I apologize for just now getting a post up from Camp Barnabas. Most of you have probably never been, so let me just say on the front end that this was the most life changing trip I've ever taken students on in student ministry.
The first thing I would say is that this trip took our students by surprise. If you would talk to some of our students, they would say that they never thought that they would become so close to one person in 7 days. On the last day, the parent of this boy told Jake (pictured below with him) that he had never been so attached to anyone other than his mom.
The first thing I would say is that this trip took our students by surprise. If you would talk to some of our students, they would say that they never thought that they would become so close to one person in 7 days. On the last day, the parent of this boy told Jake (pictured below with him) that he had never been so attached to anyone other than his mom.
Wow. After 7 days? One of the reasons they grow so close is that many of the campers do not get a lot of attention during the year. Many of them are mistreated verbally at school, and so to have one person come to spend 7 days of their summer is the highlight not just of their year, but their life! The last thing I'll say about this is that many of my students want to go back next summer, the same term, and are begging for the same camper. Some of them have made threats if I do not listen.
Another thing that our students took away from this trip is a spirit of gratitude. In the picture below you'll see a cross, and if you look closely it has little plaques on it with names.
The names are campers that have come to Camp Barnabas and have passed away since being a camper. The last day of camp they do what they call the Cross Carry. This is one of the most unbelievable things I've ever seen. Each cabin holds the cross, prays for the camper's families who have lost a child, prays for the current campers who are terminal, and walks it a few yards to the next cabin. Teary eyed yet?
Pictured below is one of my students Carson hugging his camper who just finished carrying the cross, and is weeping because he knew of the campers name's on the cross.
Pictured below is one of my students Carson hugging his camper who just finished carrying the cross, and is weeping because he knew of the campers name's on the cross.
His camper hugged his counselor, crying, and didn't let go for about 20 mintues. So our students walked away with how good they have it. A brain that works, a body that works, and they live with incredible families. How often do we forget about all of those things and complain about little petty things that don't really have any real weight in life? Remember how blessed you are today!
One other thing I would add is how our kids saw joy like they've never seen before. These campers are more happy because of their relationship with Jesus than we usually are. Look at the picture below and just let that soak in.
These campers love life, and many of them love Jesus, and love to worship Him in the midst of their problems. They are just like you and me, they just have different struggles/issues that they have to deal with. I've never thought of the disabled in that light. I am walking away from this week absolutely committed to making more of a difference in the disabled community, and to going back to Camp Barnabas every summer. If you want to learn more about Camp Barnabas by watching their promo video, click here to watch it.
-MIKE
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