Jul. 27, 2009 - Week 4 of Camp
My name is Andy Misiura. I am a lifeguard and counselor at Christian camps during the summer. Last week, I worked at an inner city ministry. It was at this camp that I had an unexpected experience that made me see things differently. I would like to share it with you. The first day of camp, we arrive about 5:00 PM, get settled, have dinner and go over some rules. I give a quick devotion and the lights are out at 9:30. This was my fourth week and things seemed to be running smoothly. From experience, I expected that the kids would have a hard time getting to sleep the first night for obvious reasons like homesickness, nervousness, excited-ness, etc. So I make it my practice to stay up late in case any of my boys need me. It was about midnight and I was just starting to fall asleep when I heard a boy scream what sounded to me like "Mommy!! Mommy!! Mommy!!" It was from the bunk above me! I thought the whole camp must have been woken. I was able to calm him down and he fell back asleep in a minute. I figured he was homesick. Maybe he had a bad dream. I thought it was weird that he would scream bloody murder if he was just homesick. The next day went well. The boys made friends and had fun and fit in wonderfully. So I thought no more about his little panic attack. Until at about midnight. I heard the same scream coming from the same boy. I decided to let him work it out himself, this homesickness or whatever it was. Then I hear these words, "Mommy Mommy!!!! Please stop!! That hurts! Please Please!!! Stop!!" I was frozen. He was eight years old! He was not crying for his mom, he was crying because of his mom. What went on at his house every night that would cause him to wake up in a panic every night at midnight I could only imagine. Not cool! This happened every night for the rest of the week.
The experience kindled a tender passion in me for the campers there and made me think how blessed I am to be in a home full of love and tenderness. These kids get that kind of love for just one week every summer, if that.
I did get the chance to share the gospel with him one night and he accepted the Lord the last day of camp. He was given a Bible and he was excited to read it.
When it was time to get on the bus for the trip home, he refused to get on saying he did not want to go home. On the way back I told him that he had no reason to be scared anymore because he had the Holy Spirit living in him. I had him memorize Hebrews 13:6
Hebrews 13:6
So we can confidently say,
“The Lord is my helper;
I will not fear;
what can man do to me?”
Please pray that the Lord would comfort him when he faces abuse.
Pray that he would grow in his walk with the Lord.
Pray that he would be obedient and cooperative with his mom.
Pray that his mom would use self control and seek help.
Pray that through this boy's testimony his mom would also except Christ as her Savior.
If you could let me know you are praying for him it would be an encouragement to me.
Thank you
Andy
Comments
Aug. 25, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by NaeNut
hey! howz it goin? Check out me blog I finally have a new post and some pics!
~Sarah
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