As I mentioned in the 32-Day blur post below, I had the privilege of being with students for a week at Daytona Beach a few weeks ago, one of which was a 15 year old named Brady. I got to know Brady through a letter he wrote in March which reads:
3/3/09
Dear Mr. Giglio,
Hi, my name is Brady S. and I’m 15 years old. I live in West Virginia. You are, to sum it up in a few words, my hero. Hearing God’s word through you absolutely changed my life. I thank the Lord for you everyday and you would not believe the amount of times I’ve watched Indescribable. I saw you at Myrtle Beach in 2007 at Student Life @ the Beach and I am stoked for Daytona this year!!!
The experience is one that will never be forgotten and I wish that all of my friends could attend, but one thing is stopping me from making that happen, price.. It led me to God and knowing that, I want to give others that same opportunity. The town of Berkeley Springs is not a very wealthy one and $500 a person is a lot to ask for students to pay. With all of our fund raising projects, we hope to maybe decrease that price to at least $300. But what kills me is that teens my age are going to miss out on something so life changing all because they can’t afford it. Should price be a factor in starting a relationship with God? I don’t think so, but I’m 15 and can’t do much about it other than generously asking for donations.
I would do anything to make this trip possible to 56 others, so they can experience the same thing I have. I am hoping that maybe you can help me in some way even if that way is simply praying for my church. And I’d like to thank you so much for being a positive role-model. When I grow up, I hope to be just as faithful as you are and thanks again for changing my life.
Thanks again and may God be with you.
Sincerely,
Brady S.
Hmmm. The average 15 year old letter, right?!?!
Well, though it’s impossible for me to personally respond to all the correspondence we receive, I shot Brady some encouragement and a short reply… and I waited.
A few weeks ago, at Student Life @ The Beach, I got to meet Brady, his mom, his youth pastor AND the 56 students that came from Berkeley Springs to experience one of the most amazing weeks of camp I have ever been a part of. Brady’s dream was realized and he filled a charter bus with friends and made the trek to Daytona Beach.
A few days after the week was over, this e-mail came:
Dear Louie,
What a week! I can’t choose a word to describe it, simply because there aren’t enough words to describe the pure awesomeness of it. Wow!! First I’d again like to thank you for your help in getting us there, it means more to me than I’m sure you know. So thank you for that.
I’d like to take this time and tell you about the things I’m talking about when I say this week was so amazing. I think you should see what you have helped me accomplish. You see, I had many people come who weren’t involved in youth group and had no faith what-so-ever. You changed that the first night for a few of them. Through you, God spoke to them personally and revealed Himself to them. Derrick C., 15 year old sophomore, now a follower of Christ; Shawn S., 16 year old junior, now a follower of Christ; Sabrina B., 16 year old junior, now a follower of Christ; Kevin C., 16 year old junior, now a follower of our Savior; Summer M., 13 year old 8th grader, now a follower of Christ; Brittani J., 17 year old senior, now a follower of Christ; Derrick S., 15 year old sophomore, now a follower of God, the Creator of Everything!
They never had much of any faith at all, and in just a few days, turned their life around. That made my week. If nothing else would have happened, I would’ve went home excited for them! It was awesome.
All my friends wouldn’t stop saying how I made it all happen and without me we wouldn’t have been there, blah blah blah. The old me was VERY arrogant and would have loved those compliments, yet I just kept telling them, “God made it happen, thank Him.” So then on Wednesday when I got to meet you and my group did as well, (they loved that by the way! Thanks!) all that was coming at me was more compliments, and again, I wasn’t absorbing them, just reflecting them up to the heavens. But then the moment that defined my week was when you decided to use me as your example and tell 7000 people about me. When they were cheering for me and my story, wow. Was I encouraged? Absolutely! But, I was as humble as I had ever been! I saw that it was exactly what God had in mind for me that week, for me to be humbled and I have you, Mr. Pastor Giglio (since you like that so much) to partially thank for that.
….Thank you! And most of all, above everything else, thank God. My friends…get my passion for the things I do now. I may actually have some more support this year when I get 112 people down there!!
For everything you’ve done for me and my group, thank you..
-Brady
P.S: Only 358 more days!
Wow! Just another 15 year old dreaming and giving his all to make Jesus famous!! How amazing!
Humbled, too,
Louie
PSS-I would look for TWO charter buses heading south from West Virginia next July!
