Never Forget

Chapter 15 (Krista)

It's been a little over a week since me and J's first date. He's been meaning to take me on another one but we've both been so busy getting ready for Camp. They asked me to help out the first and second week. Each day of the first week I get to assist with different age groups. Monday I work with the toddlers. Tuesday I work with the Pre-schoolers. Wednesday I work with the Kindergardeners. Thursday I work with the first through third graders. Friday I work with 4th through 6th graders. Ms. Linda wanted me to try out all the age groups so I can choose the one of them I work with best.

I love these kids. All of them are such a joy to be around. They are so smart and funny. Everyday had the same schedule. The kids would come in pretty early and we would serve them breakfast. Then they would go off into their different classes and learn about the importance of prayer and how to do it. Then everyone would come back out and we would do praise and worship. After that, we go back into the classrooms and each teacher would teach them a lesson whether it was about the love of God, how to live a Christian life, or the presence of God. Then, we serve lunch and after lunch we have game time. After game time we have another session of praise and worship and the kids get to share with everyone what they learned that day or if God spoke to them in any way.

It was so amazing to see the way that God touched their lives. I learned so much from all of the kids and the counselors. J and I got to do games together and we had so much fun with it. I began to see God in a different light. He isn't this huge judgemental being that condemns people to hell every time they mess up, He's a loving God that desires all men to be saved. He's not something that's far off and distant. He's close, it doesn't take a lot to reach Him. Something inside of me is changing and I'm not exactly sure how to describe it. I just want more. I want to know more about God.

Second week started on Tuesday and ended Friday. We had a meeting and I learned that the schedule is the same as the one for the kids except they don't separate by age groups they all stay together. I also learned that second week tended to be more intense than first. They said things got a little crazy but in a good way. I was very curious to see what they meant.

Tuesday came and I was both nervous and excited. I didn't really know what to expect. J tried his best to expain it to me but at the end he said "you'll have to see it for yourself". I helped to make and serve breakfast. The cafeteria was filled with laughter and chatter. Most of the kids looked happy and excited. Some of the kids looked like they were just going through the motions. "Hey" an unfamiliar voice said. I looked to see a boy only a couple inches taller than me with blond hair and bright blue eye. "Hello" I said. "Are you a counselor or a camper?" He asked. "Couselor." I replied. "Oh. That's cool. What's your name?"
"Krista."
"I'm Cody." We stood in silence for a bit then he said "My mom told me that if I don't make at least one friend this year she's gonna take away my phone until camp next year so I'm just trying to be less of a loner." I chuckled. "I see. Let me help you." We walked over to some of the seniors in the youth group that J introduced me to. "Hey guys. This is my new friend Cody. He's a little bit shy so can you guys do me a huge favor and hang out with him?" I asked them. "Of course. Anything for you Krista." One of the guys said. I smiled brightly "Thanks. You guys are awesome." As I was walking away I heard them start to ask Cody questions about where he is from and how many years he's been to camp.

After brakfast was prayer. We learned about the importance of prayer and the effect it has on our lives. "Now we're going to take this time to speak to God. One on one and see what he has to say to us." The woman leading prayer said. She had short straight brown hair and wore a floral shirt and jeans. Some people moved to the front of the room towards the stage, some people went to the back and others stayed in their seats. A lot of them paced back and forth. Some people were writing vigorously in their notebooks and others were crying. I was very confused and didn't quite understand everything going on.

After prayer was praise and worship along with morning service. Then there was lunch, games, free time, dinner, and then evening service. This was gonna be a long week.