The Good Thing About Bad Beginnings
He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.” Luke 19:40
From: 70weeksuvprayr – Rachel
Subject: A Bountiful Harvest – Week 38
Date: August 15, 2002
Hello friends,
I’ve heard it said that one of the best ways to get your mind off your own troubles is to find a need and serve someone else. That’s how I got talked into spending a week as a camp counselor in a no-frills cabin, bunking with a bunch of teenaged girls.
I actually love camp, so I was happy to be asked. I was, in fact, looking forward to being encouraged in my own hard journey by the transformative work God so often does when His people come together to pray, worship, sing, study His Word, and live in community for a whole week.
And then came the first evening service.
I stood there in the back of the chapel and tried to worship. Really, I did try.
Nearly 100 teens filled the seats. In the first three or four rows, several seemed glad to be there–glad to participate in all aspects of camp. But I was distracted by others, especially near the back of the room, in the rows just ahead of me. These appeared completely disconnected from worship–kids who only tolerated the singing and preaching so they could get onto the real purpose of camp–recreation and free time and (perhaps, the biggest draw) meeting the cute guy or girl they were now checking out across the aisle.
I attended camps in my youth and I’ve been a counselor about a dozen times for kids and teens. Even though I love camp, I’m no starry-eyed novice with romanticized expectations. I’ve seen my share of apathetic and rebellious campers, yet, I don’t believe I’ve ever had such a strong sense of futility and hopelessness about any group of teenagers as I had at the beginning of this week. So many seemed unreachable. I pictured walls built high around each one with a sign in bold black letters saying, DO NOT ENTER.
As camp went on I discovered the program directors had been so bold as to schedule a concert of prayer for the final night of camp. I must confess, I didn’t think it would go over with this group—a two-hour prayer meeting for kids who, in all the preceding days of camp, mostly ignored whatever was going on up front to talk (not so very quietly) to each other.
Honestly, I thought it would be a stretch for even the most mature Christian campers among us. But I held my tongue and the plan went forward without my unhelpful thoughts.
We filed into the meeting room on Friday night, the chairs now stacked along the edges, and sat on the floor, gathering around an ingenious camp “fire” made up of logs strategically placed around an electric fan gently blowing red and gold tongues of streamer “flames” toward the ceiling.
And guess what happened next.
Despite my doubts, the concert of prayer idea did go over. In fact, two hours in, when the speaker announced those who didn’t want to continue were free to return to their cabins, not one person left. Every last one of those teens stayed to pray on.
When, a few minutes later someone spontaneously began a worship song, everyone else joined in. The last notes faded and another lone singer took the initiative, followed by another. And another after that.
At 11:30 (way past curfew) one of the adults flipped the lights on to signal the close of the service. And no one wanted to leave. These “unreachable” kids walked from person to person giving heartfelt hugs (even to counselors!).
So how did this happen? Was it the phenomenal speaking techniques? Outstanding recreation? Delicious camp food? Extraordinary counselors?
Perhaps these things played a part, but I think the real work was done during free time in a quiet, unspectacular set apart room. The directors had assigned each of us staff members to go there and pray for 20-minutes every day, covering the whole afternoon as one filed out and another filed in.
I know of no better way to break down walls and reach the unreachable. What else but the power of God is able to shine light through the darkness and show His children the way back Home?
Trusting in Him,
Rachel
INSPIRED BY A TRUE STORY
In late fall of 2001, Rachel Wilson, a ballroom dance teacher living in the small mountain community of Pine Lake, California, discovered her husband, Ben, in an extra-marital affair. Her initial response was much as might be expected—tears, anger, despair, thoughts of revenge and more. But, through a series of unlikely events she was led to an unexpected response – a 70-week journey of prayer with friends.
She wrote an email asking if anyone would commit to praying for her family for 70 weeks, not supposing many would agree to such a long endeavor. To her surprise, more than forty said yes.
This camp story was modeled after an event that took place at Camp Maranatha during Teen Camp in the summer of 2002.
I hope this story inspires you to take a few minutes to pray for any struggling families you know and/or for the staff and campers at Christian camps serving God throughout the world this summer and beyond.
I was led to Christ at Maranatha camp in Idyllwild when I was in High School. It was by Pastor Rob Zynn, pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church. He was an assistant pastor at the time. He was our small group leader..it was under a tree on a worn blanket in the cool evening air. I remember it like yesterday. I can relate to the story of both camper and counselor in this story. I have been on both sides. As a camper our counselor was Rhonda Boggs and her college roommate. They were excellent counselors we respected them and they treated us fair. Rhonda went on to devote her life to youth by becoming a youth pastor. I had a chance to tell both Pastor Zynn and Rhonda thank you. As a counselor I can relate also to watch the change in the atmosphere in camp about mid week to the astounding transformation and the number of kids that come down the aisle during the invitation on the last two nights. Witnessing God’s work is truly awesome. But the tearful goodbyes are awful.
Darla, I had no idea you went to Camp Maranatha!
Did you know that’s where I grew up? I might have even served you pancakes and sausage when you were a camper there. (“One or two?” – sound familiar?)
Thanks for sharing your story : )
Hi Jody, Great story! Christian summer camps can really strengthen young people spiritually. I know they did for me. I was pretty on fire for Jesus throughout high school and college. In fact, my dad told me once, “everything in moderation Michelle, including religion.” However, I thought my dad had it wrong. I had a relationship, not a religion, with the Living God that I loved learning about, especially on the mountain top camp experiences. But, also at Bible Studies and Youth group gatherings and in my time spent on bended knee. The events you describe in your story speak to the real spiritual warfare that is ongoing in all our lives. The fact that the leaders planned continuous prayer reveals their knowledge of the spiritual warfare taking place between the believers and the god of this world, Satan, who does not want the young people to turn to his enemy, God. Praise Him, that he tells us in Matthew 18: 19-20 “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” So now with the Holy spirit present, God was and is free to reveal Himself to the students and lives were and will be changed forever. I regularly pray for revival in our country with other women prayer warriors. We are pleased to see the revival in Asbury and pray it will continue. We also loved that the movie, “The Jesus Revolution” just came out documenting another revival that happened in our country in the 70s. With all the awful things happening in our world and our country, it is a joy to participate with God through prayer and see a little bit of heaven brought down to earth. How wonderful He is to allow us the privilege of talking with Him about all our concerns and watching Him work things out for our good according to His will. We may never understand completely what His plan is for us, but we can know that He does have a plan for us and He is faithful to bring it to pass.
Michelle, one of my favorite things about stories is how they stir up our thoughts and memories. Thank you for sharing from your own camp memories and how they impact you even today : )
Jody, I loved the story you shared. I too experienced the impact Christian camp can have on a heart that is tender and prayed over. I have a unique perspective of Camp Maranatha because you and I grew up as friends. You invited me to attend and I kept coming back! I’m so grateful for the investment the staff made in my life. God was planting seeds of faith that grew as I continued to seek Him for the direction of my life. It begins with prayer. It is a battlefield because God wants our hearts and so does the world. I love to praise Him and see others come to know and serve Him! I pray we see more and more young people surrendered and answering the call on their lives. God bless the Christian camp staff and vbs hosts this summer. Thank you for sharing your heart experiences that inspire, encourage and bring glory to God!! ❤️
Thank you for sharing all of this, Jeanette. I’m so glad we have treasured camp memories together along with school memories and band memories and Idyllwild parade memories binding us together in the story God wrote! Thank you also for mentioning VBS, too. Another great way to serve God with prayer and love and time poured out for little ones (and medium and big ones : ) who need Him.