YOUR SUPPORT AT WORK When You Listen and Hear You make those around you feel loved.
January 2022
BY JAIME NANNINGA
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Does the song “came in like a wrecking ball” seem familiar? Maybe you have never heard of it. This phrase tends to summarize 2021 so well. Over the last year, so much of our typical normal seems wrecked. Many programs were canceled or moved online. Many people, including youth and young adults, were still isolated and lonely. Add in to that all the things we heard from the world.
We listened. Then we leaned in to hear. We heard of youth who wanted someone to care. Teens who longed for people to spend time with them. Young adults who needed a friend. And we heard. This year CYAK listened to the hearts of the youth and young adults and went to be with them, play with them and hear them. There were times of campfires and smores, basketball on the playground court, and crafts made. Some of the times included caring for, talking with, and learning of the burdens they carried. Best of all, we were able to share hope, friendship, and love. We celebrated the gift of Jesus.
We are thankful you heard our need for your partnership. Because of you, we heard and went. Despite another year of not being together in Unalakleet, we were happy to send out teams to make camp happen in 3 places. We were also able to visit multiple villages to have in-person contact. We heard the request for help from leaders in Elim and went to listen and care for the youth. We were thankful we could send teams to walk with them. One opportunity our staff had gives a sweet example of the effect listening and hearing can have. A single mom asked one of our staff to spend time with her son. Not knowing why or the whole situation, he heard her need. They found a time that worked to meet together. Even as a mentor, there may be times when they question, “Does this teen want to hang out with a strange adult?” We have to make those mentoring times to hang out in person happen. Especially when we are a little worried about how it will go, and we hear at the end, “I just needed someone to talk to” it is worth it. We listen even more.
COVENANT YOUTH OF ALASKA A relational outreach, discipleship and leadership ministry for Alaska youth and young adults
There are also those precious times where we plan retreats, events, and hangout times because we know their need for connection is real. Listening to and hearing one another is how we care for those around us. When people feel heard, they feel loved. As the wreck of the world continues to hinder our ability to listen, the hope and love of Jesus allowed us to hear. We look forward to more opportunities. We are thankful for your ears and heart. Continue to listen and hear as the Lord puts on your heart the youth of Alaska in 2022. We appreciate your support and prayers.
CONTINUE YOUR IMPACT TODAY You are a part of the team that God has called together to impact youth and young adults in Alaska. Thank you! For more information how to make a gift, please follow the link below.
www.cyak.org/donate
Website www.cyak.org Email info@cyak.org Phone 907-222-1432