journey

New Project, I need Your Help.

I've often pondered the value of Summer Adventure Experiences compared to other options families have to choose.  There's Sports Camps, Music Camps, even School Camps (yuck), that vie for the summer time seemingly to be shortened each year.  I know first hand the value of a retreat, but I'm always wondering what sets some facilities a part from others.  

Some Camps boast of luxury accommodations, while others keep the rustic life alive.
Some are trying to provide technology awareness, while others want to fast from technology.
Some camps are super spiritual, others not at all.
Well, I've got a new project that is starting to gain traction on a Global Stage.  

Last year I began asking questions like, "How can we provide the MOST impact in the programs we facilitate."  For the last 13 years, we've brought mainly Christian teenagers to come and understand their faith from an experiential, academic, and relational level.  I function well in that environment.

But I ran into some friends who were interested in knowing more.  They were students from Bethlehem and Jordan, the heartbeat of the Middle East.  They are interested in coming to play in Colorado, and go through our program explaining Jesus.  

We invited 10 students to come last year, and they were excited about participating.  We welcomed them into our facility with open arms, open hearts, and open spirits.  We shared what we believed, and had GREAT conversations about some of the differences they believed.  It was absolutely life changing.  I met with the kids in Amman Jordan, still smiling and telling nostalgic stories of their time at KIVU.  

This year we have 50 kids interested in the program.   

50 kids buying plane tickets.
50 kids camp tuition
50 kids eating, laughing, an interacting in a place where spiritual matters can be discussed without any threat on either side.  

It's AMAZING to watch Christian Teenagers explain their faith, and then hear from people who live in a totally different environment.  It's TOTAL learning, and challenging for both sides.  

We've got the equipment, the staff, and the tested program.  All we need are financial partners to help sponsor students to come.  

If you or your sphere of influence might be interested in sponsoring students from Bethlehem and Jordan to come to Colorado this summer... 
If you would be interested in launching a new process to invest in future leadership between two cultures.... 
If you find yourself wanting to play a part in the bigger narrative of Global Events, but you just don't know how...

Click HERE.  

100% of your donations are going directly to KIVU in order that we might facilitate an exchange program between two groups of teenagers in desperate need to make friends.   It's Tax Deductible.  Easy online.  And you can give any amount from $10 - $50K.  

If you're tired of people talking about Peace and relationships and you want to make a difference, join our team of dedicated staff who are Changing the World, one heartbeat at a time. Come Sponsor a Student, and Join Us at KIVU! http://www.crowdrise.com/brokeringpeaceatkivu/fundraiser/ahavaministries

A Farewell Day to a Wonderful Group

Today we bid a farewell to our Valley Christian High School Friends. For the last three days, we've traveled a short KIVU Journey.

We fasted from technology.
We invited them to a life of relationship.
We helped them see hope in hopeless times in life.
We laughed a lot.
We even saw a few tears.

Last night the Seniors had an opportunity to share their highlights of spending 4 years at their high school. Some were filled with laughter as they told stories you could make reality television shows about.

Others took the chance to encourage their friends, and make sure they understood how much they meant.

But the most surprising part of the evening was when the spirit of forgiveness laid over the room. Guys were asking forgiveness for the times they hurt each other. Girls stood up and looked other girls in the eyes and asked they be forgiven for the times they hurt one another.

It was powerful!!!

Just another indication that the time spent taking time to focus on relationships pays off.

Today they travel back to Phoenix. I'm thankful for the time we got to spend together, and I'm excited for their Graduation Tomorrow.

You guys did GREAT here at KIVU, and I wish you all a HUGE CONGRATS on finishing high school well.

Way to Go Class of 2013!!

Showing Teenagers You Can Have Fun Without Filth

There's a long standing tradition at KIVU, and everyone who comes expects it.  When we built the facility here outside of Durango Colorado, there was a free standing pole barn hand hewed from the original home steaders.  They actually cut down the trees and formed the beams to fit together for Hay Storage and Farm Needs.  

Without hesitation, when the construction people wanted to tear it down, we shouted loud.  'Don't tear down the barn, let's just re-enforce it.'  So instead of building new, we are satisfied with the old.  

