This past week the three CFCI Summer Interns went to Storm Lake , Iowa Storm Lake
The interns went to Storm Lake
Below are some of our favorite memories from the week.
One of my favorite parts of Summer Sizzle was praise and
worship, which occurred in the morning when the campers arrived and in the afternoon
right before the campers left for the day. It was an awesome experience witnessing 90+
girls worshiping our Lord through song and dance.
--Rachel Beach
As the campers worked their way through The Beatititudes (Matthew
5:3-10) during their time at Summer Sizzle, it was Day 2 that had a personal
impact on me. At our debriefing on
Monday night the camp directors asked for a group to make the actions and skit
for the next day’s verse. Without
consulting the team I raised my hand and took on the responsibility, dragging
the entire Yellow Team with me on this venture. Jerica, Rachel, and Naomi accepted the choice
I had made for all of us soon enough and we started our planning.
Our skit depicted Jerica, a young girl who constantly
compared herself to those around her (Emily and Naomi). Jerica would hold up signs saying, “I’m not as…
as her.” The blank was filled with
popular, athletic, smart, and talented, but we all know that the enemy runs
with our imagination when it comes to comparisons and there are a million other
ways to fill in that blank. As she
lifted them, Jerica would hold them high above her head as Jesus (Rachel)
ripped the signs in half and at the end had a sign on His own.
Dear child of God,
I love you just as
you are.
Love, Jesus
Matthew 5:5 (The Message) “You’re blessed when you are content with
just who you are-- no more, no less. That’s
the moment you find yourself proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.”
What a powerful verse for young women to hear as they endure
their middle school years. What a
powerful verse for me to hear as a single, 22 year-old, recent college graduate.
What a powerful experience to be able to portray this verse, teach it to the
young women of Storm Lake, and reflect on whether I am living and feeling
content in just who I am— no more, no less.
--Emily Koopmann
Last week, the other two interns and myself were given
the opportunity to accompany our sister CFCI base in Storm Lake , IA
Upon arrival, we were under the
impression that we were going to be just observing the camp activities, taking
some videos, getting interviews and generally filling in gaps wherever help was
needed. What was so cool for me, on a personal level, was that God
clearly had bigger plans than that.
On the first day, we were told
that they were short on camp counselors; Emily and I were able to step up
and step into a more personal, interactive role as counselors for a group of
eight young fifth grade girls. I had no idea at that point that these
girls would impact me the way that they did in just five short days.
Each girl was so very different
from the other, yet so vibrant in their own way. We found, as group
counselors, that it was definitely a challenge to connect Spiritually, at least
on a deeper level, with a group of 10 year-old girls. But, as I reflect
back, I realize that God had put the other counselors and myself in their life
for a simpler reason: to let the love of Christ pour out of us into them.
What started as a quiet and
somewhat awkward group on the first day quickly transformed into a group full
of laughter and spunk. Each day, I could noticeably see the layers of
discomfort and shyness fade away from each of these girls, and that is when the
animation, story-telling and just life in general started to pour out of
them. It was, understatedly, an awesome transformation to witness and be
a part of.
What’s funny is my title was
“counselor,” yet I found myself in the company of eight young teachers so many times
throughout the week. These girls taught me a lot about myself and were
perfect little guides on where I am on my walk with Christ.
God is doing so many amazing
things in Storm Lake
--Jerica Kuncl
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