Field Report: Junior Girls’ 1

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One of the really special things at camp is seeing campers truly come to faith. Angel* was one of these campers. Angel was socially awkward, with autistic tendencies, and a meanstreak. On her first night at camp, Angel blew up at a camper and ended up sleeping in an empty cabin with the Counselor Coach and another staff person. I wondered if she would make it through the week, or if she’d have to be sent home.

Angel quickly made enemies with two girls on her team and in chapel or any group time, Angel would randomly talk outloud. We tried different things, such as moving Angel to the back of the group, doing a service project, or sitting with her during the meetings. Nothing really worked.

The reality was, Angel was broken. But broken Angel was still listening. On the fourth day of camp, Angel showed up in the baptism class. After I explained to the campers about baptism, I asked Angel if she wanted to follow Jesus and make him the Lord of her life. Angel said, “Yes”.

I explained to Angel that Jesus told us that part of following him was loving our enemies. That means that when someone says something mean to us, we respond with a kindness. Then I asked again if she really wanted to follow Jesus in baptism and make him lord of her life. Angel again said, “Yes”.

That evening a brown eyed girl, with autistic tendencies and behavior problems walked into the pool and choose to follow Jesus. It was all she had, but she was giving him her life. That night at bed time Angel’s cabinmates (or you could call them her haters) were ready to test her faith with their unkind words and actions. But this time Angel spoke kind words back. It was such a shift that one of her “enemies” actually started defending her. Even they could see the change in Angel.

I want to say a big thanks to everyone who worked to create a place for kids like Angel to follow Jesus this summer.

*Names changed for confidentiality

Gratefully,
Ben Smith
Founder/Executive Director
Camp David International