This summer at Camp Penuel was amazing. It was great to meet new faces as well as see old faces. Some of the children grew and matured a little since the last time I saw them which was exciting. One of the most remarkable memories that I have from Camp Penuel was during meal time. The children at one table would start a chant "We get hype for Jesus, we we get hype for Jesus, we get hype for Jesus, do you get hype for Jesus?" In response another table would say the same thing. Just seeing the smiles and the excitement on their faces made me hype for Jesus! I enjoyed loving on the children from Camp Penuel and they blessed me in ways that are imaginable!
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I had such a great time on the East St. Louis trip last year, when I saw we were going again I knew I wouldn’t miss it. The CAC advertises that they are home to, “The best kids in the world,” and it’s true!
I didn’t want to believe that there were children who would come to camp with so little until I saw it. And yet, I also saw God in their smiles and heard God in their stories. It’s important to go into a trip with no preconceived notions, to leave baggage at home and to be open-minded to the experience. I’ll never forget a seven-year-old I met last year. I was hopeful that he’d come again this year AND not have forgotten me. When I saw him the first day he ran up to me and said, “My girlfriend, I’ve been caring about you all year!” You don’t know how blessed you are until you serve. I truly enjoyed my time at the mission trip to Camp Penuel. I always experience God when I am there with the children. I began to learn something this time about the grace of God and living not by sight but faith. There were many times I had to lead them to chapel, pool, activities, there were times I had to teach them but more importantly there were times I had to learn from them. I saw that God had hope to provide me an opportunity to build something new rather than simply serve the community. In the Bible, like God used David, it was their small voices and the things they did that made me realize the answers to the biggest challenges. I pray that those who take up this challenge might experience this mission trip as dealing with God's creation according to His own truth. I believe those children are God's image bearing agents that reflected my joy through our relationship as teachers, learners and leaders.
Chowan has partnered with the Christian Activity Center (CAC) in East St. Louis, IL for eight summers. We accompany a group of CAC's staff and students to serve as counselors at Camp Penuel, located in southeastern Missouri. This year 20 of us accompanied the CAC staff and group of 5-11 year-olds in worship, boating, swimming, crafts and s'mores!
Enjoy the stories and reflections of students who participated in this trip! Drew |
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