[Brown bag - 18 March, 2009.]
Hey guys! I hope you’re having a great time at Camp Adventure! I loved it - both when I went as a camper, and last year, when I was an AIMer. It’s a lot of work, and it’s exhausting, but I think that what you gain from those days is worth every bit of energy you spend. I encourage you to put your whole heart into what you are doing, and keep your eyes wide open for what God is teaching you. Sometimes He uses the smallest things to teach us what we most need to learn, and that is a beautiful thing.
I was trying to think of a cool story from South Africa to share with you, and I couldn’t really come up with anything big. I didn’t see any lions walking out and about, there weren’t any sharks the last time we went to the beach, and the roof on our hut doesn’t leak anymore. (Just kidding about the hut - we live in a nice, second-story flat. One that doesn’t leak.) Most of the stories I can think to tell you are about the little things, the tiny moments and surprises that make you stop and be grateful for the life you have.
One of these moments happened just the other day. At the end of our hallway, there is an older Indian (Not Native American, but from India!) lady. There are always these wonderful food smells coming from her flat, and sometimes she leaves her door propped open and we see her doing laundry. Sasha and I were coming home just a few days ago, and we were laughing and carrying on about something, and we saw her. The three of us exchanged the usual, “Hey, how are you? Good, thanks!” As we turned to walk away, she said, “I’ve been missing you guys!” It was just a really neat thing to happen. I mean, we’ve never even really talked to her before - she’s only heard us being loud in the hallway (a hard habit to break for the typical American). I guess she hadn’t had her door propped open the last few days, or maybe she’d been out visiting a friend or something. Either way, it was a nice surprise to hear from a stranger that we’ve been missed...or even that we had been noticed.
I just think that those surprises, those little things that happen even though you don’t expect them, can be the most wonderful moments in your life. Sometimes they change how you see people around you, sometimes they change how you see yourself. And sometimes, they can even change your entire life.
Like the Samaritan woman at the well, in John 4.1-26. This is a story we all have heard more than once - and for good reason. There are so many lessons to learn from these 26 verses! But as good as it is for us to read and to draw wisdom from, it was REAL for one woman. This lady - a social outcast who had been married five times, a woman who was living with a man she wasn’t married to - had come to the well at a time of day when the other women weren’t there. She didn’t want to have to face them, or face anyone who knew her past and how she was choosing to live. She just wanted to get water, and to get it alone.
But then she got a surprise - there was a man there. Jesus, the gift of God, the Giver of eternal life, the Messiah. He was there, and He wanted water...from her. As they talk, she discovers that He knows more about her than she knows about herself. But He doesn’t condemn her - He makes her curious about the truth, and He teaches her. That might have been the best surprise of all.
I just want to encourage you to watch for those surprises in your life. They’re there - notice them and be thankful. Things happen in this life that are unexpected, and they mess up all your plans, and they can make life more difficult for a while - but they can also change your heart. They can change everything. Never forget that God is in control of it all, that He’s faithful and that He keeps His promises no matter what changes in life.
Enjoy the rest of your Camp Adventure! Take too many pictures, laugh too loud, spend time with your friends, learn more than you thought possible. And watch out for those surprises - they’ll get you every time. :)
Love,
Tara.
[shout outs]
To Lily - You are the wind beneath my wings, and the guardian angel that I accidentally ran over that one time on the way to Hart. I love you.
To Ginger - I do miss your shoulders and elbows! Awkward...but you know what I mean.
To Jewel - I love seeing pictures of you and your smile. Our small group was the best. That night we carved pumpkins? Oh, the most fun! I love you. Keep Steve out of trouble.
To the South Africa team - I heard good things about you guys. Anybody that can make Diana laugh gets points in my book! Hope you guys are staying sane. Enjoy this time.
To my classmates - Can you believe it’s been a year since we had our Camp Adventure? Yeah, me neither. What a ride it’s been. I’m still praying for you! Remember when Charles Speers talked about red hot lovers?
To all the campers considering AIM - Think about it. Don’t rule it out. It’s a crazy thing that can take you crazy places and teach you crazy lessons, if you’re open to it. Crazy and beautiful things can happen. Be open, willing, and ask yourself what’s stopping you. You are in the prayers of many.
To Ralph - You are a good man, and a good example. Thank you for everything. PS: I emailed you!
To Pat - Have you ever watched the show “Reba?” Mike and I think that you talk like the dad on that show. You maybe should check it out. Miss you, Patricia.
To Barb - You have more strength than can be measured! Hug Amy for me, and know that you are appreciated and loved. I once heard someone describe you as the ray of sunshine in the dark basement - it’s kind of corny, but so true. Oh how I miss you! Hold down the fort. :)
