An Update from Kinsey McLeod

Here's the most recent update from one of our small group leaders, Kinsey, who is currently serving for a short time with YWAM. 

Hello friends and family!

It has been a while since writing, as wifi is very hard to come by where we are staying, so I will apologize in advance if this email seems rushed or doesn't make sense as I have only a few free minutes! We are living in a beautiful beach town, Petrosino, about 40 minutes from Castlevetrano, where we are doing ministry each day. We have been here 10 days and seems some really amazing things. 

The couple we are working with, Tomaso and Barbara go each day to different refugee camps and pass out clothing and Bibles, but that is not all! When Tomaso finishes handing out his supplies, he gathers as many people who will stay and listen and begins to pray and sing, and the refugees (predominately young men from North Africa here in Sicily) stay and listen and praise the Lord too! One day we went up to a camp about 2 hours away, way up into the mountains overlooking the Mediterranean, a camp of 1300 men, mostly under the age of 20. We opened up the backs of our vans and began passing out bibles and shirts, and the men just kept running to us. With each Bible( he had boxes of Bibles in 5 languages) we passed out, Tomaso would grab their hand and say "God bless you my friend". I honestly at first thought "what good is this really doing? These people are in a camp, don't they need so much more than a Bible and a few pieces of clothing?" But then instantly I was reminded the power of God's word, and the power of the Holy Spirit. 

This day, a refugee man came forward who has been living in the camp for a few months, he shared about the power of Jesus. He danced and sang! He held his Bible high and said "we're living in a camp and it's hard! But JESUS will get us through this. This is not the end, keep persevering! Never let this book depart from your mouth, meditate on it day and night!" Then he began shouting "day and night! Say and night!" And the circle grew, and the dancing and rejoicing grew- I was so moved and exploding with joy and emotion! How joyful these men are, who have seen horrible things, who have lived a nightmare, who have had everything taken from them, who have no family, who may even still be underage and alone in a foreign land- but STILL can praise the Lord, because they know he is working and real. Wow! 

I was so encouraged, and out of that- so driven to love these people even more. We pack clothes on some days of the week, and though sometimes it is boring and hard to see how it is really making a difference- I think of these guys' joy, and how we are doing God's work, providing for a need and providing hope. We are leaving soon and will have a week of debrief in Florida, then I am North Carolina bound!! I would love prayer for my team- for energy and continued unity, as well as safety in traveling and joy in everything we do. Much love! Can't wait to see everyone soon :)