Week 2 (Part B)

Week 2 ended well.  My favorite story from week 2 was about an ambiguously looking girl.
She looked like a boy, but was a girl.  She was quiet at the beginning of the week, standing outside most social groups.  Stuck with the safety of her cabin.  The first day, I believe someone mistook her for a male camper when reminding the campers who was along on the girl's deck.  Right away I'd spot her in a crowd and watch out for her... knowing that God has her best interests in mind, I wanted to extend her the same care and love that He would.

The night of the 'dance', when we line the girls up and the boys up and pair them off to square dance, I was in constant prayer... for many things but one of the main subjects was this particular camper.  I prayed that she would get paired up with the perfect male camper.  As the girls lined up and waited, I patted her on the shoulder.  I said, 'This is going to be great!  It's going to work out!'  She looked me straight in the eyes...(something I think she learned to do this week) and doubted, "really?"  "YES"  I pounded back.  "You are going to like this very much!  You will think this is fun!" I had peace.  With a little encouragement, to stay in the line, she re-positioned herself several times and settled on a spot near the back.  She was paired with a ruggedly handsome male leader who truly made her feel like a valued princess.  She laughed and smiled through the square dance and then at the dance through the ages, her square dance partner stayed near by.  The summer staff actually stood on the outside of the dance mob, on her other side.  Everywhere she turned, she was having fun with people who cared about her.  She was fully participating in the dance--singing, grooving and of course she ended up in the pool.

At the 'Say So' at the end of the week, she stood and said, "Hi, My name is Z*** and before this camp I was an atheist, but this week, I started a relationship with Jesus!"
Glory to God!  The way we treat people is so very important.  I know it wasn't just night 4 that made her feel like she belonged.  I am extremely thankful for her leaders, cabin mates, other leaders, summer staff and work crew who made her feel accepted.  The love of Christ flowing through all of these people became real to her.  What better way to show God's love than to include them as to say, "God loves you and accepts you better and more unconditionally than I ever could.  But I'm going to give it my very best shot!"  Makes me think about this... who can we show Christ's acceptance to?