This past week, July 13-17, was one of the most difficult but amazing weeks of my life.
For the past two years, a few families from our church have gone down to Clarkston, GA, to help missionaries working there with Camp Mosaic, a VBS for the refuge children living there in the "most diverse square mile in America." We have organized the crafts and games to go along with the theme and Bible stories the team in Clarkston has already put together. We are basically there to take the burden of crafts and games off of those already there so that they can strengthen connections with the kids to share the gospel. Another family has taken care of the major planning and execution details the past two years, but they stepped down from that position this year, leaving the leadership roles vacant.
Sometime back in early spring, I was approached by one of the moms who has been part of our team in the past two years. She asked if I would like to co-lead with her. I was flattered that she thought so highly of me and I eagerly agreed. I assumed I would be sending emails, rounding up a few supplies, and helping here or there.
I was wrong.
I was a leader. That meant getting my hands deep into the entire process, from gathering our team until the last night of camp...and beyond, until our team reports later this fall. Every step of the way, I was either first or second in line, spending several hours working to compile checklists of everything we needed and had to get done. I helped choose crafts and I had help choosing games. We planned a craft night, which I spent showing everyone what needed to be done and then putting duct tape handles on cardboard shields. I co-led the team meeting preceding our week at Mosaic.
Already, I was overwhelmed. If someone had handed me the list of everything I was going to do, I might have declined. Thankfully, each task was gradually placed on top of my stack, enabling me to find ways to work through everything. Some weeks were very hard. Sometimes I wasn't sure I would be ready in time.
But Camp Mosaic week arrived and I was ready...I hoped. I wasn't planning on leading the children in games. My intent was to brief my team and then let one of the dads explain the games. I got all the supplies out and talked with the dads and youth workers about the games we would be playing and my plan for the evening. The plan was good, except for one problem:
Things did not go according to my plan.
The first group, fifth and sixth graders, entered the field and I had to take charge immediately, breaking them off into teams and essentially making it up as I went along. I gave the instructions and got my fellow team members busy facilitating the games. With a few minor bumps, that 35-minute session went very smoothly, and I gained a confidence boost.
My first mistake. Our next shift was composed of about twenty-five children, from four years old up to first grade. None of them wanted to play what I wanted to play, and my patience plummeted as I tried to keep them from running out over the entire field and getting into the water.
The next two groups, second and third graders and then fourth graders, were much easier, and I got a good feel for what needed to happen for the rest of the week. At last the camp day ended and I could go home and cool off.
The following four days followed a similar pattern, with me as leader, improvising most of the time. It was very hot (in the mid-nineties every day), and most days, my energy was drained before we were halfway done. By the end of the week, my team and the children were all exhausted and their excitement and energy had taken a dive. It was hard to be leader and not get to interact with the kids as much as I wanted.
But it was worth it.
Even in the chaos (and it was chaos), I was able to see God's hand in our work. The first day, on a nearly cloudless evening, a thick cloud covered the brutal sun, giving us enough relief from the heat to make it through the evening. The next night, a storm rolled in just after camp ended and the kids were home, and not a minute sooner. On all the days but Wednesday, we had a place to relocate the games in the event of rain, but there was no backup plan for Wednesday. God kept the rain away not only on Wednesday but on every other day as well, making it much easier for the entire camp to function smoothly. When I didn't think I could go on, He gave me strength and perseverance to finish what I'd started. He put willing and able helpers on the field with me to support me and take over when I needed a water break.
If I could take a few things away from this experience, it would be these:
~The harder I hold to my plan and my agenda, the less likely it will be carried out. The more flexible I am willing to be, the more efficient (and fun) everything will turn out.
~Despite the fact that I was younger (and perhaps far less qualified) than the other adult leaders out there, God put me in that leadership position, and I should not let anyone look down on me (including myself) because of my youth (1 Timothy 4:12). Just because I am young does not mean that God does not want to use me in a big way.
~Sometimes, it's more important to let go of my plan and the big picture for the sake of a moment in the small picture. When I let go of trying to plan games for the youngest group, I got to spend precious time with a little Iraqi boy playing soccer. It reminded me why I do what I do.
~If God calls me to something, He will not strand me to carry it out on my own strength. He will guide me and help me every step along the way.
There is nothing more empowering than being able to see God's hand in the work He has called you to do.
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