I recently had the opportunity to go with my hometown’s youth group to volunteer at the church camp that I grew up going to (Shoutout Lazy F). My parents are the youth group leaders, and my sisters are both in high school so it was a family vacay and my only time off from work for most of the summer. I was beyond excited to return to my beloved camp, see familiar faces and to give back to a place where I grew up and grew in my relationships and my faith. This week was different though, because our Christian youth group was volunteering at a Christian camp, yet the campers they were hosting that week were all kids that were coming for a secular week.

This week of camp is called Operation Purple, and it is an opportunity for children who have had or currently have a parent in the military. The camp gets funding to allow these children to attend for free, which makes the numbers soar, but the need for extra help increases. I found myself wondering how are we going to tactfully and lovingly talk about Jesus with these eight to 10-year-olds when there is not even an opportunity built into the schedule to start the conversation?

Something that is a challenge for myself, and as I have learned from others as well, is talking openly about my faith. Even to little kids, it made me nervous at the thought of them being uncomfortable or not wanting to discuss what church they may or may not go to. I was excited for the opportunity to push myself this week and try to broach the subject with an eight-year-old, to help me in taking steps into bringing up faith in more regular conversations.

However, I never ended up having a direct conversation with any campers about God or even Easter eggs, but I did learn more than I expected. Every day these children who had every reason to be sad or bummed about missing mom or dad were more than excited to go outside and have an amazing day at camp. The children were full of energy and were immediately loving towards us, a dirty group of kids joining them after working in the forest. This week was truly the epitome of Christ showing his love through the children, and our group doing our best to be His hands and feet.

I had an opportunity to work with a small group of kids making friendship bracelets. I was teaching kids how to braid or do different patterns with the different colors they thought their new camp off would like best. There was a boy at my table who was making his bracelet without any help at all, and as I watched a bit more I realized he was actually crocheting his string. I was amazed at this eight-year-old’s skills and I asked him if he would teach me how to do it once he was done with his. As he taught me with great patience, he took my hands and moved my fingers as I tried to remember the weaving pattern, and he was just as excited as I was when I finally was able to get the hang of it.

Making the bracelet together made me think about how sometimes in life it is okay to let someone else, who may be completely unexpected, take our hands and lead them in a different direction. I also was inspired to be more confident in taking the hands of others when they are in need. This week helped me in realizing I should let go and let God take my hands and lead them where they may.

“For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you” Isaiah 41:13.