the way i was taught

When I was a leader in training at camp (it was called counsellor in training at the time), we were taught some things that have stuck with me my whole life. When I go to camp these days, it seems so many of the staff have their focus in the wrong places (on themselves!) and on what they are entitled to. Drives me crazy...

Here's some things we did as CITs.

-we always went last. Tuck, mealtime, waterfront, game time, anything. Everyone always went first. Our food was cold. We were left with the worst choice in tuck. Often we were left out of tubing because there wasn't time. We learned to never win games. I think the hallmark of a Christian in the 21st century isn't love as much as it is humility. There's lots of people that love exceptionally. But to find a humble servant that bears others pain without recognition is impossible.

-we were there for 2 weeks and for the whole first week, we couldn't talk to staff. When I say couldn't talk, I mean we weren't allowed - at all. We were there to observe - that's it. We watched what they did and write stuff down about what we were learning. Then we'd talk about it that night. We learned to listen. Everyone these days wants the status of being a staff. But a good staff is someone that knows how to just BE and let their lives speak for itself.

-we weren't allowed in the staff room at all. In those days, they called us "pond scum". (Now that I'm older, I can't see how the director ever allowed that to happen.)

-we were always on the cleanup crew. Dishes were always our job. The staff never knew this but everytime we were in a cabin, the CIT leaders asked us to do the sweeping, the mopping, the scraping - whatever was necessary. CITs set up the games and then we took them down.

-we were told to have 3 conversations about God a day - 2 to campers and 1 to another CIT or CIT leader. No one knew this was something we were supposed to do but we journalled about it and then debriefed it later. Two things happened. I became very comfortable talking about my faith and I became much better at making any time with campers into quality time with them.

-once it became time to help (instead of watch), we were told to always be with our campers. There was no break in the day. I don't think it ever occurred to me to skip out an activity or a game. As a staff, I never dreamt of sneaking out at night to leave my cabin unattended. I wasn't paid a dime my first 3 summers at camp.

You know what was weird? The CIT program was always full.

i wanna be thankful

The other day I was driving the kids out to a park and they asked for their VBS cd to be put in. I wasn't thrilled about listening to this CD for the 5th time of the day. But at the playground, they were playing and singing, "I wanna be thankful". I never understood why parents were so impatient about their kids knowing Jesus. Until I became a parent. That made my day.