The Power Behind the Cross

First session is complete. Although I was only there for two days, I cannot tell you how fast it went by. I wish that I could have been there more with the campers, but with the little time I had with them I learned how accepting and welcoming they were. Every time I left and then returned, my girls would greet me with shouts of joy and then share with me everything that I had missed. To know that they noticed my absence truly touched my heart. On Thursday night late in the evening we began what is the most powerful part of the session: Cross Devo. For the first time, I played a role in the devo. While selected members have lines to say, I was simply a member of the crowd. I was told how this could be a difficult time for me as I was one of the people shouting insults at Jesus. I honestly wasn't worried and thought I was mentally prepared to play this role to the best of my ability. The angrier we sounded, the more realistic it would seem to the kids. Yet, as the time came for me to cry out "Crucify" I was dumbstruck by how utterly difficult it was for me to say it. I shouted as I could, but on the inside I was torn. Never has one word seemed so difficult to say. Tears ran down my face as I watched as my friends reenacted the story of the Cross. My friends were the ones playing the good people, the bad people, and even Jesus. As I looked around, I saw just how powerful this message was to the kids as well. While I was struggling on the inside, I saw by the kids' reactions that the story of Jesus was finally coming to life. Seeing their reactions, their solemn faces with tear-stained cheeks, helped justify my feelings. I hope that the following devos are just as powerful. Though I do pray that the wood won't be as soaking wet as it was, preventing the fire from the powerful blaze I was used to. This final part of the session is by far the most powerful. Nothing brings the story to life more than this reenactment. I hope that throughout the rest of the summer that every single camper came experience the cross and truly see the pain that Jesus went through for their own sake. It is my prayer that as we continue the summer that we are able to reach kids, and plant seeds. I know that God is the gardener and he will reap the harvest, but for now I'm the poor farmer simply planting seeds. God will oversee our mission, but I pray that you all will pray for our mission.