I don’t know about you, but our plans for the summer were almost entirely canceled. I had great plans for our Forerunners; 6 overnight camp experiences, day camps, it was going to be awesome. And God gave us one week. One week at a new-to-Forerunner camp, Sky Ranch. You never know if kids are going to enjoy a new experience, so I was fairly anxious before picking them up. But, here’s what happened:

Jai'Caree was chosen as the Honor Camper of his cabin. The middle school aged cabins are unified by the word “Connectedness”. This word is used as an encouragement to every camper to be intentional about connecting with one another, their counselors, and the Lord. Jai'Caree was given the Honor Camper award because not only did he connect his entire cabin to one another, he connected all of the cabins within his age group. When I picked him up, every single camper and staff member were screaming, “We love you Jai'Caree, we’re going to miss you so much! Make sure to text me when you get home!” During the school year, we’ve told him every day that he’s a leader, but he’s hearing it from others now too.

Elijah got a little homesick. Nurse Erin came up to me when I drove through camp and said, “Hey, do you have an Elijah with you?” “Yes ma’am” “Well, I was playing basketball with him the other night when he got a little homesick and he is one of my favorite campers of the entire summer. He spoke about his mom with so much honor and love and that’s rare in a 13 year old. I can tell he’ll be a great husband because of how he talks about his mom.” Part of our Manhood Declaration says, “I honor women with my words and actions.” I think Elijah has that part down.

Jemell was given the Kindness award. His counselors told me that at every step, Jemell made sure that others' needs were met before his own. He would speak Truth over his cabinmates, over his counselors, the ones that were hired to speak Truth over him. They told me that as the oldest cabin on camp, that was a big deal. They were looked up to as leaders. Jemell chose to serve rather than be served. He chose to look more like Jesus.

God did more in one week than I was expecting Him to do during an entire summer. The kids did more than have a great time at camp. They impacted others. They are going to continue to impact others. I’m believing that Jai'Caree will continue to unify others, maybe he’ll bring his entire community together. He already did that once over the course of four days! Elijah gave his mom a gift he didn’t know he gave her. Honor. He is going to be a great husband one day. He’s going to give his wife honor even when she’s not around. And Jemell is going to continue to show others the love of Jesus by his kindness. He is going to continue to be a servant leader.

The Lord did not need my plans this summer. He doesn’t need my plans at all. But, He has given us the joy of walking in His plans. His plan was always that there would be one week of summer camp. His plan was always that those three kids would make an impact on an entire camp. His plan was always that I would be humbled and reminded that He is good.

Our God has not stopped working. He’s not done with our Forerunners, He’s not done with you.

Relationships Change Lives,
Caroline Tidwell

July 2020: Sky Ranch