While making preparations for a future endeavor we often imagine ourselves carrying out the action. You may even set up a specific location in your head with details of the people or places you plan to encounter, providing you with a vision of the experience before it even takes place. It is impossible to know every outcome, but having a vision can help propel you into a future of your own making.

Our last three work days in Santiago were dedicated to a group of young people at a local high school, approximately 14-16 yrs old. We were provided with an outline of events and a list of goals to be met. We planned for hours by reviewing the details, trying to envision the activities, honing them into a set of classes we hoped would make the most impact in their lives. We settled on one main topic: "Who do you want to be?" We supported the theme with classes on appropriate relationships, leadership, and a vision for their future.

The goal is always to make a small difference in at least one person’s life; however, when working with young people, it is difficult to gauge what their reaction might be. We approached them as strangers, but their warm and supportive reception exceeded our expectations. We walked in hoping merely to be heard, and we walked out with not only new friends, but with a better vision for our own future as well.

"In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps." - Proverbs 16:9