So it's been two weeks since I have left my normal routine of sleep, eat, work, sleep, repeat, and moved down to Halifax, PA, for the summer to work as a camp counselor at Camp Hebron. Might I say that it has been an amazing move so far, and I'm so happy that I'm here. I wish I could tell you all the countless stories that I have of awesome things happening during orientation week, how the staff bonded and united under the name of Christ, how I've seen God at work, or the funny stories of camp things happening. It's been an amazing two weeks so far, so let me bring you up to speed with what's been happening...
Week 1: Staff Orientation Week
First off, let me preface this by saying that before I got to camp, I was somewhat unsure of myself. It had been two years since I had been a counselor, or even in leadership, responsible for kids. Did I still have what it takes? When my boss here initially contacted me, I didn't have some vision from heaven saying, "Go to camp, Ben!", and I felt a lot of turmoil inside. Will God bless me if I take this position? Camp has always been a refuge of safety and fun for me, so taking the position was a no-brainer for me, but was it what God wanted for my life? It was with all these thoughts that I hesitantly turned off of Camp Hebron Road onto the Camp driveway. As soon as I started driving down the driveway, though, I felt a peace flood through my veins. This is where I'm supposed to be, and God will use me this summer.
Orientation went by in a blur of fun and frantic awesomeness. I quickly made friends with most of the staff here and felt the staff bond pretty quickly and closely. One highlight of the week was the campout. Each year, as part of our training, we have a guys campout and a girls campout. This year was definitely one of the better ones. After gorging on hot dogs, chips, cookies, and carrots, and very manly things were discussed, we sat around and just got to know each other. I had already become fairly good friends with one of the camp pastors, Eric, and we had had several very deep and engrossing discussions by Tuesday, so we took this opportunity to have some deep conversations. It was around midnight that people started turning in for the night, but God had different plans for Eric and I. Our discussion had turned from discussing Scripture in Luke to just how hungry for God that I am. To tell you the truth, after I had graduated high school last year, I entered into a spiritually dry and stagnant time in my life, and I was definitely ready for change. It was with the power of the Holy Spirit that we left the campout and traveled through camp to one of the chapels. We had a 2-hour prayer service from midnight until 2 in the morning, just pouring out our hearts to God and seeking Him, asking Him to fill us up. He met us there. When someone is hungry for Him, he does not let them go hungry. I left that night feeling refreshed and ready for God to use me this summer. My sole desire is for Him to fill me up, overflowing His Spirit, and letting me be a vessel unto the campers that I have this summer.
Some of the highlights of the rest of the week include the footwashing ceremony, the parties in the laundromat, and hanging out and getting to know some of the staff that I will be working closely with this summer. The week ended, and I was soooo ready for my first batch of campers.
Week 2: Shalom
For those of you who aren't in the know, but should be in the know, Shalom is a camp for adults with mental disabilities. This year, our youngest camper was 20 and our oldest was 71, so that gives you a basic idea of what ages we had among the 50 campers. I worked this camp two years ago when I was on staff last, and enjoyed it immensely. It's definitely one of the hardest and most exhausting weeks though and patience begins to run thin at moments, but it's so rewarding at the end. Just being able to spend time with people like this and see the childlike innocence and faith they have is unreal.
This year, I had three of the most awesome campers ever. One was a veteran of Shalom camp, this being his 10th year. Another had been there a few times before. The third camper was enjoying his first year. Going into the week, I was nervous. You don't really know what to expect most of the time, and considering that I had a camper that had never been there before, I was especially nervous of how he would do.
It's always awesome watching God work through the staff and through the campers during this camp. Just relying solely on God's strength to get you through the week is a humbling experience alone, and I found myself time and time again going back to Scripture for the refilling and renewing that I needed.
Overall, Shalom was a great week, and I enjoyed having it once again. It definitely creates a soft spot in your heart for people with disabilities, and after my first year doing it two years ago, I found myself drawn to people with disabilities, especially Downsyndrome. If you haven't had a chance yet to work with people with disabilities, I'd strongly suggest you do. It's one of those experiences that will leave you changed, and one that you'll never forget.
This upcoming week I will be in Explorers camp. Explorers is a camp for 8-9 year olds. You can prayer for patience, strength, and energy as I will have a cabin of 8 8-9 year old boys...yeah, 'nuff said. Also, the cabin loop that I'm staying at is known for the presence of large wolf spiders residing in the cabin. If you know me, you know that I'm deathly terrified of spiders, and sure enough, going into this week, I'm scared that I'll come into contact with one. Also, pray for wisdom as I prepare devotions for this week. Pray that I'll be able to really have faith and listen to what God wants to speak through me this week.
I miss you all. You're all awesome.
Stay classy.
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