If there was a ever a place where a kid could come and feel loved, understood, and happy, I think Trail's End Ranch would be that place. Already the staff has spent a whole week sitting in training sessions that go from before 10am in the morning, to around 10pm at night, learning about the situations kids are in, how to understand them, and how to help them.
We have begun to learn what it is "in everything to give thanks". There's a cute little saying we have when someone is complaining. We say "cucumbers" to the other staff and most often to ourselves--this reminds us of how the Israelites complained in the desert that they only had manna instead of cucumbers, leeks, and all that Egyptian food. It reminds us to be thankful.
Already we have covered the subjects of suicidal thoughts, hurt from broken or divorced families, feelings of loss when a loved one dies, the need to be listened to, the need to understand Biblical truth--especially for children who haven't come from a Christian background--we've talked about pornography and abortion and other issues that some of the teens coming into camp could be facing and struggling with.
At Trail's End, "Camp is for the camper" and we are not babysitters. Each staff member that takes this training seriously and offers themselves to God sacrificially will go into the eight weeks of camp prepared to minister to each child in a deep and meaningful way. The gospel will be preached, the kids who are saved will be given opportunities to grow in their maturity and knowledge, and the importance of sharing our faith to the lost will also be emphasized. All in all, I really believe Trail's End is effectively doing the work of God in these kid's lives, and I'm inspired by all that I see and hear.
This makes me especially excited because there are skills I am learning here that will prove to be useful if I go oversees and want to have ministry with Muslim children. Of course there will be major cultural differences with how things are done, but I have dreamed of having a school, and now I am seeing an American version of my dreams materialized. I truly believe God has brought me to Trail's End for this purpose, among others.
Emotionally, I have been greatly challenged, just in the first week up here. I came to camp with the private purpose of seeking to grow closer to God aside from the distractions of relationships with boys. Now, I counted on their only being the kind of distractions at camp that I don't go for...like the really hot guys who are flirts and go after the giddy, blonde-headed girls. I never like those types and I'm never paid any attention to by them. So I figured I wouldn't have a problem.
Maybe that was naive?
Anyways, I am being distracted because this camp has "my version" of Romeo, and I am thrown for a loop. But God is good, and He is teaching me to fight off romantic thoughts with a very effective weapon: Scripture! Now, I KNOW this is a good skill to have in missions--especially where there is heavy spiritual attack and oppression (like the Middle East and Africa). So even in this trail I see the hand of God.
I am also making some really great friends up here. I have absolutely been convinced that this is the best summer job in the entire world. And I think there's a big chance I'll be coming back in the future!
(unless I change my mind when the kids get here and I see how much work it really is!)
Please pray for me. I have been getting very tired and physically sore. My knees have not had any of their old problems with running and stuff, but they have been pretty sore after some of our rougher games. So you can pray that the Lord would truly be my strength, both spiritually and physically.
