Fifty-five years ago, Mel Brewer was stationed for the military away from his wife. Through individual prayers, they both felt called to bring kids to Christ and through letters, they shared their hopes with each other and were assured that God was calling them to open a place where kids could come to know Christ as their savior. I’m spending my 11th summer at Sky Ranch summer camp- 9 as a camper and 2 as a counselor. I’m one of many kids who have been brought to Christ through Mel and Winkie Brewer’s summer camp.
Last year, I got to hear Mel speak on his 80th birthday about the story of Sky Ranch and I began to realize that although our lives are completely different, God has called us to become a part of his story, which is so much bigger than ourselves.
Right now I’m sitting on a bunk bed preparing for my first week of 7 and 8 year olds who will come through the gates of the summer camp this Sunday, and I can’t wait! Although I will be one of the counselors who will share Christ with these kids, its not my responsibility or ability to save lives or change hearts. I am simply here as a vessel for Christ to use. I must remember that this is not MY summer and this life I live is not MY own. When Jesus said that whoever loses his life will find it, He meant surrendering it all to Him. So often, I tell God that I will give him the reigns to my life, but when its time to make a turn, I take them back -yep, I went to horses today!- 🙂 
I’ve had the privilege to hear the camp director share how God has revealed to him that his children are not his own, but are simply on loan from God and that he has been charged with raising them to know Christ and loving them as best as he can. Through his story, I realized that my life is truly not my own, and that I have been given the gift of life and the only thing I can do with it is serve Him. I am so excited to be used by Him in the next year, whether it is spending time with 7 and 8 year olds catching bugs or serving Him in a country I have never visited before.
