We Didn’t Want to Leave Camp
Three weeks living out of a minivan traveling the western half of America sounded fun when we started. Our trip was good in so many ways, but we are still a bit numb from the whir of the tires carrying us mile after mile all the way from East Texas to the Washington peninsula and back again.
When we finally got to Southern Idaho, we hugged our family and traveled up to the South Hills to help the students of Aletheia Christian College (formally Albion Christian College) with a children’s camp. I helped Sunshine and Sweet Pea out of the van while Dylan and Bug ran into the lodge. Whoops and hollers echoed into the parking lot. A reunion of friends.
Tucked away for four days from stores, cell phone service, and electricity. Lights powered by a generator. Hiking down the hill to the bathroom. And hiking up mountains to find hidden snow banks among the pine trees. Glorious views and lovely people.
I haven’t had the role of camp counselor in over a decade, yet it was easy for me to love these beautiful girls. I played with them, washed dishes with them, talked with them, and prayed with them. What a blessing!
I can’t share all that happened, because it is not my story to tell, but God is working in the lives of these precious children. I am honored to have a small part in that work. One girl told me I had to be her counselor next year or she wasn’t coming. (No pressure on me or anything.)
We weren’t exactly sure what our role at the camp would be. We questioned our hasty decision to go. Now we know the seemingly endless hours on the road were worth every bump.
Great post Renae. I love those pictures. Made me want to climb into them. I live in Michigan and our upper peninsula looks like your pictures.
That is such a rewarding experience to go where you went, but most important, to fill those girls lives with the love and encouragment that can only come from Jesus Christ.
It is what is missing in America today. They are the future, and we are not taking the time to invest ourselves, and extend the love of God to them
Thank you Renae for your commitment and concern.
God bless you and all you do.
Brian
Brian,
Thank you. We do have work to do if our nation is to survive. It’s work we can’t always see, but it is the most important.
What beautiful scenery there! But nothing is as beautiful as children’s hearts being nurtured with the love of Jesus!!
MooBeeMa,
I missed the most magnificent views, because I forgot my camera on our hike. It’s probably just as well, since we got slightly lost and ended up carrying some of the littlest ones.
But yes, you are right, the most beautiful thing is the hope of love tucked away in the hearts of all who were there.
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