When I first visited the San Juan Hills High School Campus, it was odd. I didn’t know anyone, yet I was setting out to build friendships here. I was only allowed on campus because it was after school, but I was supposed start up conversations with tons of kids. Most of all, I had no idea what I was doing, or even why God had called me to San Juan Capistrano. It seemed like a bad plan to just show up to an empty school, but here I was walking around empty classrooms praying for people I hadn’t even seen yet.
Fast forward a few months, and I can’t walk from parking lot to the office without being stopped three or four times. Some kids want to say hello, some want to hang out later. Some coach wants to meet after class, some staff person wants to shake hands. The principal waves from within his office and the custodian gives me a salute. You’d think that I had done something quite amazing to earn all of this respect and to meet all of these people. In fact, all I ever did was show up. My ability to be present for kids is extremely important for them, and therefore it is also important to their teachers, coaches, parents and friends.
I once told someone that if I could choose to do anything and have it be my “job”, I would be a friend. Just that. Young Life is enables me to be exactly that for these high schoolers. If they need a ride, if they want someone to listen, if they need to vent, if they want encouragement; I get to give it to them. Of course, I’m not their only friend, but I can be there for them if they would like. I invite them to things - weekly Club, laser tag, pool parties - and I continue to invite them even if they never come. I want these students to feel wanted, and I want them to see Jesus who loves them more than anyone ever could.
My main reason for being on campus is that I help coach Track & Field. Our season was ending and the question I kept hearing was, “Will you still be around?” That means a lot to me, that these teenagers even care whether or not I will see them multiple times a week. It means that these kids want what God has given me to offer. It means that I get to keep showing up. Most of all, it means that I can continue to witness Christ at work in the lives of my friends each day.
