Over the week of March 10th-14th, over 70 college students, our Teen Rock Ministry, and countless others volunteered at the St. John's Spring Break Day Camp at Iglesia Ebenezer Church in St. John's. What started on a cold, rainy, Monday with about 20 campers, grew to over 100 kids by mid-week. The Lord did incredible things in the lives of campers, volunteers, families, and beyond. Here's a few stories from camp:
Caitlin Sammons
When I first heard about what was going on over in St. John's during Spring Break, I immediately thought, "Oh, that isn't for me." I had already made plans to go to the beach with my roommates, but God had other plans. I couldn't get the idea of St. John's Spring Break out of my head and finally I recognized that God was calling me to go and help.
The whole situation with Spring Break was out of my comfort zone but God was calling me outside of my bubble and pushing me into situations where he needed me. I was nervous about going into the house and into the community, not knowing exactly what the plan was or exactly what skills I was going to contribute. I prayed that God would take away any hesitations I had, and I stepped into Spring Break running full speed ahead. I met all of the girls who I would be living with for the week, and we immediately became friends. The first day of camp went very smoothly, and I loved connecting with the kids. I've always been good with kids, so once I actually got in the room with the kids, all of my nerves went away. Also, I am a mentor for a 6th grade girl at Webb Middle School and I invited her to come all week. She is extremely shy and I only recently started mentoring her, so we got to bond and I got to watch her come out of her shell. All of the volunteers and other kids were so nice to her, and seeing her blossom and grow was great for me to see.
On the second day of camp, another volunteer approached me, remembering that I am fluent in sign language. There was a little 6 year old girl named Kate who came to the camp and who was profoundly deaf. All of my nerves came back again as I realized immediately that this was the exact reason I was here for Spring Break - I was the only person in the room that could communicate with her. The moment I started to sign to her, her eyes lit up; she was so excited to have someone who could talk to her. She began to warm up to me, and before I knew it, both of our hands were moving full speed. I got to spend so much one-on-one time with her all week and I really came to know her. The way she would run into the camp every day, search for me, and then jump on me filled my heart with so much happiness! I've never received hugs so big and sincere. Everyday, she opened up more and more and she started to ask me more and more questions. At the same time that I was so thrilled to use my signing skills and connect with this little girl, I also felt a huge responsibility. Again, I was the only person in the room that could communicate with her, which made it my job to make sure she understood the stories and heard the message about Jesus. I prayed everyday that God would be in my hands, and that I was able to shower her in Christ's love.
I was also so impressed by the other volunteers; they were so sweet to her. I'm sure that most people shy away from her because she is different, but everyone was so open to her. This just goes to show you that there is only one language of love. Nobody else new sign language, but everybody understands a smile, a hug, or a high five. Nobody looked at her inability to hear as a reason to stay away from her; if anything, people made more of an effort to love on her. She always told me how happy she was, and I am so glad that I was able to make this week so special for her. What she probably doesn't know is that she actually made my week special and changed my life as well.
Clay Davis
There is one experience from the week that really sticks out in my mind. It may not seem like much, but it really made a significant impression on me.
During the last day of camp there was an Easter egg hunt set up for the kids. As the kids were set loose to go and hunt for eggs it gave us counselors a few minutes to relax and watch. The kids raced around grabbing plastic eggs and eating the candy inside of them. As I sat and watched I heard one the kids named Jose call my name. I turned to find him offering me an egg with a big smile on his face. It's hard for me to describe, but I felt so much love and kindness from this eight year old boy in that moment. During a time that he could have spent storing up candy for himself he decided to stop and share with me. I told Jose thank you and gave him a hug. I think God was showing me something in that moment. I think He was showing me how beautiful and simple love can look. Today, the egg sits on my desk at home as a reminder of the importance of simple acts of love and kindness.
Lindsey Craig
On the last day as everyone was about to leave around 2:30ish, one of my favorite friends Lisa(a camper) was walking down the stairs and I stopped her. I asked her if she was going to the party at church that night with her family and she said no. I then asked her why not and she told me that she and her mother were going to visit her father in Jail. My heart sunk. But she smiled, I now only understand why she smiled and this was because that's all she knew to do. That's the only way she got by, was to smile. I then asked her if she knew how beautiful she truly is, and she looked at me in a way I couldn't explain, and answered no. I looked her in the eyes and said you are beautiful, you want to know how I know this? And I continued saying number one because God made everyone of His children beautiful, and two because I am looking at your face right now, and it's AMAZING. I made her pinky promise she would always remember why she is so beautiful. I can't stand that I am sitting at home now in my house with awesome things when there are kids out there that need just to be called beautiful because they have never been called it before. I hate that everyday after camp and now that camp is over... those kids are at their homes and environments where love may not be... I cannot even fathom it. BUT... I LOVE THAT THIS OPPURTUNITY OPENED MY EYES TO THE FACT THAT I CAN'T SIT ON MY BOTTOM ANYMORE! I CAN'T BE CONTENT WITH "MY RICHES" WHEN "MY RICHES" TRULY LIE IN LIFTING UP THOSE WHO HAVE NOTHING!...And that that one week is not just a week for me, it's something I am investing in and I can't wait to see what happens! whew!
Oh!! One more!! So do you guys remember those CRAZY kids that were apart of one big family? Beto and Edwardo? Especially those two toots, they were OFF the wall! Brett and Caryn know what I'm talking about. Lol, and many others. Well~ I had just some precious time with Edwardo when Eli was preaching about Jesus. I couldn't believe it, but I asked Edwardo to come sit on my lap, and he did. He began to sqirm around of course, but then I just grabbed his hand and started to show him some affection. I couldn't believe how much he settled down, and then when I took my hand away, and he grabbed it back. Suddenly, everything I would do to him, he would do back to me. Like i was just softly brushing his arm, and he was doing that to my leg. And then he was still and I was able to just pray over him in my arms. He was A WHOLE NEW EDWARDO! It was the most humbling few minutes because God rested His heart with His lovingkindness through me. ME!! How lucky AM I! Lovingkindness is such a special trait that Jesus gives us. I don't even know if these kids get affection at home but Edwardo was very thankful for it. It not only blessed him but me as well. I thought that was a super special moment and it showed me the alternating power of love and affection in ones life...
