Thursday night after campfire I was sitting by the fire enjoying its light. One of the counselors brings his cabin in to have devotions in front of the fire. I was concerned at first. This is a cabin we’ve had a lot of struggles with. The campers just didn’t want to get along this week. At chapel on Thursday we were holding candles and they were trying to drip hot wax on each other and light papers on fire. I could just see them trying to play with the fire during devotions so I stuck around to listen.
It began with a camper testimony followed by a second one. During the second one, the camper began to cry. He was apologizing to his fellow cabin mates and saying that he just wanted friends. One boy pipes up, “we want to be your friends” and he came to hug the crying camper. All at once the others chimed in their agreement and huddled down together around the crying camper. Within a couple of minutes the majority of the cabin of boys was crying, their bodies wracked with tears as they shared their struggles with each other. Seven of the eight boys told stories of abandonment by fathers.
After each person shared, someone would start praying. With no prompting from their counselor, they would just pray for each other. There were hugs, paper towels handed out to mop up the tears and many apologies from campers. I was in tears as I watched how the Lord drew in His children to Himself. It was encouraging to see a cabin that had caused so much stress and frustration join together and support one another.
Our God is an awesome God!
2 comments:
That was a great joy to see the cabin doing that. Despite the fact that I came in a little after it started, I was amazed to see the campers coming forth and releasing their feelings.
What a great opportunity to be a part of God's work in the life of kids!
Hope you're doing well, Holly!
Blessings,
Kim
Post a Comment