She Wore The Wrong Shoes...

Last week I was a cabin leader at El Rancho kids camp. This is something I've been doing every school holidays for the past year. It seems crazy to give up an entire week of holiday to go and look after kids for 5 days, doing everything you can to ensure THEY have the best week of camp possible. But despite what I have to give up to do this, I gain so much in return! God is moving powerfully through El Rancho kids camps. Every single time He has taught me things in different ways. I always come home completely shattered, tired, and worn out, but fully alive in HIM, my heart and soul refreshed, and ready to dive into life with Jesus by my side. Something HUGE for me this particular camp was prayer. I think we often underestimate prayer. I know I definitely don't put as much time into praying on a daily basis as I'd like to. Camp is a different environment, it's a place where prayer is constantly encouraged and upheld with most importance. I hope to carry that into my every day life between camps. For now though, I'd like to tell you of one of my most stand-out moments at camp. You might be wondering why this is titled "She Wore The Wrong Shoes"... Well here comes your explanation! It was Thursday afternoon of camp and my cabin group had Rock Wall as our activity. We headed over to the hall and got stuck into it. One of my campers had her first turn but then called me over, "Sonya, my shoes are too slippery, they have no grip and I can't climb in them!" Now to this I could have easily said, "Sorry hun, you should have worn different shoes, you'll just have to do your best!" But for some reason, that didn't even cross my mind. I told her that I would go and get her other shoes from our cabin, which happened to be all the way over on the other side of camp... On my way to the cabin I noticed my friend sitting on a bench by herself, she had her headphones in, eyes closed, and looked really drained and upset. Something about this picture pulled at my heart. I think when we have Jesus in us, we also have His compassion. I walked past, grabbed my campers PINK CONVERSE CHUCKS from the cabin and then headed back over toward my friend, who was still in the same position. This part is almost funny because I came up behind her and put my hand on her shoulder and she got a massive fright! But after that had calmed down I sat next to her. I can't remember exactly what I said but it went along the lines of, "What's wrong? You don't look OK. Can I pray for you?" She briefly told me that she was just feeling completely overwhelmed. She had, and I knew this, a really difficult mix of girls in her cabin, with two who were misbehaving a lot and were just straight up hard to handle. I'd actually had one of these girls in my cabin at a previous camp, so I knew first-hand a bit of what she was going through. After a little chat we bowed our heads, I put my hand on her, and I prayed. I don't know why me, or what it is, but God seems to be really working through me when I pray. Often I don't even know what I'm trying to say, the words just flow out, guided by the Holy Spirit. This was one of those times. We were sitting outside on a picnic table but all of a sudden we were in God's Presence, He was moving in power. At the end of this time of prayer, we both felt encouraged. I gave her a hug and headed back off to my group at Rock Wall. I could go on, as God continued to use me, and others, to help this girl with her journey at camp, but for this particular post I want to leave it here. I want to remind you that God can move and work through the SMALLEST things! Who would ever imagine that one girl wearing the wrong shoes would open up such a beautiful opportunity to minister to someone in need and show the love and compassion God has placed in me. WOW. 
"And to know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge, that you might be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us." ~Ephesians 3:19,20