Most Valuable Puh-campers

This summer I'm working at an incredible Christian summer camp called Camp Beechpoint. This is a ministry that focuses on child evangelism. Some kids come from local areas and others, from the inner city neighborhoods of Chicago. Ranging from ages 8 to 14, these kids need Jesus. As a cabin leader, I want to give Him to them.

These are a few of the incredible kids I've met and discipled.

Kira

First, there's Kira--the girl in my cabin who I fell completely in love with. A beautiful eight-year-old with dark hair, dark eyes, a dark complexion, and a smile that seemed like a great reward given to the one who triggered it. Her presence was sweet and refreshing like vanilla icecream. Her voice was calming and soothing like doing a back float in Lake Doumont (at Camp Beechpoint). Underneath her meekness is an ocean of bravery and passion. Despite her undeniable fear of tubing on the lake, when the time came, she cautiously eased onto the intertube I was laying on and said with a soft, shaky voice, "I wanna ride with you, Miss Liz."

I felt joy and pride flow out of me as I belayed her up the scary height of the rock wall. At that moment, I wanted nothing more in life than to see her reach the very top--and she did. I gave her a great big hug as her feet hit the floor mat. That night, when devotions were over, Kira raised her hand to say yes to Jesus--to allow Him to use her life to tell others the Gospel. Lord, let it be done.

Morgan

Next, there's Morgan. My first impression of her was a bit sour. She subtly communicated that she didn't want to be at camp. She pretended like she couldn't understand what I was saying and bluntly stated, "You talk weird." Her comment poked me right in the pride. This pattern of miscommunication continued and I decided to boldly say, "Oh Morgan, we're gonna be best friends."

By the end of that first night, we were. She was always by my side and always asking to sit next to me at every meal time. She would surprise me by her willingness to help set the table or to encourage her cabin mate to drink all of her water.

Once, she was talking to one of the other girls about homesickness:

"You know, you're lucky. You get to see your parents all the time. My mom died when I was four and my dad's in the army."

On the last night, she told everyone the incredible story of how God healed her. She was born as a premature baby with a hole in her heart. The doctors determined that she needed surgery, but didn't proceed without a prayer spoken by a pastor. Morgan was healed thanks to a faithful man of God, skillful surgeons, and God's anointing on both.

I'm so convinced that girl has a beautiful destiny.

Shane

Then, there's Shane. The boy that I first saw standing by himself under an occupied bird house. He was flapping his arms frantically and making bird noises... actually it was more like the sound that Mario makes when he's fighting Bowser (Wah! Wah! Wah!). Naturally, I stopped and then stared and then started laughing and then started doing the same thing. He noticed my appreciation and gave me a big, radiant smile.

Instant friends.

I learned his name from his cabin mates shouting for him to hurry up and leave the birds alone. He walked away smiling at me. We would always do the strange bird calls to each other whenever we randomly crossed paths during the day.

The next evening at fireside, like always, campers were invited to stay behind and talk with their cabin leader if they have something on their heart. I was with my girls planning to walk them back to our cabin and leave my co-leader there to talk with campers. Before I could lift myself from the log, I heard Shane say, "Hey, lady! Can you come talk to me?"

I paused a bit, thinking about my girls, but then decided to ask my co to take care of them--I was wanted by a young man with a chewed up name tag hanging from his neck. I walked across thinking that he just wanted some attention from me. Once we sat down beside each other, he began to say things I wasn't expecting to hear:

"Ummmm... I... I'm really having a hard time doing what God wants me to do. Like today I told so-and-so that I hate him, but I didn't really mean it and I feel bad now."

and things like:

"When everyone was throwing paper planes today, I tripped so-and-so, but.... I know that's not right and.... I just... wanna do the right thing."

"...but I hate him. He's always mean to me... and to everybody in the cabin..."

"I come from a hard family... my bothers say stuff to me all the time."

"My cabin leaders said I have one more strike... and... and if I mess up again, I might get kicked out.... I don't wanna get kicked out..."

and then something that just pierced me:

"He called me fattie and a retard and he said I can't run or throw a ball or catch a ball... and... I wanna be an NFL player when I grow up."

He kept pouring himself out for about thirty minutes and then asked if we could pray. I agreed and suggested that he pray after me. He agreed.

I said my prayer holding back emotions and tears. And then... he started praying.

"Jesus, ummmm.... I just need you to help me. I want you to come in and change me, please...
I don't wanna be like my brothers, Jesus...."

He ended his prayer with "And, Jesus. It's been a really good Fourth of July."

I couldn't help it. I just let my tears come out as his head was bowed while lifting up one of the most beautiful and genuine prayers I've ever heard.

I told him that he was a king. He could hardly believe me.