There I was, lying wide awake at 5 AM, listening to some of the loudest thunder I have ever heard... thinking to myself, "how in the world are we going to get the internationals to the airport and bus station in this storm..."
August 11th had arrived - the day for all of us to go home.
Luckily, the rain stopped just in time for everyone to load the bus. Yet, whether it was raining or not, the international staff would most definitely be late to leave.... In addition to their lack of punctuality in the first place, they also take foreverrrrr to say their goodbyes... Hugs and pictures and tears - it's always quite the scene.
So there I was, rushing them along, telling them to get in their bus because it was time to go!!
But they kept coming to give me a hug and take a selfie. And as I hugged them, just about every one of them said "thank you for the opportunity."
To which I'd give them a simple "Of course! Love you! Thankful for you! Now everyone get on your bus! We don't want you to miss your Greyhound or plane! Let's go!!!"
But then came Jesus Ortega. (adding his last name so you don't think I am referring to Jesus Christ...)
Jesus was one of my latest hires... one that I hired when we were getting desperate for work crew. In his interview, he was sitting in his gaming chair with big headphones on. Yet, he was eager and excited to serve. So (close your ears, Debbie..) I took a chance on him and hired him!
He arrived late, missing orientation and arrived on Middle Saturday right in time for late night mish mash! Which also meant that work crew wasn't even working, so I was struggling to think through what to do with Jesus without just leaving him off by himself. So we did the proper "Welcome to America" and took him to the archery range where he tried archery for the first time!
He was super shy and timid. As hard as I tried to get him to talk, he would respond with one liners. But, I could tell that he had a big heart and was going to be a hard worker.
And after 2 and a half months at camp, I witnessed him grow SO MUCH. He became so much more confident and comfortable.
As he hugged me bye and looked me in the eyes and said with such sincerity, "thank you for the opportunity," I finally stopped thinking about how they all needed to hurry and load the buses and it broke me..
Thank me??? For what???
For getting to blow leaves? And set up events? And move inflatables? And ride around camp and pick up the trash?
If most people I know had to serve on work crew for 10 weeks straight, I am not sure that they would be thanking me for the opportunity...
In that moment, Jesus exemplified an incredibly humble position of the heart. May I have more of a gratitude posture like that.
And like Filip's and Fany's and Brian's.
Somehow, someway, everyone ended up where they needed to be on time and safely!
And as I embarked on my 10 hour drive home back to Georgia, the phrase "thank you for the opportunity" kept coming to the front of my mind.
As I reflect on the past four months, of many ups and downs, I am very thankful for the opportunity.
An opportunity to work at a place like Camp Ozark - for a Christ-centered mission, alongside selfless servants and filled with a lot of fun and laughter.
An opportunity to be surrounded by over 7,000 kids throughout the summer.
An opportunity to watch college students put their own needs aside, as they serve the kids right in front of them.
But more importantly, for the opportunity to be a part of building God's Kingdom. That even though He doesn't need me, He still chooses to use me - even with my brokenness and pride and distracted mind.
An opportunity to truly learn that I need Jesus. That I have to rely on Him, that I cannot do this life on my own.
An opportunity to be reminded to release my tight grip on the things of this earth.
Without fail, camp is always a place that reveals my weaknesses. Yet, in a way that also points me to where I can find my strength.
An opportunity to understand what Jesus means when He says, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
An opportunity to put my attempt to become more like Jesus in action and yet still be able to return to His feet when I fail in my attempts. To learn more about His characteristics through reading the gospels.
And I am thankful for the opportunity to work in a job that is constantly all about serving others. As I look back on this summer, I am disappointed in myself for how quickly and how often I turned things inward, thinking about myself. When all I had to do is look around and immediately realize that I was constantly surrounded by people who were outward focused.
The reminders to be outward focused. The reminders that we are serving God and not the people around us. The reminders to look forward. A lot of wisdom helping me to grow this summer in the midst of an incredible opportunity.
If you would have ever asked me what job I would have, I can assure you that my answer was never "work full time for a summer camp."
But I sit here today, 8 summers later, and give so much thanks for the character it has helped me to develop....
To push through when things are hard.
To do even the small things with excellence.
To care about people and take time to listen to them.
To encourage the people around you, as you do the mission together.
To leave things better than I found them.
To be a problem solver and be proactive.
To always look for how things could improve.
The list goes on and on...
Last week, I listened to a sermon about "divine direction" and he stated,
"If you're becoming the right who, our God will help you choose the right do. And if you are driven by the right why, God will lead you to the right what... always focus on the WHO before do."
This summer may have had moments that were really difficult. My specific role may challenge me daily. But, it is all helping me to grow and become the person God wants me to be.
May I simply continue to lean into His Word and prayer and praise and then allow Him to do the rest.
Summer 2023 is officially over - thank you, God, for the opportunity to be a part of what you are doing!
Summer 2024 is officially coming - thank you, God, for the opportunity to be a part of what you are doing!
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Here's to all of our WELL DESERVED award winners of this summer. I sat at banquet, listening to the awards being given, with a grin stretched all the way across my face. This summer, more than others, I felt so genuinely proud of each of them. The Lauren Hortons and Dawson Danners and Lola Carlisles and Madeline Websters and Zoe Allisons and Cam Stewarts! WOW! We really do have some incredible staff and it's a blessing to watch them grow from their arrival to the end of the summer - how far they come since orientation!
On this night, there was an overwhelming sense that all of the hard work was so worth it. To see all of the staff together, watching the staff video full of their smiles, hearing their laughter, and celebrating a SAFE and fun summer.
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I really do think one of God's greatest gifts to us is laughter.
I sat with Macy at this pool party, watching a group of internationals play monkey in the middle and they were laughing the whole time. There are times I have no idea what they are saying, but they erupt in laughter and I can't help but to laugh with them.
It's a really beautiful unifying act. One that can turn any mood around! One that brings a lot of joy!
Thank you, God, for laughter!
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After a summer of being BULLIED by the camp kids.... I was worried that my true nieces would run from me or yell "NOOOO" every time I tried to talk to them.... but NOPE! They are perfect angels amen!!! A wonderful, much needed reunion!
It's always a weird transition back into the real world... we go from being enclosed in our camp bubble for 4 months and then BOOM we are back in the real world. And no one quite understands why we are tired or what we just did all summer...
But here we go! On to the next year ahead! Here's to what the Lord will do and how He will always provide!
***Actually, Hayden was nice to me the last week of camp!!! Count your blessings!!!!!***
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