Lactic Acid. Lessons Learned. Loads of Fun!

By: Abby Corcoran, Summer Intern at Flemingdon Park

I’ve had one of the most tiring and enjoyable weeks I’ve ever experienced. It’s not the same as lying on a beach in Cuba… it’s much better. It’s learning how to play basketball in 30-degree weather with 30 other kids and staff running around. It’s watching adults role play and tap into their “inner child.” It’s teaching the creation story to kids who’ve never heard it. It’s leading a group of sweaty kids in the insanity workout at 9 am for the fun of it. It’s having your hair “braided” and “re-braided.” But all the while I honestly can’t stop smiling because the campers are absolutely unreal.

Between all the games and activities, I’ve had the opportunity to share Christ with the campers, including those that have never heard the Good News before. Every morning I look forward to teaching them a new truth from the Bible. Sonshine Day Camp is a really special place that is transforming the kids that walk through the doors.

And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.
-Deuteronomy 6:6-7

Sometimes I wonder whether I’ll make it to the end of the week due to the amount of lactic acid running through my calves, the minimal sleep, and the unbearable heat… but every time a camper asks to play soccer, or decides to dump a bucket of water on my head, I’m up and running before I have time to think about how much energy I have, because God has promised to renew our strength.

So lesson learned this week: God has provided and will continue to provide. These past 2 weeks, our site was also blessed with such incredible mission teams and I am gaining a better understanding of how our “success” is completely dependent on God and not our own abilities and strengths.

There’s no other place I’d rather be this summer.

This is Abby's first year interning with TCM, and she hopes it's not her last. She is studying Concurrent Education, and is excited about all of the skills she is using and developing through her internship. These skills will aid her in the future as a teacher in a developing country.