Salvation Belongs to Our God
This summer, I have grown in deeper understanding that salvation belongs to the Lord alone. While we do take part in doing His work in this ministry by building meaningful relationships, having intentional conversations, and sharing the love of Christ — it is ultimately God who saves and plants the seeds in the hearts at Kingston-Galloway. This experience has grown me to understand that it is not my job to save these kids and their families; rather, we are called to be witnesses of Christ in the ways we act and speak with tongues coated in love. I can trust that God would do His work in His timing and not in mine — even if it is time which occurs when I am no longer serving at Kingston-Galloway.
I can trust that God would do His work in His timing and not in mine — even if it is time which occurs when I am no longer serving at Kingston-Galloway.
During Sonshine Day Camp, we welcomed a couple kids in the community who have not attended TCM programs in the past and/or do not know the Gospel. Micah was one of these campers, and prior to camp, he often approached situations with aggression expressed in physically fighting and swearing. For his first Monday of camp, our bible lesson focused on having forgiveness rather than acting in revenge and trusting that our God remains just. During this Bible session, Micah came with many, many questions, some of which questioned why we would not hurt those who hurt us. It was second nature for him to act in this way in the environments in which he interacts; for him, he shared that it is his first instinct to hurt those who hurt him. However, as days continue to pass, he begins to observe and absorb how camp leaders act, the Bible lessons that are taught, and the rules we have at camp — to respect God; respect ourselves and our peers; and to respect the church space. Slowly, we witness his actions and his language used at camp begin to change.
Camp begins to become one of his first environments in which he tries to stop himself from swearing and being involved in physical altercations. On the bus ride to the Ontario Science Centre, I wanted to know him a little better and sat with him. This time, he shared with me some things about him — his family, his favourite genre of music, and his favourite hobbies. While there were some moments in which he slipped out a curse word or caught himself in the midst of saying it, he would immediately look up to the sky and apologize to God. In this, we start to see his behaviour change — he truly tries his hardest to uphold these rules as he continues to slowly learn what it looks like to be honoring God and respecting his peers.