By: Analisa De Armas, Hume Lake Winter Camp Director
As each weekend of Winter Camp has gone by, I have become more and more excited for students to sit under Solomon’s teaching within Ecclesiastes. In exploring this unique, poetic, and wisdom-filled book, the existential questions of teenage students have been brought to the table.
Questions such as “Who am I?”, “What is the meaning of this life?”, and “What is my purpose in life?” have been addressed so clearly and directly with the Bible as the source of all truth and wisdom. It has been amazing seeing students yearn for answers within the Word of God as we learn to understand the necessity of truly knowing and fearing God in this fallen and confusing world.
Our hope for students each weekend is that they leave understanding that although many of us look for meaning and purpose in this world, it is only through Christ that we will find true meaning and purpose as we understand what it means to fear God and obey His commands.
In light of this yearning for truth, a story of a camper named David comes to mind. On a Saturday afternoon, he made it known that he did not want to be at camp, using choice words to declare that fact to his leaders and our staff. This was his first time at a camp like this and he isn’t the type that is too involved in church. After much discussion with his leaders and one of our Redcoats (Winter Camp Lead Counselor), he cooled off and decided to stay. That evening, the Gospel was presented and we invited students to stay back in chapel if they would like too, otherwise they could go to Free Time. When everyone was dismissed, I was a bit surprised to see that he didn’t immediately jump up and leave. He sat there for a few minutes just chatting with his church counselor. The next morning, on his own accord he actually asked for a Bible from one of our Redcoats.
David is an amazing example of the way this generation yearns for truth as he was able to experience big questions being asked and answered through the Word of God. To go from not wanting to be at camp at all, to asking for a Bible on his own accord is such an incredible transformation. To see the way that God was gently inviting David closer to Himself each moment of camp was beautiful to witness. To God be the glory!
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