Love is Patient
By Jungsoo, Summer Intern at Flemingdon Park
This is my second year serving in Sonshine Day Camp at Flemingdon Park. Looking back on the first year, I realized how blessed it was and I thank God for working through this ministry. I was able to start building relationships with the kids and I got to know them better. I recognized some of their struggles and God gave me opportunities to pray for them, and to share the gospel with them through my words and actions. Although some days were physically, mentally, and spiritually draining, I remember at the end of the day I was joyful to know that I was doing God’s work and that He had a plan for each individual camper.
One of my favourite memories from last year was teaching the kids to be patient. Whether it be kids waiting to play basketball, taking turns on skipping ropes and swings, or forgiving one another, they have many opportunities to be patient. I also taught a few kids how to play kendama – a Japanese wooden skill toy that requires coordination and a LOT of patience – which drove some staff and kids crazy. I believe it is important to slow down once in a while and let things take their course, especially in this generation where everything is accessible in an instant. I enjoy teaching kids to be patient not only because it is a necessary skill for them to learn, but teaching kids to be patient also teaches me to be patient. And this patience that we have is nothing compared to the immense patience that God has for us.
As I continue to walk with the children through summer camp and hopefully more throughout the year, I pray that we may both learn more about the love of God and how Christ died for us while we were still sinners.
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Jungsoo is interning at Flemingdon Park for a second summer. He wants to continue building a relationship with the kids to share the love of Christ with them.