Yesterday, I had the chance to introduce the KIVU students to my favorite "first day" game called Braner Ball. It's called Braner Ball because I invented it about 6 years ago, and it's a great intro game to learn names, learn skills, and start conversations.
As each group came out to the field, I was overwhelmed with the number of students who have been here for multiple years. I just sat back and quietly thought to myself, "I knew you when you were 13 years old, and NOW LOOK AT YOU!!"
So many of our old friends have grown up! I'm listening to the stories they tell, and I'm encouraged to know they are engaging in their communities back home. They love God well. They love Others well. And even though they're in this teenage world filled with insecurity, I believe they love Themselves well.
When we finished playing Braner Ball (the greatest game ever invented) I spent a few minutes just asking good questions.
Why do you come back to KIVU?
What are you looking forward to accomplish this week?
What would you like to discuss in our Institute times?
And again, the level of students who are out here would make you proud of the generation coming up in the world today. They're thoughtful, they're interesting, they want to learn, they desire deep conversation, and most of all they're welcoming to one another.
One student said, "I come back to KIVU because there's no other place like this in the world. I get a chance to be myself, leave all my baggage at home, and learn to love people who are truly happy with themselves."
And I couldn't think of a more honoring compliment.
Thanks for sending your kids to hang out here for two weeks. We are excited to see where these conversations go, and we're hopeful they will go out into the world and be leaders in their fields.
Andy Braner
As each group came out to the field, I was overwhelmed with the number of students who have been here for multiple years. I just sat back and quietly thought to myself, "I knew you when you were 13 years old, and NOW LOOK AT YOU!!"
So many of our old friends have grown up! I'm listening to the stories they tell, and I'm encouraged to know they are engaging in their communities back home. They love God well. They love Others well. And even though they're in this teenage world filled with insecurity, I believe they love Themselves well.
When we finished playing Braner Ball (the greatest game ever invented) I spent a few minutes just asking good questions.
Why do you come back to KIVU?
What are you looking forward to accomplish this week?
What would you like to discuss in our Institute times?
And again, the level of students who are out here would make you proud of the generation coming up in the world today. They're thoughtful, they're interesting, they want to learn, they desire deep conversation, and most of all they're welcoming to one another.
One student said, "I come back to KIVU because there's no other place like this in the world. I get a chance to be myself, leave all my baggage at home, and learn to love people who are truly happy with themselves."
And I couldn't think of a more honoring compliment.
Thanks for sending your kids to hang out here for two weeks. We are excited to see where these conversations go, and we're hopeful they will go out into the world and be leaders in their fields.
Andy Braner
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