Sharing God’s Love

When the gift of camp is extended to a family, the impact can leave a lasting impression. Here’s a story of a special interaction where God’s love was on full display!

Andrew Hurst, Director of Youth Ministries at Black Diamond Camp, was working at the meet-and-greet booth during Adventure Day this past spring when a family of three approached him.

The mother abruptly asked, “Are you Andrew?”

He said with hesitance in his voice, “Yes, I am. How can I help you?”

The mother followed up by saying, “We came here to Adventure Day to specifically thank you in person for the kind gesture and opportunity that you are providing for our daughter to attend camp this summer.”

While speaking with the family, it was brought to Andrew’s attention that this exact mother was the one with whom he had an email conversation shortly before. In their email exchange, the mom mentioned how she had heard about Black Diamond Camp from other moms at her daughter’s school, so she registered her daughter for nine weeks of Day Camp. She was hoping to have her daughter attend, but due to unforeseen financial difficulties, she had to cancel all the scheduled weeks of Camp. Through the Kids 2 Camp Scholarship Fund, Andrew was able to bless this family.

“The mom asked if she could hug me, and as she did, tears flowed from her eyes,” recalls Andrew. The father also took time to thank him and give him a hug. They were both extremely grateful and thankful for the act of kindness and financial help from complete strangers. As the three of them talked some more, the parents shared with Andrew that they are planning on paying the Camp back. Andrew said, “There is no need! For your daughter to come to Camp and hear how much Jesus loves her is payment enough.” That sparked more tears and hugs from the mother.

All the while this heartfelt encounter was happening, their daughter was bopping around, excited to be at Camp. Andrew then switched his focus to her, introduced himself, and talked all about the fun she would be having this summer. She high-fived Andrew as the conversation was wrapping up and turned around happily, saying, “See you this summer!”

Andrew reflects, “This interaction was a very humbling experience for me. The idea that this family only came to Adventure Day to find me to say ‘thank you’ in person shows volumes of their character. I have had multiple conversations with families that we have blessed with a Kids 2 Camp Scholarship, and all have been thankful for the financial help. But this interaction, I will always remember. It was truly amazing to share God’s love with them.”

This little girl will be attending Black Diamond Camp’s Day Camp for all nine weeks this summer! Thanks to your compassionate generosity, kids like her can experience the joy of Camp through the Kids 2 Camp Scholarship Fund.

To find out more about how you can help a family in need attend Camp, click here.