Gem Lake Wilderness Camp Story

Usually, I can look back and have one major highlight of the summer, but not this year. Instead, I see a summer packed with small moments where God was so clearly at work. This year, more than probably any other, I felt like the campers were hungry for God and his truth. There were so many good questions asked during mini-church, one-on-ones, and whatever else we were doing on any given day. These questions ranged from simple things about the nature of God to complex and heavy questions about death and justice. One of my one-on-one partners in particular stands out to me for the kinds of questions she asked. She was very thoughtful and had such a big heart for people, especially for her age, but her upbringing had taught her that love meant never disagreeing with anyone. Unsurprisingly, her questions revolved mostly around God’s love, justice, and mercy, which was a really good springboard into a conversation about how love sometimes means correcting others when they go astray, and that there really is a way that God wants people to live. Through our conversation, though, I also found myself being challenged and reminded that I don’t have all the answers, and that others’ perspectives can impact me just as much as I impact them. This camper’s desire to love others was a good reminder to me from that week on into the rest of the summer. I don’t know what kind of impact that interaction had on her as she headed back to the city, but I can trust that God will keep watering the seeds that were planted at camp, and I know I can trust that he will keep reminding me of who he wants me to become.