A Man With A Vision
Nicaragua - March 21, 2006
I happened to be taking a small mid-day siesta two days ago in one of our favorite hostels to date in Granada, Nicaragua and noticed young man meandering around as if he was looking for something important. He walked into the room I was in and sat down and we began to chit chat about life and travel. After a few minutes of talking with Jacob and having the opportunity to share a bit of the vision for this trip (and discovering that we had both visited L'Abri in Switzerland recently), he looked at me and said "You're not going to believe this, but I left this hostel just 10 minutes ago but when I got about 2 blocks away, I felt God was telling me to turn around and come back here. I think it was to meet you."
Jacob is a very bright 25-year-old on his second trip around the world with his 16-year-old brother. From his travels and his passion for global missions, Jacob has been able to see the huge void that exists for traveling Christians around the globe. "It's a huge need to fill that void," he said "because the majority of those Christians that are traveling are the ones with hearts for missions and with a global mindset." It's detrimental to not have a network for them. He commented "Did you know at the moment there are only three Christian hostels in the world?!" That was a staggering statistic to hear, especially when taking into account the millions of travelers per year and the exponential influence a Christian hostel network could have around the globe. This is virgin land with much opportunity.
Jacob's vision is a big one. He desires to develop a global Christian hostel association (think the International Hostel Network meets the network/opportunities of YWAM with the sensitivity of art/culture of L'Abri) that would be an open door to all. Jacob hopes to start his first Christian hostel in Buenos Aires, Argentina in the next few years. It would be a place for people of all walks of life, to rest in a clean, modern room, converse (or debate) over a great cup of coffee, chill out in the swag library complete with great books, music and DVDs, jump online on the Internet cafe, and participate in a topical discussion in the evenings. The hostel would also be a great hub for those desiring to participate in a community or mission projects or looking to get plugged into a local church.
If the association were to grow to a global scale it would have exponential future impact in the lives it would impact and inspire, especially when considering the millions of future leaders with a heart for travel and missions. Each Christian hostel would also give local churches in the area an immediate opportunity to be involved actively in global missions. As a result, an incredible global network could be developed collectively within the hostels and the churches to spread the gospel. A vision of this magnitude would play a huge part of changing and stretching paradigms. I believe there are many others out there (possibly even reading this) that share a very similar vision or can relate firsthand to what Jacob's passion is. If so, please drop us a line. We would love to be able to do what we can to connect individuals, businesses, visionaries and investors to see this come to fruition.
Matthew said...Hey guys. Where are you? I hope you're safe. Lee, I got your email bro. Thank you for that. It was awesome. Know that we pray for you both. I've been so busy with deadlines that I have done much other than write, sleeep, spend "quality" time with Jess and write some more. It's been rough really. A bunch of amazing things are happening with my writing and speaking, cant't wait to tell you guys all about it. Love you guys. his kingdom come... Matthew
Ryan said...Your website is at the top of my favorites list! I look forward to each new picture and comment posted. You guys are doing work that many of us only dream about. Thanks for giving the world a glimpse of God at work. Your work reminds me of this simple quote that is so profound... "Love that goes upward is worship; love that goes outward is affection; love that stoops is grace." - Donald Barnhouse (bible scholar) Continue in the same gracious attitude toward others that Jesus had! You're changing the world one life, one community... one country at a time. His Kingdon breaks through even today... Ryan PS. Lee... I sent Trent S. an e-mail with the website... hope you hear from him too.
Ryan said...I'm not sure why a hostel needs to be a Christian hostel? If the function of a hostel is to sell accomodation at an affordable rate to travelling customers, wouldn't it be a bad business practice to sell it as a Christian hostel and ward off agnostics, muslims, hindus, etc? Also, if you want to spread a warm loving environment why not to all faiths in the world. Rather than have a scenario where your faith will be challenged by the Christian faith, have a place where you will feel comfortable chatting with a person who cares about humanity. Please don't discount all of the other people in the world. We just want a warm bed to stay in, and some friendly faces to talk to.
Vanessa said...I think this idea is a good one but as evidenced with Ryan's comments, would need some thought and time to lay out a viable strategy. You mentioned "Each Christian hostel would also give local churches in the area an immediate opportunity to be involved actively in global missions". -Churches, like most humanitarian organizations, are usually always the ones in need of help, so i would assume if travellers were Christian or globally minded in wanting to make a difference, they would be the ones reaching out to help out with whatever long-term goals these local churches have, no? Just a thought. I do find this idea an interesting one. I do think as a Christian, we should raise the standard for anything we do- that includes business and so it would follow with the hostel business. Perhaps doing a bit of research to figure out what is currently being done would help as well--for example, did you know every YWAM base has lodging available to travellers, as well as food, community and ministry outlets travellers can participate in? They are also located in every corner of the earth, from Papau New Guinea to NYC. BTW-- i'd love to see more links to organizations you're working with(if they have websites! That would help to promote and bring awareness to these ministries/organizations as well, making it easy for me and others to learn more about them.
larisa said...thank you, lee. i almost cried... youre an amazing person, and i hope all is going well.
Monie said...Jacob's vision is awesome--and I hope God will expand and bless it. Miss you guys and pray for you often.