ABK Teen-coed experience...

Here we go...

Coming into this camp, I was bracing myself for girl-boy drama and raging hormones. To my suprise and relief, and I didn't find either. Instead I was so blessed to be placed in a cabin with an amazingly cool co-counselor, and a bunch of very diverse but amazing girls.

There were the girls in the cabin who had heard all about Jesus before, there were the home schooled girls, one girl with ADD, and others. It seemed to all work out for the best though, and everyone got a long great.

Wednesday night, one girl told us her story of how after being born, her parents didn't want her. So, her grandparents(who she called mom and dad) took her in. To this day though, they don't seem to spend a lot of time with her at all. They'll give her anything she wants but their time. She said she spends most days sleeping and night awake on the computer by herself. She had also begun to cut. We could see the scars.

On this night, all the girls were gathered around as this girl shared her story. Everyone tried to help, and after she said that she had started to cut, one of the quietest girls in the cabin spoke up, and spoke well. We soon learned that she used to cut as well. And she had realized that it's a silly thing to do, cause it doesn't actually make you feel any better.

Wow, two girls ages going into grade 9 and grade 10 had cut themselves. And not just once. The one girl who had done it, had done it a good number of times.

The quiet girl who spoke up told me of her story later on the week. She only wore black, and she said she did this only because she liked the colour. I know from talking to this girl that she isn't the type to just lie about anything. I went on to find out that she has never had a father. Her father left her and her mom for crack when she was born. She used to live in Quebec but they moved about 7 years ago because her mom was being forced into robbing banks. (It seemed like her mom was involved in that sort of thing often.) She had also been sexually abused when she was younger, and she had lots of friends addicted to drugs. She said that she herself was addicted to drugs as well, and she smokes cigarettes now.

Wow, the stuff some kids go through.

In spite of all of this, I really experienced the power of prayer this week.

The week before this- at Owen Sound- I was strongly encouraged by a volunteer from the church there- to pray for an older girl spiritual mentor, an older sister in Christ, so to speak. So, I put this request on my prayer this that week, and God answered that prayer really quickly.

The first day at ABK, I got to meet my co-counselor, Hilary. She's a 23 year old woman with a huge heart for Jesus and Christian missions in the Islamic community. We clicked right away, and spent much time talking about everything and anything. I really looked and still look up to her real, genuine faith, and her passion of God. It was so encouraging and inspiring.

On the last day, I asked her to be my spiritual mentor. She was so excited she clapped her hands, and I was so excited to do, what an answer to pray right away! Thank-you God!! And Thank-you Hilary for being the person you are!!

I continue to pray for the girls and boys at this camp. It was really exciting to see young men and women starting to ask big questions about life and God. Continue to pray for the followups of this camp and the rest, and may more homeruns be hit for JESUS!!!