For the past few days I have had the opportunity to participate as a camp counselor in a Ukranian Camp. I’m actually writing this blog as I sit and judge one of the many activities that has happened over the past few days. Participating in camp as a camp counselor has been a very redeeming experience for me. Ever since becoming a Christian I’ve heard story after story about different experiences people have had either going to camp as a child or being a camp counselor during the summers. Apparently camp is a prominent part of being a Christian which I felt like I had missed out on.
Sumo Wrestling
In fact, over the last few years God has been restoring much of my youth, which I have realized, more and more, was stolen from me. By this I don’t mean that I didn’t have a good and fun childhood, but God has allowed me to have glimpses into what it would have been like if I had grown up having a relationship with Him. I don’t pretend, by any means, that all Christian families have it together, but it’s been interesting to see the different lifestyles that Christian children have and has given me many ideas for how I want to raise my kids someday.
Relay Race
For example, while living in Austin, God provided a cool chance for me to become part of another family. I taught their son in Sunday School and they kindly opened up their home to me, always feeding me and allowing me to play with their many toys (thanks Rob & Christie). I was able to see how this family operated from the inside out, which was an eye-opening experience for me.
Also while living in Austin, God provided an amazing community for me to become a part of. I started hanging out with several people from church, which was honestly strange for me at first. It felt like a flashback to being young again and I think it was the purity of it all that really shocked me. For instance, I remember going to organized dinner parties where the girls cooked the guys dinner, several game nights of acting silly and foolish, and many nights of sober dancing, which really stretched me at first. However, I decided to embrace it, acting ridiculous and letting loose without the addition of any booze or stimulants and I was able to learn so much during those couple years.
My favorite camper, don’t tell the others…
So being a part of a Ukranian church camp over-looking the Black Sea has been a blast…and redeeming. Not only is this place absolutely picturesque, but I’ve had several chances to act ridiculous like a little child: participating in slip-n-slide tug-o-wars, sumo wrestling, several relay races, eating in the mess hall with the kids, acting in skits, singing worship and teaching English, always having several kids hanging from my arms screaming at me in Russian, becoming the victim in an all out pinecone war, never-ending sports and games, camp songs and treasure hunts, birthday parties, baptisms, and several other memories.
Mess Hall with the kids
I am thankful for this experience: for how it has touched me and opened up my mind even more to a different and fun way of living life. While I am often teased as having an “old soul�, I’ve been learning that I can have an “old soul�, while still being goofy and light-hearted like a child.
Tug-O-War…I lost both games and scraped my knee…boo
