"Servicio: vive la diferencia" ("Service: live the difference") was the theme of the Global Youth Summit, Paraguay 2009. The event lasted 3 full days (July 10-12) with 730 participants and 45 delegates representing 33 countries.

Jose, Amaris, and I were sent to GYS to represent the young people from Church Communities International. We three are currently living in a small community in the Chaco, Paraguay, where we are volunteers under ASCIM (A Mennonite/indigenous cooperative). We want to share our thoughts with you.

Jose

For me the highlight of the event was just meeting young people from all over the world who are actively struggling and seeking what it means to follow Jesus. You could just walk up to anyone and find out what they were dealing with in their home country. I talked to one young man from Germany who together with some college students is trying to live in community. Most people agreed that the church as a whole has to experience revival and renewal. The Church has to be founded on Jesus and service to others.

Every morning and evening we all got together for worship. Each continent had a chance to bring something on themes such as: service, answering a calling, forgiveness, as well as the culture. The group from Africa had the whole enormous gym vibrating as we sang and danced to spirituals. In another moving moment, the group from North America asked forgiveness of all the other countries for where we Americans had been proud and indifferent to the rest of the world.

Amaris

We also had the chance to attend various workshops on different themes. In one, we heard from young women in the churches. In another, two young men shared about biking from the USA to Paraguay for the conference. One workshop I attended was given by a Colombian woman who works with Christian Peacemaker Teams. It was fascinating to hear of the challenges of living together as Christians of diverse backgrounds, in local communities that are in areas of conflict.

Talking afterwards with other young people, we discussed how service and working for peace is important, but that it is meaningless unless it begins in our own lives and families. Each one of us experiences anger, hatred, and frustration with other people which can often lead to violence.

Later on all the young people were given an hour to dream and share visions for the future, what the ideal church and world could look like and the problems we face within our own churches. My discussion group was an intercontinental mix. We just rejoiced in the diversity of people that had come together, and wished for it to happen more.

Bethany

One afternoon I joined a session with the delegates. These young people were sent specifically to represent their Mennonite Conference and country. The challenge put to us was "What are the concrete steps you can take to stay connected and support each other globally?" We divided into groups for discussion. "Why is GYS only every 6 years? Can't we meet by continent more often? How come so few came from the 3rd world countries? How can we know what young people in other countries are experiencing?" and questions like that. We wrote down our thoughts on large paper footprints and later shared them with everyone.

The final evening came and the auditorium was packed. The Latin American team led us in song and dance. Habia mucho alegria, ruido y ritmo. There was a lot of joy, noise, and rhythm. By the end we were all standing, hands linked, listening to 5 youth from 5 different continents praying for their people and nation. Together we sang a song composed for this occasion: "Vive la diferencia Sirve con obedencia" ("Live the difference Serve with obedience").

For the three of us participating, it was a privilege to be invited. We met many young people who are determined to return to their countries and actively serve. The conference made us aware of how many other young people are actively working to serve Jesus. It's hard to imagine anyone from the event returning home unchanged or not completely fired up to continue forward. We definitely want to stay in contact with the young people we met and are more than ready to participate the next time. It's not about what church you are from or being a Mennonite. It's about serving God and others. A young man from Tanzania summed it up saying, "When you return home from this conference, you young people have to follow in the footsteps of Jesus.  He came to serve and not to be served. "

 

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