Posted August 11, 2016 by
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Internship My Wheaton Global and Experiential Learning
My Internship With Young Life Africa
This past summer I’ve had the incredible privilege of interning with Young Life Africa/Middle East. For those that don’t know, Young Life is an international ministry that works to introduce adolescents to Jesus and help them grow in their faith.
Going into college, I was confident that I wanted to be a part of high school ministry because it was in high school that I came to know Christ. One night as I walked through the Beamer Student Center on Wheaton's campus, I noticed a sign for a Young Life leader info meeting. All I knew about Young Life was that it went into high schools to share the gospel, and I knew I wanted to be a part of it. Since that initial Young Life leader info meeting during my freshman year at Wheaton College, I’ve been involved with Young Life as a volunteer leader and also as part-time staff in the Naperville/Aurora area.
My summer internship was in the Communications Department of Young Life Africa, and was made possible by an endowment from a Wheaton alumni family who are supporters of Young Life Africa. In my role, I consider myself a “professional storyteller,” as the main components of my internship involve writing, researching, and publishing all of the incredible stories that the Lord is writing in Africa.
This past month I was able to experience firsthand just a taste of all that He is doing abroad as I traveled to Africa and worked with Young Life in Kenya and Ethiopia. In both countries, I served at Young Life camps, participated in small-group Bible studies, and connected with local staff. One of my favorite things about Young Life in Africa is that it is totally led and run by members of the African communities there. It was a remarkable honor to come alongside them and participate in their ministries. While language was a significant barrier, this created new opportunities to connect and grow in ways I wouldn’t normally.
Because of this internship, I’m so aware that the Kingdom of God is growing globally. I was continuously inspired and encouraged by the faith of my new friends in Kenya and Ethiopia; they trust the Lord deeply, and know Him in real and personal ways. I pray that one day I can live as faithfully as they do. Now that I am home, I have had the chance to share their stories to an American audience, continuing to raise support for Young Life in Africa and the Middle East.
This internship and especially my time in Africa has forever changed my heart, and I cannot wait to return again to this amazing place.
Madison Touloukian '17 is a senior studying sociology and biblical and theological studies with a Gender Studies Certificate. Photo captions (from top): Madison with students from an elementary school in Agatulu, Kenya where Young Life is held; Madison washes Young Life leader Sara's feet in Debre Zeit, Ethiopia; Madison with Young Life Ethiopia staff members Teddi, Fereselam, and Hanna.