God's Provision

"But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." Luke 18:16.

This was an incredible summer. Absolutely incredible in so many different ways that I cannot even begin to describe. Great new friends, a great camp location and many wonderful memories created.

The best of camp, though, was being able to speak words of life into kids lives.

I cannot even tell you how many hurting and broken children came to camp this summer. From absolutely horrible situations and circumstances. Abuse. Neglect. You name it, they came in with it. Terrible things that children should never have to go through ever.

These kids really took over my heart. Every single broken and hurting child. Every broken heart and tearful goodbye sticks with me to this day as I type and wonder how they are. How life is for them today. How it will be for them tomorrow.

To see them happy and laughing made camp worth it. To see every care they had in the world melt away and give them the opportunity to just be kids. To play and laugh and giggle and create and be loved. To be safe.

To be safe. That's the part that kills me. That children need to come to camp to feel safe. That should be provided at home with loving parents who make a safe place for kids to be so they can thrive and grow up happy and healthy. It sickens me to no end that there are children out there who are scared to be home, who are scared to death of what their parents are going to do them. It makes me angry and saddens me that children are neglected or abused. My question is how can anyone harm a child? How can someone neglect a child? How?

This is definitely a fallen, sick world we live in.

Thank goodness we have a Father who loves us so much. Thank goodness God's love stretches over and protects those who are too young to protect themselves. Praise God for camps like Northwoods where children can come and feel safe and be kids. A place where kids can play without fear. A place where children can feel loved and not be afraid when they go to sleep at night.

A place of hope. A place they can come and feel God's love and be taught about it and accept it for themselves. A little piece of Heaven in an otherwise hellish life.

I definitely plan on going back next year. God has planted in my heart a great love for forgotten and hurting kids. His precious children who need to know that someone cares about them.