Zeke's Young Life Graduation Trip
Donation protected
As many of you may know, about three years ago this spring my dad made the decision to move our family from Jupiter, Florida to Naperville, Illinois where he went on staff at a Harvest Bible Chapel as a campus pastor. As a family, we had many mixed emotions about the move, but personally I was livid. I was upset beyond belief, to the point that I made an attempt to run away from home. We moved up here that summer of 2014. That summer I made some good friendships through the church youth group, but, unfortunately as soon as school started I never saw anyone I knew anymore due to the fact we all went to different schools.
I started the first day of my sophomore year sitting alone at lunch in a 3000 kid school. It wasn’t until the second week when a couple of seniors, who were allowed to leave school for lunch, decided to stay in and sit with me. They happened to be good friends with my neighbor, who watched us move in. One of them was a pastor’s kid, and a bunch of them had younger siblings in my grade. That night they arranged to give me a ride to a Young Life Campaigners Bible study where they all led as seniors.
As I walked down the stairs to the basement that Monday night, I heard fifty different high school kids I’ve never even seen before yell my name and shake my hand and ask about me. I felt welcome like never before. Long story short, that night I made friendships that have grown and been fruitful ever since. The people I met that night have stuck by my side day in and day out these last few years. Most importantly they’ve brought me closer to the Lord and I hope I have been able to do the same for them.
Young Life, as an organization, has made all of this possible. The leaders are phenomenal! They’re always hanging out with us and leading in Bible studies or keeping me accountable...they have always been there. The college and staff leaders are always organizing outreach events and making things fun and exciting.
Now my senior year of high school is coming to an end, and I’ve been blessed to be a part of Young Life and such an amazing group of people. It has been a fantastic few years and I have had countless opportunities to speak into people’s lives. At one point I had the chance to even return the favor of introducing my now best friend into our group when he moved to the U.S. from Hong Kong during our junior year. I have been gifted with the opportunity to lead and be a part of this organization.
This summer I have the opportunity to be lead and discipled by Young Life leaders in an intensive backpacking and camping trip in British Columbia. Each summer Young Life organizes a trip for a small group graduated senior guys. This opportunity is a once in a lifetime opportunity. We will be together in the most uncomfortable situations while also experiencing breathtaking views of the Lord’s creation. Most importantly we will be growing closer to God and challenging each other to do the same, on this eight day backpacking trip up and back down the mountain.
In total the trip will cost about $2200, that’s including the very specific packing list, travel expenses, and food. I set up a gofundme page at the link below. If you are interested in supporting me, by helping cover the costs, it will allow me to help others raise their support. If you are not able to help financially, please keep this trip in your prayers. I will also be mulching with Young Life in the spring to raise money for the trip. If I raise all of my funds before the mulching begins, I will still be mulching and putting money towards my friends’ trip costs. Please keep my friends and I in your prayers.
I started the first day of my sophomore year sitting alone at lunch in a 3000 kid school. It wasn’t until the second week when a couple of seniors, who were allowed to leave school for lunch, decided to stay in and sit with me. They happened to be good friends with my neighbor, who watched us move in. One of them was a pastor’s kid, and a bunch of them had younger siblings in my grade. That night they arranged to give me a ride to a Young Life Campaigners Bible study where they all led as seniors.
As I walked down the stairs to the basement that Monday night, I heard fifty different high school kids I’ve never even seen before yell my name and shake my hand and ask about me. I felt welcome like never before. Long story short, that night I made friendships that have grown and been fruitful ever since. The people I met that night have stuck by my side day in and day out these last few years. Most importantly they’ve brought me closer to the Lord and I hope I have been able to do the same for them.
Young Life, as an organization, has made all of this possible. The leaders are phenomenal! They’re always hanging out with us and leading in Bible studies or keeping me accountable...they have always been there. The college and staff leaders are always organizing outreach events and making things fun and exciting.
Now my senior year of high school is coming to an end, and I’ve been blessed to be a part of Young Life and such an amazing group of people. It has been a fantastic few years and I have had countless opportunities to speak into people’s lives. At one point I had the chance to even return the favor of introducing my now best friend into our group when he moved to the U.S. from Hong Kong during our junior year. I have been gifted with the opportunity to lead and be a part of this organization.
This summer I have the opportunity to be lead and discipled by Young Life leaders in an intensive backpacking and camping trip in British Columbia. Each summer Young Life organizes a trip for a small group graduated senior guys. This opportunity is a once in a lifetime opportunity. We will be together in the most uncomfortable situations while also experiencing breathtaking views of the Lord’s creation. Most importantly we will be growing closer to God and challenging each other to do the same, on this eight day backpacking trip up and back down the mountain.
In total the trip will cost about $2200, that’s including the very specific packing list, travel expenses, and food. I set up a gofundme page at the link below. If you are interested in supporting me, by helping cover the costs, it will allow me to help others raise their support. If you are not able to help financially, please keep this trip in your prayers. I will also be mulching with Young Life in the spring to raise money for the trip. If I raise all of my funds before the mulching begins, I will still be mulching and putting money towards my friends’ trip costs. Please keep my friends and I in your prayers.
Organizer and beneficiary
Zeke Hill
Organizer
Naperville, IL
Johannah Hill
Beneficiary