There’s something special about the closing staff debrief circle after a week of summer camp. I love it when we go out to the soccer field or sit on the front lawn as a summer staff in a big circle. It’s a beautiful scene with the fading orange sun getting low in the sky with cooler evening temperatures as we celebrate all the things our God has done during the week of camp, even as they are at the end of themselves by the end of the week. I’ve watched so many summer staff come alive as they hear about the power of God and answers to prayer.
This particular end of week gathering was one of those powerful endings. I’ve never seen so many staff stand up from our circle to share about the power of God and answers to prayer. One 4.12 student stood to share his story from the week about how he saw God work. *Jackson served as a junior counselor to a group of young middle school boys. He recounted the story of how he began to pray for one of his campers to begin a relationship with Jesus. As the days went by he said it was easy to become discouraged as this camper’s heart that had not changed.
Thursday night at campfire was the opportunity where all the campers were able to share how their lives have been changed. Many shared that they were assured of their relationship with Jesus or rededicated their lives to Christ. Several shared they began a relationship with Jesus during that week of camp.
During this campfire time, Jackson recounted how this camper tapped his shoulder and pulled him aside. To Jackson’s astonishment, this camper told Jackson that he had begun a relationship with Jesus too! They were able to talk through this more in detail and we praised God for such an amazing answer to prayer.
There is so much to be said about the power of prayer. I love hearing about how God amazingly answers theses prayers. It may not be how we expect, but our God always hears us and answers us in His way and in His timing. We get to pray expectantly and praise God for His great wisdom and power that is so far beyond us.
I am reminded of the words of the Psalmist in Psalm 126:3, “The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.” Praise God today for what He has done!
Upcoming events:
- 4.12 Leadership Training Program Interest meetings
- Mother Daughter Retreat (October 8-10)
- Father Son Retreat (November 12-14)
- Bring your own group to Joy El
