Well where do I begin?
This year was amazing in so many ways. 1 for the fact that it was sooo many open teens by the end of the week who wanted to change their lives for God and really turn there life to him. My cabin name was the “Yellow Cheddar Cheese Fries….SWAG!” (yes swag was apart of the name lol) I had alot of young teenagers in my cabin. Most were 14 2 15 and 1 17. In the beginning of the week it was really hard to get the girls to open up which I wasnt really use to. It was like pulling teeth to get them to talk about what they learned after the lesson or what was going on in their minds at moments which honestly was discouraging. I felt like I wasnt doing what I was suppose to and was praying hard for God to let me be the light to them and get them to open up. So me and my co counsular decieded that we just need to open up about our lives and sin and what we were learning to make them feel comfortable. It did really help. Alot of my girls in their hearts felt like once you became a disciple you were automactically suppose to be perfect which is not the case at all. We are human we still fall short. No one is perfect but God himself. I had some really good one on one talks with teens about whats holding them back from going all in for God, the sin thats keeping them where there at and how to progress in their relationship with God.
In the moment I felt like I really wasnt helping them at all by sharing what people have told me or by sharing my life but thinking about it I know I did. I got a text from one of my campers telling about the talk she had with her mom that I challenged her to do and she said it went really well. One of my other campers shared with her dad about some of the stuff I challenged her to do and the smile he gave me when he saw me walk pass when they were talking showed nothing but thanks. My favorite moment was with a teen Ive known for awhile. I always wondered why she wasnt baptized yetand she shared with me that she doesnt feel like she was ready and she should just wait. I remember some what going in on her telling her that we dont know how much time we have especially both of us coming from neighborhoods when we see people here oneday and gone tomorrow. I was just telling her there will always be something that is gonna make you think your not ready whether she is a teen or 35 so why not go and just do it now while your heart is ready! I almost melted when she looked me in the eye and said “Tia…so many people have said this to me numerous times and I always kind of brushed it off, but when you say it…it makes me just wanna do it.” at that moment I felt like God was looking at me saying “well done” in acts 17:26 it talks about God setting the times and places for everything that happens and I truly believe that set that up because in 1 instant that talk could of never happened.
Even though I was a counsular and I was there to help teach and lead….I learned alot about my spiritual walk: how deep my selfishness is, insecurities, and where im lacking in my convictions. I left camp with a new mind set and also realize where my calling is: to work with the teens in my church. God has made it obvious for me on numerous occasions but this summer it became even clearer.This upcoming semester I plan to take every step necessary to make it happen and not let my insecurities get in the way. Another highlight of the week I met a girl named Nicole 15 years old. It was her first time not only at teen camp but with contact with the church in general. Her uncle is a regular as a consular at the camp. I remember seeing her the day before camp started quiet and not really sure what was gonna happen so I decided to get to know her and by the end of the week she became like my little sister. Her heart through out the week encouraged me she was learning so much and even did a study at the camp. I was so encouraged at 1 her growing a love for God but also acting on it that quick. I really believe that she will one day become a disciple. I actually wish I could still be there in that peaceful stressful loving place with a bunch of people tryna do the same things that I am.
Its crazy cause at one point in time I was just like those teens sitting in on them lessons as a camper going through and thinking the same things they did and wondering if im ready. But im happy to say that im 9 yrs strong walking with God and I made that descion at 14
