My second time returning from Herald Gospel Camp (HGC)...and it happens again...I'm speechless. When people ask me how camp was I really don't know what to say. Umm...God was amazing? There's so much that I want to say...so much racing through my mind that, in the end, all I can do is simply stand in awe of what He's done.
I wish we had more time at camp; there were so many times at camp when my co-counselor Mat and I were just praising God for how He was working at HGC, but we didn't have the time or strength to journal it.
But...wow...God sure showed me; He blew my doubts away. When camp first started I was discouraged by the group of campers that I got. 9 boys...how do I connect with them? They're so easily distracted! They don't seem like they want to be here. They didn't seem very open to the Gospel, and didn't seem to care whether or not God had any role in their lives.
But as the week went on, God really worked in the group. He demolished walls! Our small group was named Paul, and throughout the week as they learned about Paul, it was like watching Saul's conversion right in front of me. Their eyes were opened to who God really was; they saw what being a Christian was really about...not about going to church and reading the Bible...but about our responses to Jesus' love. Then they started asking questions, wondering where God was in their lives, and seeing them clapping, raising their hands to God and dancing during praise time; it was all so inspiring. For some campers to find out that God was there for them through their lonliness, mistakes, and trials was the assurance that they yearned for and needed.
Through my one-on-one's with the campers God also opened my eyes to His love for them. I felt how precious each boy was to Him; at times when my patience would run low I saw how Jesus would just chuckle appreciatively at their comments because He created each one and loves them as they are. And despite all the spiritual warfare...obstacles, setbacks, discouraging moments...I was reminded that God is my provider and source of strength. Like Nehemiah, we are called to build His kingdom all the while having a sword at our side ready to fight off attacks.
Please pray for the campers because now that camp's over the real battle begins. Many campers return to non-Christian homes where they are not allowed to attend church and have little or no interaction with other believers. Also, some campers have started going to church for the first time. Counselors are trying hard to keep in contact with campers though AIM, email, and facebook. God is still working - it's been encouraging to talk to campers and hear that they are reading and studying the Bible and that their prayer lives are developing. It's amazing to see the fruits of the Spirit - makes me think "Yeah that's what God does, it's what HGC is all about."
"I will bring praise, I will bring praise. No weapon formed against me shall remain. I will rejoice, I will declare, God is my victory and He is here!" - Desert Song, Hillsong
