We just finished the first week with campers and I feel like things went really well, but then again not really. I was blessed to have a cabin full of well behaved and knowledgeable girls who were willing to talk about things and truly wanted to learn more about God. I continued to pray that God would give me the words to say for them and I could tell He was filling my heart with things to say to the girls. I can’t tell you how thankful I am for my parents and the church and all I have learned through them and also my Bible study leaders; I could not have answered many of the girls’ questions without God placing each of you in my life. I knew the girls would be asking some tough questions but I didn’t think they would start with them on the first night. They kind of took Lauren (the other counselor in our cabin) and me by surprise. One girl asked about loving God and hating their parents and another asked many questions about heaven and what it will be like. I prayed my mind out and answered them as best I could. God truly does answer prayers. Later in the week we were talking with the girls about accepting Christ into their lives and one of them said that she was worried because she wasn’t sure Jesus was still in her life. She had prayed and accepted him into her life a few years ago, but felt like he wasn’t there anymore. My heart went out to her because as a young girl I wondered the same thing and felt the same way, as I’m sure many of us have. We tried to explain to her that once you accept the gift he offers us and you truly believe in him and live your life for him, he will never leave your side. Later in the night she was crying and I took her outside to talk one on one. Seeing her in tears and fearing that God left her broke my heart. I couldn’t help but cry with her. I told her that we just need to have faith and trust that he will never leave us like he says in the Bible. I told her that she just needs to look around at the mountains and the beautiful creation and she can see God there. Also, just the wonderful family he blessed her with is proof enough that God is with her. I also told her that she can tell if Christ is truly the center of her life by the way she treats others. She understood what I was telling her and we prayed and then went to bed. We had two girls accept Christ into their lives for the first time in our cabin and many others throughout the whole camp did as well.
Our guy counselors had trouble with a few of their boys this week. Three in particular were very disrespectful and fought with each other all the time. We tried to show grace and give them second chances but things started to get out of hand so we had to lay down the law and take away a few things from them. I tried talking with one of the boys about how he was treating everyone and that even though someone makes fun of them or hits them doesn’t mean they can do it back. I told him that our sin hurts God so much more than anyone can hurt us, but yet he forgives us and shows us love. He seemed like he was kind of listening, but I could tell there was still a wall up in his heart. It was hard to see the kids leave, especially the boys that I talked to a bit. I wanted them to understand how much God loves them and that He’s the only thing missing in their lives. I continue to pray for them each day and ask God to send someone that can continue to plant seeds in their lives.
We start Sr. High camp this coming week. I’m a little nervous just because I know how I was in high school and how many of the girls/boys were. Please pray for strength and grace as we begin our week and that we can show God’s love to each of them. Also, pray for the campers as they come and that their hearts will be softened and open to what we have to share with them. Thanks for your prayers and for taking the time to read thisJ Hope you all have a great week.
Romans 5:3-5
No comments:
Post a Comment