One thing I have learned in my time with Forgiven Ministry is that every “One Day With God” camp is the same, and yet every “One Day With God” camp is always different.
This week, we are coming off our Texas camp at the Bell Unit in Cleveland. We had 15 dads, 21 children, 54 (record low) volunteers, and a myriad of obstacles. It was a great camp. Several people pivoted their lives to Jesus, relationships were strengthened, reconciliation was at work, and, most importantly, God was glorified. Many thanks to our amazing Texas volunteers. It was a joy to meet each of you!
Despite the success, the fiery darts of the evil one were evident. Things began with a torrential downpour, strong winds, the threat of flooding, water covering the streets, a flooded entrance to the prison, a locked gate at the back entrance, and a train blocking that exit for over 40 minutes!
Additionally, the bathroom for the children and volunteers at the prison was locked. A couple had to leave when the sheriff informed them that the dam would be opened, which would flood the RV park where they were staying. Another volunteer was delayed due to a downed fence and a loose cow. That night, Mitch and I were locked out of our hotel rooms due to a power outage. Our ladies in the Basketball Program had a 3-hour wait for a reserved rental car, and one of them had to be taken to the ER with a sprained ankle BEFORE their program. Trust me, there’s more. If our mission wasn’t so critical, it would be laughable.
Clearly, our spiritual antagonist made an effort to bring his A-game, but what is that to the God who spoke everything into existence? God always finds a way! I remember Friday afternoon before we headed out for the day, the dads were both nervous and excited, and there was the threat of rainwaters north of us that were headed our way. If the river continued to rise, as anticipated, it may very well have canceled the camp.
So, before we headed out, all the dads and volunteers gathered in a big circle in the middle of the gym and prayed. On the way home, Scottie also prayed with Mitch and me over the phone. Among other things, Scottie prayed that we would drive through that flooded front gate road in the morning “on dry ground.” I distinctly remember that phrase, “on dry ground.”
As expected, the next morning, the Chaplain phoned early and told Mitch that he had checked things out. We were good—the roads were clear. Several hours later, we caravanned to the prison from the host church, and as we drove through that gate, I purposefully looked out the window at the road. You guessed it—we were headed over the once-flooded road “on dry ground.” Things like that shouldn’t surprise us, yet sometimes they do. May we always remember, at the end of the day, God’s got us!
The Lord is clearly at work in this ministry, and I feel we are about to hit another gear. The challenge for us is to keep ourselves out of the way, cloth ourselves with humility, stay on task, preserve the ministry’s brand as it was given to Scottie, keep Jesus as our True North—and dream. If we’re going to dream, let’s dream big!
You are loved!
—Les
