This summer, God took me on two very cool, but very different adventures. The first was my trip to Kenya, where I got to unplug and travel half way across the world with 27 of my fellow teaching students to learn about the Maasai Community. (To read more about that adventure check out my post here.)
Then a month later, He called me to travel again. This time, not across the ocean, but 5 hours north, to a camp in Port Sydney, Ontario. Little did I know that this was going to be one of the most difficult (but rewarding) tasks of my life. After having just travelled halfway across the world without any issues, I figured, 5 hours from home? No big. I've got this...
...Then I got there.
Now, I'm a fan of being obedient to God, don't get me wrong...But when He told me to go to camp, all I could think of was: "But God, what about all of my plans?" My whining didn't get me anywhere though, He remained steadfast in His answer, and I'm so glad that He did. As I neared the date to head to camp, I began to grow more and more anxious about leaving everything I knew to go into an environment that I had never been in before, with a bunch of strangers I had never met. In theory I knew there were going to be really cool experiences and friendship made. The security in knowing that wasn't sinking in, however, and I began to dread going to Camp. Even when I left home to drive to camp, I ended up avoiding going there and driving about 30 minutes past the camp, just trying to convince myself to turn around and arrive at camp. When I finally turned around and headed in the direction of camp, I managed to get lost in the camp and went to the site they have for younger campers, and had to go and find someone to help me with directions. Luckily, I managed to find the only person I remotely knew at camp, as she had interviewed me over the phone, and she helped me head to the right area of camp.
After that, began the awkward walk up to the group of happy staff being reunited, while being the one person who doesn't know anyone there. Luckily, this was a welcoming bunch, and they helped me to really feel comfortable those first new days, as I began to find out just what living at camp was all about. Let me tell you, it is unlike any other community I have ever been a part of. While I was at camp, over the summer God met me in really high times, and in really low times, taught me some awesome lessons about myself, and pointed out some areas where I still need grow in. He met me in silliness, sadness, and seriousness. He taught me so much more about worship and worship leading in this one summer, than I've learned in my 22 years of life. He taught me to look past the fronts that people present us with, and to look deep to the roots. He taught me how to love, when all I wanted to do was scream and run away. But most importantly He taught me about how much I need Him, and that only when I turn to Him will I find truth, peace, and purpose.
I wish I could say this summer was a breeze, and that camp life came super naturally to me. But if I said that, I would be lying. This summer was hard. I struggled often, and more times than I care to admit, I counted down how many days I had left there. But I also learned that sometimes when you're vulnerable with your struggles, people will rise up and speak life and truth for you, when you don't think you have the strength too. They will lend you a shoulder to cry on, until you're all cried out and ready to move past whatever is going on. They will encourage you, with little notes, and offhand remarks about how well you're doing. They will take the time to pray with you. Most of all, they will love you, even when you don't feel very loveable at all. I think that perhaps this summer, learning to be vulnerable, and allowing others and God to support me through the struggle, was a large part of why I was called to be the Worship Coordinator at a camp 5 hours away from home, completely removed from the safe communities, and networks I'm a part of. And if learning to rely on God was the only reason He had sent me to camp, it would be reason enough. Of course, that wasn't the only reason He sent me. He also provided me with great new friendships and experiences that helped to shape my summer, as well as to build more character in me, and to add to the woman I already was!
