Our Family Camp Restores Rattled Souls
As Rose Ledbetter walked around the lush hills and forests of Camp CUMCITO during Family Camp last summer, she felt at peace something she’d not experienced for years.
Rose’s husband died of cancer a few years ago, leaving her alone to care for their five children. Rose had always been the primary breadwinner, working up to 75 hours a week, while her husband kept track of the kids. Without his help and support, Rose was engulfed by sorrow and stress, and suffered a nervous breakdown. Unable to work, she was soon swamped by huge medical bills. Rose and the kids lost their house and eventually moved into a motel.
The kids went wild for a while, lashing out at society, Rose remembers. Within a few months, they had lost their father, their home, their friends, their school. So they just lost it.
After her children had a few brushes with the law, the court ordered Rose to find a more stable living environment. With nowhere else to turn, she came to our Family Shelter and joined the New Life Program. The entire family began to heal and start life anew.
Last summer, Rose jumped at the chance to attend our Family Camp, where shelter families spend a week at Camp CUMCITO.
The kids had never been to camp, and we never went on vacation, Rose says. To them, Family Camp was like a vacation. They had a lot of fun.
Since graduating from the NLP last fall, Rose and her children are living on their own once again, and, with the Lord’s help, healing more every day.
