This past week I spent every waking minute in the woods with 6th graders. I returned to civilization physically tired, yet seriously refreshed spiritually. Jesus' words about "unless you change and become like little children you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven" have new and significant meaning in my life. Wonder, joy, curiousity, honesty, and vulnerability only begin to describe the young people I observed and interacted with. I couldn't stop smiling as we ate meals together and sang campfire songs around flickering flames. I watched their deeply pure eyes gaze at bugs, plants, and flowing rivers with all the innocence of Eden. These kids loved to jump and run whenever they get the chance. They love to dance for no reason and sing songs to themselves when waiting in line when they think no one can hear them. They shared stories, personal stories about family and friends with me that made me laugh and some that nearly made me feel like crying.
The picture of the squirrel above is one of many animals I drew for the children on a dry erase board in the main hall. Each class period I had free time to read and prepare for the devotionals, I would sneak into the hall and draw a picture of a new animal for the kids. Soon, the rumor of the "Phantom Artist" circulated around camp with all the campers asking the adults "Are you the Phantom?". I loved it.
One short story. I led three groups campers through the "Path to Calvary"-- a 12 stage path through the green forest with stations corresponding with Jesus' journey to Jersualem, his crucifixion, and his resurrection. Each station offers a verse from scripture and a reflective question to journey or pray over. I must admit, I felt much of the exercise was too "deep" for the kids, questions like "What sins are you still in bondage too?" drew odd looks from the 12 year olds as if they were thinking "What does bondage mean?". Anyway, the path included a life-size cross and nails to touch and handle to give the participant a chance to feel a bit of what Jesus experienced. Throughout the entire path, I emphasized how all this suffering revealed just how much God loves us. I hoped some seeds were being planted.
As we stood near the end of the path standing beneath the tall, dark cross I looked at the children to try to discern if anything was connecting for them.
Some of the boys were picking up sticks, a few girls were giggling. But one blond haired, blue eyed little girl stood still, staring up at the looming cross, silent.
I could see her eyes were slightly misty; she was deep in thought. I ambled toward her and quietly spoke "Are you feeling okay?"
Her eyes stayed on the cross and she said, "Yes, its just...it's just that this whole story is really...just really touching."
I don't write this stuff like this because it sounds like "Chicken Soup for the Soul"--all mushy and smarsmy. Its not supposed to be received that way. I write it because I knew for a moment that God is more loving and more giving and more tenacious in his pursuit of us than I give Him credit for. Keep it real. By the way, the mountian lion below was the work of yours truly.
3 comments:
Shane, it is so wonderful that you gave of your time & talents to work with these kiddos! Teaching kids about their amazingly artistic Creator can be a challenge - I know from teaching on Wed.'s where I sometimes ask myself, "am I really smarter than a 5th grader?"! We look forward to what you will pass on to us from your week @Yamhill.
Our 2 weeks at Ourdoor school were amazing, as well. The first week (may5-9) we worked as staff for Santiam Christian School from Corvallis. Tamara, Lydia and I were there then. All week we heard so many polite thank yous from all of the kids. When we played the Salmon Run game there were several that were very frustrated about not being able to complete it. I told them to think about how the salmon population is affected by all these obstacles represented in the game. He sat a few minutes and I left. Next thing I knew, he was back in the game, and had made it through.
Last week we had several schools, with as many different teaching Philosophies. As I toured the different classes, from the Wildlife Biology (which I taught), to the Flying Squirrel challenge course element, I saw God working to unite differences for a single purpose. I saw your lesson on mercy, Shane, work on my heart through the week as difficult kids and parents presented themselves. I was humbled as God worked on me. But I was fully able to proclaim in the last Wildlife class that all things have a purpose on this earth. Ours was to love the Lord, our God, with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength.
God is good, all the time.
Colleen
smarmsy? good one.
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