i have been working at a younglife camp since the beginning of june in hillsdale, michigan, at a camp called [michindoh]. i'm on the music team, as well as one of the four people who tell their life-story in front of all 250+ kids every week for an event known as lifesigns. it is the hope of those running camp that by us telling [our story] that the kids can relate and realize that [their story] is really just part of the [big story], and that they are not alone.
i've been completely taken aback by this experience.
as part of our assignment, we greet every single camper and leader as they get off the bus (there were 308 this week). we give each and every one of them a high five or a hug as they get off the bus and start at the camp welcome. i saw every single camper get off that bus and walk into a place where, for the first time, some of them had
- walls broken down
- the [truth] poured into them
- been told for the first time that someone LOVES them.
throughout this week, i've had several campers and leaders come up to me and tell me about their lives; about the emotional pain they feel, the sense of hopelessness that they have inside.
its hard.
it really is hard.
i remember being at that point of helplessness, where trapped between reality and madness there was only room for heartache. never in a million years could you have told me that, five years ago, in the pit of my own despair, would i ever have the opportunity to tell my [story].
if you are reading this, know that you are not alone.
there is a GOD out there who cares for you, who wants to know you.
its not about [my story] or [your story] or [anybody's story].
its about [HIS story]
and in his ending, you are the winner.
always winning,
-J
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