The beauty of seeing lives transformed
The beauty of seeing lives transformed
27 July 2018
Worship was an integral part of the entire Equip camp, and a focus of the formal dinner, pictured above. Photos courtesy Matt Seaman
In almost 20 years of being involved in youth camps, I’ve seen a few changes. From one or two kids from well-off families carrying around a brick (aka early Nokia phone), to pretty much every kid having some sort of electronic device in hand at every waking moment, and in most sleeping moments too!
Once upon a time every young person brought a sleeping bag, a pillow and a small carry bag of clothes for the week. Now we see the equivalent of entire bedrooms coming to camps, and more varieties of coffee machines than I knew were available. Actually, that could just be the leaders now that I think about it!
I remember when the biggest stressor for most teens was “who will invite me to the formal?” Now we need staff trained in counselling skills on camps, because life is tough and complex for teenagers who are dealing with serious life issues. For most young people, a formal date is now the very least of their worries.
But many things remain unchanged. Equip QLD was at a new venue this year, Watson Park Convention Centre in Dakabin, but leaders and campers alike, all 150ish of us, still arrived excited, anticipating all the week might hold.
Leaders still had to remind campers mid-week that while showers may not be compulsory, they are advisable, and we would all be thankful if everyone reacquainted themselves with some soap and water. And deodorant.
Mornings were early, nights ran late, and just like every year, some kid with a guitar and a newly formed fan club had to be chased away from our window at an unreasonable hour so that this old woman could get some sleep! And again, just like every year, I was staggered by the beauty of seeing lives transformed.
See, the thing that I love about Equip QLD, the thing that keeps me saying yes to coming back on staff, is the growth that we are privileged to witness.
Of course, there are new skills learned and developed in electives too. It’s amazing the way such gifted and talented leaders come alongside and share their knowledge and simultaneously encourage such a diverse group of young people. That stuff is gold.
But we as leaders also get to witness the friendships that develop, the growth in confidence, and most significantly, the faith encounters that take place.
At the beginning of Equip QLD 2018, I met a young girl who was very much in hiding. Life had dealt her some hard blows. She was a tough kid with a “don’t cross me” exterior, that housed an incredibly fragile heart. She met Jesus during the week and everything about her was transformed. She walked taller. She visibly softened. I watched her breathe easier. I joined in with an “amen” as she prayed over her friends one morning. She smiled, she laughed and her whole countenance shone at the realisation that she is loved, that she is valued, that she matters, and that she is a precious child of God.
And really, that’s what Equip is about. At Equip we always have a fun week. The final night’s worship event for family and friends is always great, but the beauty of seeing even one young life transformed with the love of Jesus, well, that’s the reason we do what we do, always.
Lieutenant Belinda Cassie is an Inner City Network Chaplain – Samaritan House Sydney.
Comments
Beautiful article full of heart thanks Belinda for sharing.