This week was our last week of camp and so much happened
that I would love to tell you so I will try to not make this too long!
In class we made Jello, No-Bake Cookies, and decorated
cupcakes! None of them had ever made No-bake cookies before so at first they were
hesitant to try them but after I convinced them to they all wanted more!! On
the last day of camp we decorated cupcakes and I talked to them about how God
created them with Love, beauty, intelligence, goodness, ect. and no one is the
same. We are all unique just like the cupcakes they personalized with different
colors of frosting and designs! I don’t know if they understood my point or not
because they were mainly focused on the sugar but it was fun and a great way to
end class!
It’s sad to think that camp is over and I will probably
never see these kids again but I know God has great things in store for all of
our futures. The hardest part for me saying goodbye to them was wondering “who
is going to continue to set examples for these kids? Who is going to love them
daily? Who’s just going to give these kids the attention that they deserve?”
and it’s hard to think that some of them possibly won’t get that until camp
peace starts again next year. I learned last week that Santa Rita has really
bad drug wars and most people that live there are or know of someone who is
involved. That’s why these kids can afford private school and seem better off
than others. But in reality they have the material items they want but they don’t
get the support and love they need all the time. One girl’s father died a
couple of years ago because he was involved and this sweet little girl is only
13! Another girl who’s about 8 lives with her grandma because her parents split
up and live in another town and work all the time. I wish they all knew how
special and important they are and I hope I showed them the love of Christ this
summer and gave them hope for their future. I know some days though I felt like
they were showing me more love. On Wednesday we went to El Jerhal (a water
park) and took the kids. We were split up and each in charge of a certain
amount of kids who had to stay with us at all times and sweet Diego when he
found out he wasn’t on my team was so sad. So the intern who was in charge of
him asked if he’d rather be on my team and since only one girl on mine showed
up we let him switch. His face was soo happy and sweet when she said “ok you
can go be on Cynda’s team”. Another time was when sweet Jennifer came up and
gave me a hug and a picture she drew in Bible and said she was going to miss me
and little Josue gave me a hug and said something “mucho” as he left. I’m
assuming something about liking camp a lot or class a lot or who knows what,
but it was sweet! All I know is that I will miss them and I know that God will
give them many more opportunities to cross paths with Christians who will show
them love and treat them the way that they should be.
Today I went to La Pintada (a small village outside of
Copan) with Rachel and Abigail. We took food and books and just enjoyed the
children’s company there. First we gave them all crackers with peanut butter
and then we sat them down and read to them. It was great! I love La Pintada because
it’s so beautiful, laid back, and quiet! One thing I love about children is you
don’t have to know them for very long before you can seem like their best
friend. I was sitting out on the futbol field and one boy that I was randomly
tickling came and just sat on my lap for the longest time meanwhile another
little boy would come up and tickle me and another girl was playing with my
hair! Children are just so open and full of life!!!
Tomorrow we have debriefing all day and then Monday we pack
up and deep clean our house before heading to the airport on Tuesday. I can’t
believe time has flown by. It seems like yesterday I didn’t know my way around
this town and I didn’t know anybody’s name but now our paths have crossed and it’s
time for God to take us somewhere else.
Thanks so much for praying for me, the interns, the camp
kids, and overall UPH while I was here. Continue to remember that there are organizations
and missionaries all over the world that continue to need your prays along with
precious children.
One thing I want to leave you with was last night I was
sitting at team time and one of our youth leaders said “I’m glad I don’t have
to wake up at 5:30 a.m. for camp anymore but it’s also sad because I feel like
I don’t have any purpose to wake up for” and immediately I said “But you do,
you woke up every day this summer to go to camp and serve God and now every day
for the rest of your life you can continue to serve God”. I don’t know where
that came from and I didn’t even realize what I said until after but it’s true.
We should serve God no matter who we are and where we are because that’s what
we were created for.
Me and two other girls gave a devo. A couple of weeks ago
and one verse that I shared that has just stuck with me ever since is Hebrews
6:`10 “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have
shown him as you have helped his people and CONTINUE to help them”. Remember
that it’s your job daily to serve God in whatever way that looks like to you
because you do have a purpose in life!
