God's Strength

This week we counseled colt campers from Monday to Thursday. I was glad it was a shorter week because the senior high camp had been a longer one. I had eleven 7-10 year olds in my cabin. They were a lot of fun to have, but also it was hard to get them to listen and obey. I had to repeat myself several times before they knew what was going on and they continuously asked what we were doing even after telling them 5 minutes before. My patience was tested and I wouldn’t say I failed, but I came pretty close. My physical strength was stretched greatly this week as well, but with God’s faithful help I made it through still loving each of the girls in my cabin. It was tough loving them with God’s love when I was annoyed with their questions and disobedience, but as I thought about it, that’s how we are with God. We ask Him tons of questions and disobey Him every day but He still loves us just the same. How can I do any less for each child He places in my path?

It was also tough because I wasn’t sure how to present the gospel to them because a lot of them had never heard of God, and the fact that they are younger and don’t know bigger words makes it complicated. I did my best to explain things to them, but they really didn’t seem to be interested. By the end of the week I felt like I had not done much to help the girls spiritually, but I know that they were able to hear to gospel and that’s what matters. We were able to teach them songs about God and how much He loves us and what He did for us and as they sing them maybe they will question what the songs mean and hunger for more.

Friday (the 24^th) we were able to go canoeing and kayaking as a group of counselors. It was so much fun. We went across the bay/ocean to a cove and it took us about an hour to get there. We then walked to see a waterfall. It was beautiful. The water was super cold and we had to cross the river and climb up some rocks to get a good view of the waterfall, but it was well worth the trouble. I’m always in awe of God’s creation and how beautiful it all is. It makes me think of how amazing heaven is going to be. On our way back we ran into a little problem, the wind was picking up and the waves were getting too big to canoe back. We had to call the camp to have the boat pick us up and take the canoes in the boat. We left the kayaks there and went to get them Saturday morning. I was fortunate to be able to go with the group that went back to get the kayaks and kayak back to camp. It was a lot of work but it was so much fun.

This next week I will be on work staff, just helping get food ready and cleaning up bath houses and other things. I’m glad that I am on work staff because I am getting very tired physically and spiritually working with kids three weeks in a row. I enjoy cleaning things and helping out behind the sense, so it shouldn’t be hard for me to enjoy myself even though I won’t be with kids and everyone else.

I read the hymn How Great Thou Art this morning and read the verse: When through the woods and forest glades I wander and hear the birds sing sweetly in the tree. When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur, and hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze, How great thou art!! I love that song so much, and reading that verse just reminded me of what I’ve been seeing and hearing this whole summer. I also read Acts 13:47, “I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.” God has called me here to Alaska to be a light for these kids (Gentiles) who have not heard the truth or have not grown in truth they have already heard. We are spreading the word one child at a time to affect the nations.

We too may doubt our own abilities and potential. But let us never doubt what God can do with us when we trust and obey Him.