Change happens all the time. It’s something that we must all learn to navigate. Sometimes it is difficult and frustrating, while other times it is invigorating and easy. Sometimes it steals the life and hope out of your dreams, while other times it puts wind in wilted sails.
Over the last couple of months there have been quite a few changes in YMI and our family ... and we’re not expecting it to stop for a while.
Change #1: New YMI team members. The YMI team grew to three people last month. On Youthfront staff are two incredibly gifted and talented leaders who have decided to devote a large amount of time to YMI this fall.
Kurt Rietema has led our Mexico program for the last several years and has recently moved into an ethnically diverse, low-income region known as the Argentine district near I-635 and Metropolitan. Kurt views his life as one big mission, seeking to live out his theology and love for people, even in his home choice.
Erik Leafblad recently came on staff and is in charge of the Cabin leaders at South this summer. He moved here after completing his MDiv at Princeton and has a huge interest in alternative education.
Adding these two guys into the YMI equation has been a change that has definitely added new energy to the mission. Lots of new ideas. Lots of excited conversations.
Change #2: YMI Programatic changes. One of the difficult parts of YMI has been the recruiting process. With the downturn of the economy few people have been able to get past the price tag.
In order for us to clear this hurdle we decided to cut some pieces of the program and bring the semester price to $3950 (includes everything - books, room and board, ministry, Mexico trip, etc.). That is almost half of last year’s tuition.
Some costs were easy to cut. Others were very difficult. The most difficult was our decision to drop/postpone the overseas trip to Asia. It has not necessarily been removed permanently. However, for now, it seems this is the decision to make.
Like most difficult change, once you are through the tunnel you begin to see new possibilities.
Change #3 YMI location. Last year we wanted to expose our students to missional community living. The Asia piece fulfilled that. This year, rather then spending 8 weeks at Youthfront south during the offseason, they will live in the Argentine for 14 weeks. They will build relationships, serve the community, and look to follow Christ in their context.
This will also allow us to create a more natural relationship between engagement and withdrawal. Every week the students will supplement their whole-hearted engagement in the Argentine, with a day or two of withdrawal to one of our camp facilities.
In this transition, we’re already moving. Kurt has especially been busy. He’s been building relationships with community leaders and meeting with area colleges to develop new possibilities for college credit. He’s even found someone to donate living space in the Argentine (free rent in a brand new duplex).
There is more change to come. I can feel it. We’ll keep you posted.
