God's Love Comes Through!
What makes Camp CUMCITO (City Union Mission’s Camp in the Ozarks) a life-changing experience for inner-city and impoverished kids? The safety and security of our quiet, rural campground? Fishing and roasting marshmallows for the first time? Singing worship songs?
"It’s the time, and it’s the love - God’s love - coming through the counselors," Alana Young answers. "The kids know when someone really, truly cares about them and these counselors really do care."
Alana, who will be a sophomore at the University of Missouri this fall, started attending camp when she was 14. Younger brothers AJ, Aaron and Alex have been to camp, too.
Growing up in the inner-city, these siblings understand the challenges many of our campers face. But they consider themselves blessed. They have a mother and father who love them, care for their needs and equip them with God’s Word. For them, a week at camp served to strengthen their walks with the Lord.
"We dove deeper into the Bible and talked a lot about issues kids encounter these days," Aaron, 17, says. "Camp made me more strong and courageous for God. It made it easier for me to minister to kids back at school; I didn’t feel weird because I was talking about God."
Both Alana and Aaron now return to camp as counselors and staff to be examples for other inner-city kids.
"As a counselor, you know you are planting a seed to someone learning and knowing about God," Alana shares. "His love through me may impact their outlooks on life. They may not remember my name, but they’ll remember the love."
"At camp, the kids can let all their burdens go: dad not being home, mom hitting them," Aaron adds. "They get away from whatever they are going through. Here, kids grow relationships and get a sense of love and family."
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I’m gonna soar like an eagle, fly like a bird. Words and music by Bob Kilpatrick |
