METAMORPHOSIS: Answering God's Call
Reflections by: Carlijn | Summer Camp Intern, Jesse Ketchum
While training for Sonshine Day Camp, I asked myself who I would be after the internship. I thought about how my views of the "world" would change and how I might improve spiritually, intellectually, and emotionally. It's incredible how God unravels His plans for the children and me this summer.
“While we try to teach our children all about life – Our children teach us what life is all about”
DAVID & GOLIATH
In one of my Bible Lessons, God showed His inner work through the significance of creating slingshots with the kids and talking about their biggest fears. A camper, who opted out of Bible time, began asking questions about the activity. The primary goal was to remind the children that even if their fears are giant-sized like Goliath, trusting God results in victory. I let the children tell the leaders what they fear, aim at the word "FEAR" pasted on a post, and shout, "In God we trust!" just as David showed during Israel's battle against the Philistines (1 Samuel 17).
'EYE' SEE
I see myself in the children – their sadness, anger, happiness, and joy. I feel their frustrations whenever they struggle to communicate or express themselves. They show sadness when their peers wouldn't play with them and anger when a surge of overwhelming emotions becomes too much for them to handle. Despite that, I also see how beautiful and hopeful the world becomes each time they delight in worship and give each other hugs and words of encouragement.
IKIGAI
Elliott wrote in a blog post how science fails even with all its marvels. It cannot lessen human anger, provide forgiveness, build respect, have deep compassion for others, or give us hope during differentiated and divided times. Only our faith can. This insight reminded me of my "reason for being" or ikigai – perhaps to milk cows with children on a farm. Jokes aside, I talked with my Outreach Workers as I began praying to God about serving ministry.
My internship at TCM helped me realize that God might call me to serve where advocating for children and delighting in them – meet. In the words of Leo Tolstoy, I hope to do good, be of use somewhere in a secluded area; then rest, nature, books, music, love for one's neighbour — and also, to love God.