Last night was nearly the 100th barn dance at KIVU.  Tens of Thousands of students have come to enjoy a little throwback to a slower time.  We take great care in preparing students to know how to dance, unlike some of the grinding that goes on at school dances these days.  We help the men understand how to respect a lady, and vice versa.  

As I stand back and watch the dance take place, I'm taken back to a time when teenagers didn't have to deal with an over sexualized culture.  They could simply dance together.  I recall a time when two stepping Texas style didn't last any longer than a song, instead of today's implications that if you dance with someone you have to hook up, or worse; be married forever because of a single stroll around the dance floor.

What's amazing!!  The students last night showed up with a healthy dose of skepticism, but they jumped right in.  Before the night was over, even the most socially awkward were at least trying to join the party.  

Good Clean Fun.  
That's what we're all about here.
I believe if we can teach kids to have fun without all the substances and sexual inuendo, there will be friendships formed that can last.  We don't have to be afraid of teenagers having fun.  They like to have fun, and there's few things in life more enjoyable when you can throw a party without hearing of any of the consequences of bad decisions.  

Just another day at KIVU! 

Great Conversation With Today's Young Leaders

One of the best parts about being a rafting guide is having 6 people in a raft with no distractions.  If they listen well, they don't fall out.  If they decide to do their own thing, well....

Today I had another sacred privilege of taking a group of seniors down the river here in Durango.  When we launched, I just had a hunch this was going to be special.  These kids are from Valley Christian High School in Chandler, Arizona; and they are SHARP!!

We started with small talk, 'What's your favorite movie?  What's the highlight of your year?' and then we dove into something a bit more serious.  'What was the lowest part of your senior year?'

I wasn't prepared for them to open up like they did, but I wasn't surprised at the answer.  

"Our class just has people we hang out with, but I really don't know many." one of the guys in my raft confessed.

It was like everything I've been writing about for the last year came full circle.  

They knew each other's Twitter handle.
They knew how to get a hold of one another over their cell phone.
But one girl even commented, 'It's like this last couple of days we've been forced to look each other in the eyes.'

My heart aches for a generation who are missing out on life's most important values.  Living life together is one of the most beautiful parts of being human, and we've reduced relationships to a Tweet and a Text.  

This evening I sat with a couple other students who just thanked me.  'Thanks for letting us end our high school years here (at KIVU).  I never would have ridden a bike in the mountains or rafted down a river.  This has truly been one of the best experiences of my life.'

It's so fun to watch teenagers who most have written off as a group of people just moving through life.  When they have the opportunity to recognize the value of friendship, they rise to the occasion and dive deep into the pool of relationships we were created for.  

What a sacred privilege it is to mentor teenagers, and play a small part in re-shaping the way they live life going forward.  It never gets old! 

Students Comfortable Without Cell Phones?

Yesterday, I took a group of students down the river here in Durango.  Every summer, we like to share the outdoors with our friends from around the world here at KIVU.  We Mountain Bike, Hike, Raft, and Ski, all to develop friendships and connect people with one another.  

Well, crazy thing happened.  I started asking the kids in my raft about cell phones and their usage habits.  Once again, you can learn a lot from someone when you have their undivided attention on a raft.  

"So how are you guys doing without cell phone coverage today?"I asked.
"You know, I thought I was really going to struggle.  But actually I like not feeling like I have to answer someone all the time." she responded.

One of the teachers mentioned they were thinking about cell phone rules at their school, and the kids went ballistic.  "We can't do without cell phones at school.  Our whole life is on that thing."

And then it hit me...

I wonder if we gave over to technology too fast.  We didn't think about the addiction a cell phone would have on us.  

We constantly feel like we're saving time going through emails we don't have to do at the office, but it only serves to take more time spending our free time on emails.
Students feel like it's a defense mechanism.  After all, if someone talks about me on twitter, I need to have my own version ready to respond.
We feel like we're connecting through all the social media, but really we're just isolating ourselves to the screen in front of our face.
And we think we're being efficient with our time, only to wind up a thousand people sitting alone communicating with one another on a screen.  Hmmm...I wonder....have we taken this technology too far? 

One of the students yesterday said, 'It's kind of nice to just talk to someone by looking them in the eye.'

Imagine that...

You can actually look someone in the eye to communicate.   

What we do is so fun to watch.  When you take people outside of their normal and introduce them to the possible, life changes.  These students are comfortable without cell phones, they said so.