Joy in the Unexpected
By Jonathan, Summer Intern at Kingston-Galloway
I began my summer with no intention of becoming a summer intern for TCM. Although I was interested in the position during previous years, my mind was set on finding a job related to my field of study. Having my whole summer and near future planned out, time was running out to find the job that I desired. I was humbled in my approach in job searching, and eventually by God’s grace, I was given the opportunity to work and serve as a summer intern at Kingston–Galloway. It was here when I started to learn more about finding true joy in the unexpected and doing so in obedience.
Since training and camp has started, so many states of fear, anxiousness and stress have come up. Thinking about how I would guide the kids, work alongside my team, and if the kids would like what I planned, led me to all these feelings. During training, like any other camp, I felt as if I needed to be prepared and make sure that everything was well organized. I had no idea what to expect and I wanted everything to be perfect. As I continued to plan, I was slowly able to trust that God had a plan for the camp, for all the staff, myself, and for each kid that would be there.
With the time I've spent at camp now, I’ve been able to see God’s work unfold. No matter how few or how many kids came, or having the need to change activities on the spot, or kids not wanting to participate in certain activities, God has helped our team to plan wisely; and in the end, we can see the fruit that He is producing through this camp.
Some of my favourite parts of camp have been found in what I wasn’t expecting. To name one, getting the opportunity to talk to the kids who don’t want to participate during activities. Although we wish that they would participate, each opportunity was a time where we could be intentional with those kids. It allowed us to build our relationships with them and watch them grow in those areas. Coincidentally, we have finished looking through the book of Esther, and a big point we wanted to focus on was that God wasn’t mentioned once in it. We learned that even when God doesn't seem to be present and when fear takes over, we can still go to Him in any situation. Even when we think camp is getting hard and we’re losing energy, joy can be found in the fact that God is working alongside us.
Every day, I am amazed at how knowledgeable some of the kids are with the Bible, how talented they are at art and sports, and the love they have for one another. I am so grateful that God has put me here in Kingston–Galloway, completely altering the plan I initially had for myself. My hope for the rest of camp is that we may continue to trust and obey the plan that God has set for us here; that these kids may see God as their Lord and Saviour; and that they too would come to understand the joy that is found in God alone.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”
Philippians 4:4,6-7: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
As Jonathan serves at Kingston-Galloway for the first time, he hopes to use his summer wisely for God's kingdom. He is excited to learn more about doing local missions.