North
Carolina. July. Sometime in the mid-1980’s. Teenagers. So-so food. Guest speakers. Ceiling fans in the Tabernacle trying to make
a dent in the heat and humidity.
Bunk beds in old dorm rooms. The
Snack Shack. Seeing friends from across
the state that you hadn’t seen since last July.
New boys – how could we not mention the boys?
These are my memories
of youth camp in Colfax. I literally lived one mile from
my youth camp and just couldn’t bring myself to stay overnight at camp when I
could sleep in my own bed with air conditioning. But each morning I made my way to Shady Grove
Camp and stayed until late at night. My
parents must have either believed in youth camp or wanted to get rid of me for
a while. Either way, they made sure I
was there each summer. I wonder now if
they knew the impact it would have on my life?
Worship. Bible study.
Testimonies. Lives Changed. Youth Camp was where I first felt the
presence of the Holy Spirit. Where I
learned that God had a purpose for my life.
I still remember the first time I prayed over someone. It was at that altar in that old
tabernacle……at youth camp.
In the years
that followed I travelled with a group from my college and spent an entire
summer at youth camps throughout the southeast.
Every week it was a different camp.
Some were nicer than others but one thing remained the same – lives
of kids were changed at youth camp.
Why am I
thinking of camp? Because 30 years later
(wow I’m old!) I’m helping to plan a youth camp for 100 middle schoolers in
Guatemala. There will be
similarities. Bunk beds. So-so food.
Fun activities. But there will be
differences too. The music will be
better. Some of these kids have never
slept in a bed. Have never bathed in a
real shower. Most of them will be
thrilled with the 3 meals they will get because well, let’s just say, they
don’t eat 3 meals a day.
The one
thing I’m counting on is that like my youth camp in the 80’s – Jesus
will show up. I’m believing that
lives will be changed and kids will understand how much He loves them. I’m claiming that many of them will begin to
understand their purpose and walk in the gifts that are freely given through
the Holy Spirit. I have faith that they
will hear Jesus well and get connected to a team of Guatemalans from our
partner church that care about them and want to be a part of their lives.
The plans
are being made. The leaders are in
place. The team is preparing.
Now we just need the
funds. That’s where you come in. If you ever went to camp – if God did
something special for you – will you give to make it possible for a middle
schooler in Guatemala? I wish I
remembered the names of all of the youth counselors and speakers that God used
in my youth camp days. I’d love to tell
them how their investment changed my life.
You may not meet our kids in Guatemala this side of heaven, but you can
trust that God will use your gift to change their lives. You can give here.