Back in March I had to figure out and make a decision on where I would be spending the first part of my summer - after the school semester and before I moved into my apartment in July. I prayed about it and did some research and asked people for ideas. I decided on being a camp councilor somewhere in the southern part of Missouri. I applied to a few places (although I had already missed all the deadlines) and prayed that if this was what God wanted me to do He would open a door for me. Sure enough He opened the door for me to go to Wonderland Camp - A camp for physically and mentally disable individuals. I had my phone interview with them, got the job one week later and two weeks after the semester ended found myself at Lake of the Ozarks in Rocky Mount, Missouri for the next few weeks. I was excited about getting this opportunity to work in this type of environment and knew it wouldn't be easy, but approached it with an open mind. I learned SO much while at camp. Not only different ways of working with special needs and helping them, but just viewing things a little differently and growing in different areas of my life.
One of the first and big things that God taught me was patience. From the beginning of the year I have asked God to help me with patience and sure enough He helped put it into practice at camp. I use to think I was a fairly patient person, but didn't realise how much growing I still had to do in this area of life. I have grown so much in my patience and I know that by continuing to put it into practice it will follow me and help me in my life with coworkers, friends, family, patients, etc.
Being flexible was a big thing that I had to learn. Just because the schedule says crafts was at 9:30 didn't mean you were always going to get done with breakfast by then to make it to the activity on time.
I also learned to be less judgmental and not to think certain things about people who look to fit a specific stereotype. Just because someone has an emo look or is in a fraternity/sorority at college or is a homosexual or is just different doesn't mean that they don't have a calling to serve others. Everyone I worked with at this camp had their own life stories and came from a different background, but we were all there for one reason: To Serve Others. It was amazing to see the different kinds of workers interact with the special needs and love on them and be the camper's best friend for the week. I have made new friendships with my fellow coworkers as well as campers and it has been awesome.
The campers especially touched my life in so many ways. Each week we experienced a lot of hard times and we struggled, but we got through it. During each week I would look at my campers and think, "Lord, as frustrated as I get with these individuals You still love them for the way they are - the way You created them. You don't love them and see them differently than the way You love and see me." Now, how awesome is it to know that God's love is equal amongst His children? It makes me want to be even more loving and accepting of others.
With having to deal a lot with mentally and physically disable people, I would become tired in both of those areas. I found that I was able to maintain my strength and sanity in taking time throughout the day to talk to God and let Him know how I was feeling and that I couldn't do this alone and He always helped me through each day. I found that although I was constantly surround by people I still struggled with loneliness. My loneliness was cured by taking time to talk to God and pray and read my 'Jesus Calling' devotional.
In the end of my whole experience this past summer, I have absolutely loved and enjoyed all that I did and I learned so many things that will benefit me later in life as I enter the medical field. I have discovered that special needs is not my expertise. I do not mind working in this of environment, but I would not be able to make a career of it. I definitely developed respect towards the camper's caregivers. I
never put thought into how challenging it must be to take care of
someone who constantly needs supervision and assistance with daily tasks that we
take for granted. I greatly appreciate their calling into what they do.
At the end of my time at camp I questioned as to how God will use this experience later in my life. I know being in the medical field it will benefit me a lot, but it also got me thinking on whether I will someday have a special needs child or my husband will become disable or a dear friend of mine or sibling has a child with a disability - the possibilities are endless. The fact is: I don't know how or where God will use this experience in my life. All I know is that I am ready to face the future with whatever God brings into my life.
