The Website of Miah and Michelle Collins

Michelle and I are moving into the second phase of the year now. On Wednesday we sent off our 2009 J-Life teams around the country (and sub-Saharan Africa) to start their ministry. During our final dinner with the guys we got to hear what the past four months has meant in their lives. I reminded me that while the ministry training we do is great, it is at the personal level where the most significant changes take place. I was scribbling down what some of the guys were saying so that I could share them with you all on this website.

Here are what a few of them said:

Vusi (from Harare, Zimbabwe) talked about how all his relationships had become manipulative, and that he was always focused on what he could get from other people. On J-Life God showed him the value of people, and living in a community based on service and love changed his outlook on relationships.

Chris spoke about how being the eldest son in a well-off Indian family, he had everything he ever needed or wanted. The training taught him that outside his little world there are so many people with needs that he had never experienced. Living in a township (slum) for a week and going through our African Realities week has changed his life.

Justin (from Nairobi, Kenya) had been told before that youth ministry is a stepping stone to “real ministry”. Over the four months God has confirmed that Justin’s true passion is for the young people of Kenya and that this is his calling rather than just a stepping stone. 

Sifiso (from Gauteng, South Africa) said that this has changed the direction of his life. He has new priorities and new desires for the future that go beyond getting a degree and making money. He is interested in a career in politics in the future.

Adam (from Indiana, USA) talked about how God has given him a passion for Scripture and a passion for Africa.

At J-Life we believe that the life of Jesus of Nazareth has the power to change young people and to impact Africa. I hope and pray that some of these guys will be central to what God is wanting to do here in the future! I also pray that the overflowing passion for God and for the youth of Africa would never dry out!

Michelle and I are getting involved in the youth ministry at our church and also planning for the rest of the year which no doubt is going to involve a lot of traveling. We are hoping to be in Namibia in June where we may end up for 4 months next year to help get their J-Life training center off the ground. You can pray that our trip there next month would really help us to know if that is where God wants us next year.

Of course, South Africa is an exciting place to be right now. We certainly wouldn’t mind visitors,and if you were interested in being around for the World Cup next year we could certainly work something out for you.