This morning, our Pineview Campers helped lead worship. Time at the Woodland Chapel together is sacred for me. I took an extra moment today to pray. I’d be lying if I said the tragedy at Mystic hasn’t affected me. Whenever I saw a camper today, I gave thanks to the Lord that they are smiling and here with us. Camp Consultant and therapist, Bob Ditter always says, “Two things can be true at once.” On this day, those two things are “I’m devastated by the situation in Texas, and I’m so grateful that I get to continue this important work of loving, caring for, and hopefully inspiring young girls at Illahee. It’s a strange time to be in camping, and we will continue with love.
Today, however, it was the girls who inspired me. Our CITs got up to sing a song in worship that they had been practicing all week. It was called “Firm Foundation.” At my old church, I always treasured the Sermon Response Anthem. After I or Dawn preached, we would sit down and listen to musicians sharing their God-given gifts with the world. Underneath towering Poplars and Maples, this morning, I was able to do just that while standing in awe of the talent and conviction from our oldest campers.
Our theme in worship was “moving forward in love.” We focused on the story of the Good Samaritan, emphasizing how the most important act he did was taking a step forward in love, rather than stepping back in hate or fear. A group of campers at the end of my message shared ways they think we can practice this love at camp, even in the most mundane of ways. This is what they said:
Caroline: In Luke 10, we hear the story of the Good Samaritan. This man went out of his way and chose love over hate by helping someone who was different when he was hurt. In our everyday lives, we have the choice to be the Good Samaritan to those around us by…
Helen: Teaching a new camper the Illahee traditions so they feel included and loved.
Emma: Sharing your rolls with someone who didn’t get one at Sunday lunch.
Riley: Inviting someone to hang out or walk with you if they look like they are having a hard day, or sitting alone.
Frances : Helping a friend feel better when they get homesick.
Sadie: Waiting and helping a friend instead of being first in line at Bag Supper.
Legier: Providing opportunities for others that they rarely have in camp activities.
Elyse: Being the Good Samaritan doesn’t mean you have to go out of your way to do a big grand gesture. It can be simple things that make a bigger difference than you think. We all have opportunities to be the good Samaritan, and we encourage you not to be afraid to take them!
With the help of some other girls who wrote prayers, picked scripture, and sang songs, it was a perfect start to our Sunday at Illahee.
After a Fried Chicken Lunch, the camp took some time to chill during the extended Rest Hour. Well, campers did while our amazing director team sprang into action. A few days ago, Sunday Afternoon programming was blank. Blank spaces on the master calendar are never my favorite. Thanks to a few cups of coffee yesterday morning and a look at the weather, we dreamed up “Water-Palooza.” This entailed some exciting relays involving baby pools, sprinklers, sponges, freeze pops, XXL soaked T-Shirts, and more! We finished the afternoon with good times down the slip and slide, off the tarzan, down the streak, and playing games of lake volleyball.
The cookout was smooth. The cookies were extra soft and chewy tonight, which is my preference. Then we all hiked up to campfire for our Sunday night tradition… singing songs, sharing stories, and laughing at skits. Some of the counselors asked me to be involved in a skit where I started as a sick person at the doctor’s office and after catching every illness of whoever sat down next to me, I nearly became pregnant. It was a ton of fun, and a funny moment because I remember doing the exact same skit a long time ago at Camp Oak Hill where I spent many summers as a teen.
Campers left the campfire to enjoy some milk and cookies and we are off to bed to start another great week at Illahee!
peace,
Lucas