Capernaum Disney Club!

     God has moved in incredible ways the last few years, one of which is through Young Life Capernaum. Young Life Capernaum is ministry for those with disabilities. This is only its second year here in Northwest Arkansas, and I have truly had the honor to be a part of it. Last week we had the privilege of kicking off the semester with our first Disney-themed club!

     It was so much fun to dress up as our favorite Disney character (I was Tinkerbell) and sing, dance, laugh, and enjoy life with our Capernaum friends! We had eleven Capernaum kids and six buddies. Buddies are “typical” kids that come and help make club super fun for our friends with disabilities.

     We started club with Jonathan, another Capernaum leader, giving a short talk on Mark 2. Jesus heals a paralyzed man whose friends go through great efforts to get him to the feet of Jesus. Jonathan then spoke about how we, as Young Life Leaders, are here to help bring our Capernaum friends to the feet of Jesus and how Jesus is capable of healing not only our outward disabilities, but also the disability we each have inside of us, Sin.

     From there, we sang a few Disney songs and then went outside to play one of Capernaum’s favorite games: Freeze Dance!  It brought such joy to my heart to dance and laugh with our Capernaum friends and to see the joy on their faces.
     
     Every time I get to hang out with my Capernaum friends, God blesses me even more than I could ever hope to bless them. Whether it’s through their giving, loving spirits or their hilarious innocence, they truly bring to life Psalm 139, “I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” These students were not a mistake. They were made just right. And as Capernaum leaders our desire is to speak that truth to our friends; the truth that Jesus loves them just as they are. And so do we. 

     Young Life Capernaum is such a beautiful picture of God’s unconditional love, and it proves that we can approach the throne of God just as we are. We don’t need special gifts or abilities. We don’t have to look, talk, or even walk a certain way. We only need to accept the love the God freely gives us. I have never been more certain of how big God’s love for us is than when I am hanging out with my Capernaum friends. 

     We are so blessed that God allows us to be a part of what He is doing for students with disabilities in Northwest Arkansas!

Kaitlyn Cross

Young Life Capernaum Team Leader