Reminiscing from Redwood Creek Summer Camp 2015
It took one small face. And then everything made sense…
His name is Bryce*. Almost from day one, he caught
Joshua´s attention. “There´s something about that kid,” Josh told me, “He
reminds me of me when I was that age…kind of troubled and yet there´s a spark
inside of him.” Over the course of the week, Bryce´s reserved yet eager spirit
had won my heart too.
Friday night comes. Most everyone has dispersed from the
campfire area into the darkness. Bryce stays behind with head lowered. Thin
shoulders heave slightly with emotion. His counselor, Leif, sits protectively
close, visibly compassionate. Live embers still glow and spark in the fire
area.
Josh and I linger nearby. I know Joshua longs to rush to
him, but he considers for a moment. I am touched to the core by the small
tearful figure.
Joshua makes his way towards the two on the bench. From a distance I overhear snatches of an exchange among the
three boys who all know more than a thing or two about hard things in life—Leif
on one side, Josh on the other, both turned toward their younger brother who is
hurting. I hear Bryce say “don´t have any parents” and “don´t ever want to
leave camp.” They talk in quiet voices. I hear words of strength and comfort.
“Can we pray together?” Leif asks Bryce. The earnest young
eyes shine as he eagerly nods. How I wish we could take him home!
The scene is embedded upon my soul. Everything makes sense
now. He is the reason. Bryce is the reason. His young face makes every hour in
board meeting, every minute spent on grant applications, every early morning at
camp, all the rushing back and forth to the rappelling rock, every prayer
offered in preparation for camp…all of it…he gives it purpose! He´s the reason
why! He makes everything worth it a million times over!
Yes, every camper is equally amazing and important but with
unexpected passion I realize we did everything for Bryce. He is enough. Without
second thought, I´d do it all again…I´d do more…just for him. I´d heard our
girls´ director say several times that we would do it all for just one camper,
but now it clicks. I´d do it again…just for Bryce.
I look skyward, stars visible through the encircling trees.
Leif and Bryce have gone to bed. Josh sits a few feet away deep in his own
emotion. I can´t stop the tears that keep welling up in my eyes because…
God would do it all again. The cold nights, the days with little food, the profound exhaustion, the friends who betrayed, the death sentence,
the Father´s face stolen away. God sees my tear-stained face, forlorn and
needing a home…and He´d do it all again…just for me. I am enough. I make it
worth it.
*Name changed
