Dear Diary,
Last night after the Sports Dinner, I stayed in the dining hall with some of the other a-team spouses to help turn over the dining hall. It was an all hands on deck sort of night, and it actually reminded me so much of when I used to “moon light” in catering with Thomas (throw back to Melissa trying to make ends meet in 2016). We were helping out so that the work crew could be release early to practice doing a presentation at club. This night is one of my favorite thing that happens at Young Life Camp; the kids behind the scenes serving get to share their testimonies with the campers.
Week 1, Session 2.
They do this in a club format using what we call cardboard testimonies. A teenager identifies in a few words how they felt or who they were before a relationship with Christ on one side of cardboard, and who they are not contrasted on the other side of the cardboard. The WC work with WC bosses throughout the week to get ready for this night. They walk out on stage (with music going) with their old self side of the cardboard displayed then they turn it over and it’s a few words of how they have been made new in Christ. The new self replacing the previous identity. As they walk off stage it’s a new identity that comes from a life in Christ that is what the crowd is left with. It’s powerful. I definitely choked up– this is the Yahweh that I love and serve.
Jesus is making all things new just like in Revelations 21:5 each soul who comes into the fold are one of the beloved (eternally loved). Dozens of lives transformed were on display last night. Afterwards the camp speaker gave everyone an opportunity for to take 15 minutes of sacred space to process what they saw on display tonight and this week for that matter, alone outside in silence at sunset. It was powerful.
I’m honored and humbled that we get to serve behind the scenes this month.
Week 1, session 2.
Love,
Melissa
Compassionate Odyssey 