By Tori Marshall, Food Service Coordinator
Ephesians 2:10 NIV
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Have you ever thought “I can’t do this, how could God ever use me, I’m not special” or “I’m not good enough, smart enough or spiritual enough to make a difference”?
Yeah, me too! Before I worked at Joy El, a Christian camp in Pennsylvania, full time I worked as a senior counselor during the summer. I liked working with the younger elementary kids because I felt like I could make a difference and had something to offer. On the other hand, the middle school and high school students were intimidating to me. I couldn’t imagine what God could do through me with these students. Some of the campers seemed to be more spiritually mature than me and others appeared to be unreachable.
I was assigned to one week of Jumpstart (middle school students) and on my last week was a senior counselor for Leadership Experience (high school students). I was incredibly nervous and thought, “What do I have to offer? What could I say to help them?”
That week was a great week! I saw God do so much. I ended up mentoring one of the girls from my cabin in the 4.12 Leadership Training program and still keep in touch with her.
The most incredible change I saw that week at Joy El, a Christian camp in PA, was in a camper, Brittany*. She wasn’t close to the other groups of girls in our cabin and right from the start was a loner. The first night we connected by spending time talking and playing games. She was very hungry for Jesus and was unhappy with what she was doing in her life. She had a hard home life and was involved in some unhealthy addictions. Over the next couple days she developed a thirst for God’s word and what it could mean for her.
On Wednesday the Gospel was presented in chapel and we had a time of worship and adoration afterwards. During the adoration activities one of my girls came and told me that Brittany was crying in the lobby. I went out and she was in tears, breaking down about what she had done in her life and why God would want her. She told me that she was so broken that in the past year she had tried to commit suicide. Gods hand was on her that night and she could see it now. She accepted Christ that evening and was so excited to go home and tell others.
I will be honest, I never knew what to say, I don’t think I ever shared anything very profound. All I did was to be there and to love her. As useless as that seemed to me God used that. Don’t be afraid to take that opportunity you feel unprepared for! God use us as we are we just need to step out willingly with a humble heart. He chose you! He called you! Do not be afraid; He promises to guide you and hold you.
Isaiah 41:9-10
I took you from the ends of the earth,
from its farthest corners I called you.
I said, ‘You are my servant’;
I have chosen you and have not rejected you.
10 So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
*Name has been changed
Join us for a Christian Retreat this fall! Start Here
- Father-Son
- Momentum Retreats (Middle and High School)
- Men’s Retreat
- Bible Adventure weekend (2-6th Grade)
Joy El Camps and Retreats is a Christian Camp in PA, we offer Christian camps and retreats year-round in PA and we are a retreat center in Pennsylvania since 1974. Our focus on making disciples is seen in Bible Adventure and the 4.12 Leadership Training Program
