#3 Bandannas

Bandannas have transcended time and space in the history of America. They have been used for covering the faces of prairie hardened cowboys to keeping the counter clean in the kitchens of the trail house. But back then, red or blue were the only colors that you could find that trusty ol' bandanna available in. But now bandannas hold a whole new place in the YoungLife crowed as a social status symbol. What do I mean you ask, well let me explain.

First off, bandannas are now available from your local REI in more than 8 colors. And besides that, if you look hard enough you can find them in different patterns and designs. This makes Younglifers happy because now they can buy one to match each of there outdoorsy clothing choices or the color of their pocket bible. But mainly, bandannas are reserved for two different kinds of Younglifers: Serious Hikers and Ultimate Frisbee players. Don't get me wrong, all Younglifers love a good, worn out, stained, smelly bandanna to show how much they love not showering and the outdoors. But these two groups practically worship them.

The outdoors group loves them for there multiple uses and functionality. They can be used not only to keep the sweat out of your eyes, but also to cover up a wound or cut, to wipe down your Arcterix rain jacket, to filter water out of a clean stream or river or to wind up and snap a naked friend at a camp site. But also, for this group, the bandanna is crucial for letting people know that they are serious about the outdoors and hiking when they are not on the trail. Is the classroom, at the coffee shop or at church, these Younglifers love to wear them wrapped up or "dread-style" all the time. This let's them tell other people with out even speaking, "Hey, I am serious about the outdoors and like to show it even when I am wearing a coat and tie."

For the second group (Ultimate Players) bandannas are a way for them to not only keep the sweat and long, flowing hair out of their eyes, but also allows them to have at least two items of clothing on while playing. Most ultimate players in the southern states like to play shirtless and without shoes on. So bandannas allow for the "modest is hottest" rule to still amply apply.

All in all, bandannas are a great way for Younglifers to say, "Yeah I love being outside AND Jesus....a lot."

NOTE: At no time should one tell a Younglifer that bandannas are out of style or that it is not the proper situation to be wearing one. This will cause the Younglifer to second guess your loyalty to YoungLife and Christianity as a whole. If their wearing one causes a tiff with you, just tell them, "Great color bandanna!" This will allow for friendships to remain intact and a lack of conflict.

#2 Africa

Many missionaries and travel oriented Christians will tell you that Africa is one destination that they long for greatly in their heart. This is especially prevalent within the YoungLife community of leaders. We choose this destination because of our strong pull to help those who cannot help themselves and to spread the gospel to all the ears of the earth. This is one of the most noble and honorable reasons to do anything I suppose. But what about those of us who have never been, but yet, speak about it as though we have? Those who are this way will put pictures of Africa as their Facebook profile picture or will have a flag of a coutnry of the continent on their wall in their room. Also, they may have necklaces with a likeness of the continent hanging from it. In any case, it has become somewhat of a status symbol in some groups.

If you ever overhear a YoungLifer saying, "Yeah, the Sudan was amazing, I just feel like it is my home." Then you should immediately start asking questions about their trip to make them feel important and special. I mean, they don't want to feel as though they spent $5,000 for no reason, right? Asking questions that allow them to tell of their experiences will solidify their reason for going.

Other countries that are at the top of the list for missional work are China and India. Speaking with and talking about these two countries with YoungLifers is suitable only in certain situations. These include that either the YoungLifer has been to one of them, or, is about to go to one of them.

Also, with those who have been to Africa, you will most likely be able to tell whether they have been to Africa or not. All you have to do is check their Facebook profile picture. It will most likely be a picture of that person or persons surrounded by tons of small African children. It is so cute.

NOTE: Under no circumstances are you to ever say that there are 'already enough missionaries in Africa' to a person who is about to depart for Africa. This will crush their spirits and rattle their reasons for going. Although this might be good in the long run, seeing as how this might divert them to either China or India.

Here is a great link to some very cool African photography.

http://www.jeremycowart.com/client/221-africa

#1 Chacos

As YoungLife leaders we are called to present the Gospel and Jesus Christ to everyone we meet; high school kids or not. But what if you just don't have time for that deep and intimate one-on-one time with that certain person? Or what if that person is deaf? Well, this is why God created Chacos.

Not only do they have great support for hiking, climbing, backpacking, camping and spelunking, but they also tell people who are around you, "I want to look as much like Jesus as possible!" When wearing these outdoorsy sandals (this word 'sandal' does not accurately describe the awesomeness of chacos) there is no way that anyone can mistake you for anything other than a super-awesome outdoorsy Christian youth leader. I mean how could they. And if they do, they are probably emo or goth or something else that we usually don't associate ourselves with.

Now, if you are not familiar with chacos and find yourself in the general proximity of someone wearing them, there a few things you can do to instigate conversation. One correct conversation starter could be, "Hey, did you get those at (popular local outdoor store)?" Another might be, "I like those Z2's but I think the Z1 is the better model, especially for waterside hiking." Either one of these will probably allow for a nice conversation to start with any YoungLife leader.

NOTE: Do not ever, for any reason, bring up the brand name 'Teva' for any reason. The YoungLife leader will think you are uneducated in the outdoor ways and will shun you automatically from any social activity or bible study.