Blessing 34

Blessing 34

Well, here I am again by the grace of God! I'm leaning against my bed, laptop in my lap, fingers busily tapping away. And it seems like forever since I wrote on my blogs, almost a lifetime. My life has changed since the last time I was working on my blog. I believe that God used this past month (well, 38 days) to change my heart to one that will better serve Him, but let me start somewhere nearer the beginning. And I'll do it in story format...

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   Indi Raine sat next to her bed, flustered and tired. She glanced at her alarm clock-11:30 P.M.. Hopefully nobody would wake up. She HAD to finish her blog posts for the month of July-without new content, readers would disappear. Even if it was only songs, she needed to schedule something. And maybe the blog scheduling buttons would work this time. As she copied and pasted the codes for YouTube videos Indi was surrounded in mess-bags, clothes, notebooks, chargers, nearly everything she would need for the next month-the month she had given to God. The month of volunteer work at a Christian camp. And that time away was going to begin tomorrow-the tomorrow that was approaching rapidly as the red numbers on the alarm clock changed in unceasing regularity. Finally, the last post was scheduled and Indi wearily made her way to bed. After praying for friends, self, and family, she drifted off to sleep.

   "Bye! I love you!" Indi told her siblings, busily rushing out the door while stuffing her tooth brush and tooth paste into her purse, wondering when she would find a time and place to buy breakfast along the way. Two duffle bags (one quite small), one carry-on bag, one purse, one camera case-all was ready for the bus ride, except possibly Indi herself. It would be a new experience, but she loved to travel and did not mind trying new things. Within half an hour she had decided that she liked bus travel even better than travelling in the family mini van, although the latter certainly did not rattle and shake as much. Her constant writing in her journal was messy and shaken by bumps, but the content would be saved for future reminiscence. Eventually the bus approached her stop-Indi gathered her things together, wondering where the camp director would be for the pick up. After claiming her luggage, she recognized a lady who she knew worked as camp secretary. The camp director had sent the two office ladies to collect her and her belongings. Indi soon met the other office worker-a sweet lady-and they made several stops in town before driving to the camp. Now, those stops were the two most critical stops for workers during that summer-Tim Hortons and Wal-Mart.  Indi picked up several necessities that she had wanted to buy at home but had not found a chance to purchase before departure, including sunscreen and bug spray.

   By the time staff training began, Indi had begun to learn her way around the camp. By the time staff training ended, she felt like she knew the other staff members and the facilities quite well. She had made friends. Well, friends/enemies, depending on whether Indi had just driven them crazy with the many pranks she executed within the time at camp. As the summer went on it became a swirl of prayers for strength and guidance, evening sessions, hours spent mixing and serving drinks, time spent with friends while cleaning cabins, 1:00  night talks filled with laughter and tears, well-worn flip flops, sunshine and rain, being crazy, living life whole heartedly while coming out of her shell. The thought of leaving became sadder each day as each week of July skimmed past. Each day further instilled Indi's love for the camp and the people there-even the teasing and annoying of the other workers was enjoyable. It was like finding a family that she had never known existed.  Indeed, family dynamics would be the best term to describe the relationships between the majority of the staff. Even sibling rivalry showed itself. But God had set all them together, and as they often laughed, occasionally argued together the bond between them held a lot of Christian love.

   July 21, 2015 was a special day for Indi, for that night she learned the joy that comes with the salvation of a loved one-one of her younger siblings, a camper that week, had accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour. Many tears were shed, many explanations given, many exclamations of joy and delight heard. Indi and one of her friends ran in a field on campus. When alone, all Indi could pray was, "God, You are amazing! Thank You! Thank You! You are amazing, God!" It seemed so inadequate, but it was all. However, her desire to become a missionary and to serve God with all her life and lead others to His unfailing love was cemented that joyous night. Nearly every staff member would hear that night and the next morning of the miracle God had done that night. It made all the camp work worth it-all the blisters and back aches, exhaustion and breaking points-to know that more souls would be heaven bound because of that summer. It was a wondrous thing.

   Finally the day came for Indi Raine to go back home. But as she left, she left the camp with the desire to return the next year, to stay even longer. As the camp director said, "Jehovah-shammah". Indi looked it up-it meant "the Lord is there". With a smile, she shared it with her blog readers. "Jehovah-shammah" was the perfect description of the camp. She would pray for God's leading back to that ministry for the next summer.

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So, friends, what did you think of that blessing? Have you ever gotten to volunteer with a ministry you believed was doing God's work? This past "summer" (aka end of June to first bit of August) has been the perfect blessing and best summer ever-one that I truly needed at this point in my life.

Sorry that this entry has taken so long to get up! I hope that it was worth all those other posts scheduled near midnight-thanks for not complaining about them and continuing to follow this blog!

More posts coming soon...!

God bless you with amazing blessings!

Love from your camp staff friend,
Indi Raine