For those who don't know, I work at Confidence Learning Center (Camp Confidence) where I help people with disabilities. What attracted me to this particular camp is their passion for instilling the camper with a self sufficient attitude- the focus on their abilities rather their disabilities. Another major reason I love this camp is their focus on establishing a tight bond between the campers and their main staff, p.c.a, or family. When campers don a helmet and harness to climb a 60 foot tree to ring a bell at the very top, words cannot express the newfound awe and respect that is shown in the staffs' facial expressions. In that moment, the staff realizes that the person they help take care of has skills and talents that surpass even their own comfort levels. Strengthening that connection at camp ultimately increases the camper and staff's/family's happiness by creating a better understanding for one another. Camp is an amazing place that has been blessed by God, and I have been extremely blessed to have been able to work here the past two summers. I simply wanted to share a few stories where God touched someone's heart and instilled a heaping of joy that couldn't be contained.
God was there at Camp Sertoma (a camp for the deaf and hard of hearing). He helped me build a friendship with an eleven year old deaf boy when we couldn't communicate through speech or sign. God finds a way when you can't.
God was there when a family arrived at camp. They had hoped to have a relaxing weekend to get away from the stress at having to move out of their house and into an in-between space while they finish plans to build an accessible house for their two children with cerebral palsy. While they put on smiles, I could tell the parents were struggling. So, I prayed that God would do something amazing in their lives. The next day the mother got a phone call from a wish foundation, granting them a paid trip to Disney World. Her tears of joy expressed her relief and gratitude. I pray God continues to bless them for they are an incredible family.
God was there when a sixty year old blind woman went tubing behind the boat for the first time. Her laughter was contagious as she felt the waves beneath her body. God was there the day after as the same woman shot a bow and arrow for the first time. She hit the target. It was heartbreaking when she turned to her staff and asked "Did I just do that? Did I shoot just like everybody else?"
God was there when the relatives of a family learned how to interact with a son who has disabilities. A wish foundation sent them to camp to spend time with one another and to learn how to communicate with others who may not be like yourself.
God was there with a woman who came to camp. This woman's arthritis ailed her as we walked inch by inch down the sidewalk. Her entire group was far ahead of us, but as we approached them she looked at me and whispered "Sometimes, I think God made me to teach others patience."
And God was there at camp when I was sitting at the beach with a group. I spotted a woman's bracelet that read F.R.O.G. Wanting to know what the acronym meant, I asked her about it. She replied that it meant Fully Rely On God. I believe God was telling me what I needed to do through this woman. She gave me a message I needed to hear and remember.
I pray God continues to bless this camp and the people who visit. I also pray that we are all able to notice His presence in everything that happens wherever it happens.
