Redeemer Youth and Children's Ministry

Courtney Lindler writes about her Camp HUGG experience

How do you know when you’ve impacted someone’s life? Or when you’ve changed someone’s life for that matter? My goal during the week of Camp Hugg was to make a difference in the life of at least one of the campers. By the end of the week, I might have done that but I realized my life was the one being changed. One of my favorite quotes and one I chose to lead me during the week is “Give as much as you can, take nothing back.” I find that making others happy is the sole of my own happiness. You see if you don’t expect anything, you’ll get more than you’ve ever wanted or needed. That’s what Camp Hugg gave me. Everything.

My anticipation to begin the week, couldn’t compare to the phenomenal feelings I got upon meeting and getting to know the campers. The week was filled with exhilarating adventure, steadfast challenges, life-altering moments, but most importantly; each one of us walking in the ways of the Lord. From kickball, basketball and our playground fun, dancing until we dropped and the hokey pokey five times plus one. The trip to the zoo; the attempt to find the gorillas, feeding the birds and acting like monkeys…just being kids is what it was. Swimming in the pool, playing chair volleyball, and singing karaoke. Arts and crafts, bible stories, hay rides and bus rides, capturing the bandits; nothing could compare to our week of HELPING UNDER GOD’S GRACE!

I can’t quite describe perfectly how God worked in such mysterious ways this week. God worked through us but more so the campers. They didn’t have to but they made us a part of their worlds. The way their hearts beat when they hugged you a million times a day; changing you into a different person each second. Their faithfulness to each on of us was so honest and pure. Their uniqueness, forever and true. Their strength to face the world with open eyes and open hearts. The way their weaknesses rarely showed. I was changed this week. Mitchell’s challenge of getting over his fear of thunderstorms, showed me how to be strong in times of difficulty and moments of fear. Jesse’s shyness taught me how it was okay to open up my heart and trust someone. To believe in Jesus, how would always be standing there beside us. David Cook’s ability to smile all day long, showed me how every minute of life has something wonderful to offer; to take advantage of every breath you take. David Moody’s way of saying “I love you” to anyone he came across, showed me exactly how God wants me to act every day. This week, it was miraculous the feeling of completeness I was left with. Seeing God’s light not only through the wilderness beauty of camp; but the magic flowing through the hands, the eyes, the words, the hearts of our campers was endless.

“I thank my God everytime I remember you” –Philippians 1:3. I might have impacted someone’s life, but I left deeply impacted. The connections were deep. Honestly to good to be true. But they were real. These campers were beautiful inside and out. The moments were passionate reflections of God’s love for each of us; a perfectly painted picture of how all the world should be.