Jenny Weddle
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Longing for Community
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What campers really need
By Jenny Weddle, UGM Camp Director
The children who come to UGM Camp every summer bring their home life with them. Each one of us is the product of our family environment, the culture we were raised in, and the experiences that have shaped us into the individuals we have become. For some of us, it requires years of work to overcome adversity in childhood. Children from low-income families often experience turmoil, need, and deep want.
This week at UGM Camp, we are partnering with Liferoads Church and Life Center, with 67 campers from Sheridan Elementary School, located in a low-income neighborhood close to Freya and I-90 in Spokane.
LIferoads Senior Pastor Donnie Johnson and his extremely talented wife, Pam, are heading up the week of camp. With such a big group of kids, it can be difficult to touch base with each one on a personal level, so Pam and Donnie came up with a novel idea: For each day of camp, they give campers a specific subject and cabin-color-coded sticky notes to write on. Campers can share their thoughts and put their sticky note on the wall so counselors can see what their campers are thinking about and specific needs can be addressed over the course of the week.
As I read through sticky notes this morning, I was struck by the complexity and simplicity found in the camper responses. Their hurts and needs are so great. We can love them for a week and follow up with them, but what they really need is Jesus, who can address their hurts and lift them up every day throughout the year.
One subject this week was “Tell Me." What do campers want to be told? Here’s a sampling of camper responses:
o Tell me you want me here, I am important to you
o Tell me I can live with mommy and daddy
o Tell me to never cuss
o Tell me how God was made
o Tell me you like my smile
o Tell me every day I am beautiful and God loves me
o Tell me I’m a good person
o Tell me I’m helpful and pretty
o Tell me about you
o Tell me you care about me
o Tell me I can do it!
o Tell me you love me
Today’s topic was prayer requests. These are prayer requests from children 8-12 years old:
o Pray I will change my attitude
o Pray that everyone will believe in God
o Pray for my family because my mom is getting married
o Pray for me to have a better family
o I pray God will keep my family safe
o Pray that kids will quit messing with my brother
o My aunt has cancer and I want her to get better
o Pray everyone will make peace
o Pray that He will help me with my fears
o Can you help me change ideas?
o I want God to help me with my school work this year
o God please help me and my family.
o Help
o Pray for a good time on the last day of camp
Reading these prayer requests today brought tears to my eyes. These children are so young, and so many of them are experiencing deep hurting every day. Will you join me in praying for our campers as they go home, back to their normal home life and environment?
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