Heart For Missions Story - Rebekah

My first experience with camp was when the Bates family came to my church to visit and speak in October of 2016. I honestly don’t remember much of what Johnnie talked about, considering that I was only 9. But in the summer of 2017, my older sister Rachel became apart of the summer staff team. She had caught the “camp bug” and of course wanted me to go as soon as I had the chance. I told her I would probably never end up going since the week that our church group always spent at camp was the same week as our family vacation. Well, eventually it worked out that I did end up getting to visit camp! Because of scheduling complications my Pastor Brad, my youth pastor, ended up switching which week we went to camp. So my first time actually going to camp was mission week 2 in 2023.

During that week I served in a variety of ways, including chopping and stacking wood, painting the newly rebuilt Beavers cabin, and laminating the theme verse sheets that would be hung around camp. We also spent some time throughout the week in chapel, worshipping and hearing testimonies from different staff members. There was also set aside time to spend by ourselves each morning to do our own devotional/bible reading and study. I don’t often get to spend time in quiet reflection but that week offered the opportunity to learn how to just sit and reflect which I will be forever thankful for.

Another highlight of my time at camp during the summer was getting to meet people from all over the United States and Canada. During our mission week we had groups from California and Illinois there with us. The friendships that I made that week will forever hold a special place in my heart.