Week 2, 2009

This week, I want to share part of a thank you letter I sent to Clint Bicknell, a youth pastor from Miamisburg, Ohio, who brought his youth group to Camp last week as a Mission Trip.

I shared a couple of things I noticed about his youth group, and then said:

“But, as I told you before, my favorite part of having your group here was the love that all of you showed for our kids. I saw your group cry and hurt for and with these kids. I saw them get excited over small victories. I heard them discussing how they were able to make a child smile – just by complimenting a hair-do or helping them catch a fish – and I saw real love as they processed the memory and looked forward to doing it again the next day.

“It made me feel wonderful – and sad at the same time – to see how much your kids didn’t want to leave my kids. And, now, even after the trip, I’m enjoying seeing the Mission Trip all over again on Facebook as your youth (and adults) post over 300 pictures of the trip! It’s obvious that their excitement is real. I can only hope and pray that they will be able to take those lessons and that excitement back home and see how God blesses service all throughout the year.”

He also sent me a thank you letter, which said, in part:

“I got to see one of our youth find a new appreciation for their parents and what they have at home.

“Another made the statement that this week has made them check their own heart as we taught the kids about doing the right thing in our actions and words.

“I was moved to tears as one of our youth talked about finally realizing the importance of what we were doing as they got to be a part of a group of 3rd and 4th graders being lead through the sinner’s prayer and realizing that they played a part in changing someone’s eternity.”

So, I wanted to share some of this with you. God is still using Camp to change lives. I don’t think that’s something we can take any credit for; I think it’s just more evidence that God is a Father to the fatherless, and He is absolutely crazy about these kids. So, when people come here to serve these kids, God blesses them. I love being part of that, I love watching that happen to others, and I’m thankful that you are part of making that happen again this year!