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Ministry at Myers
Lake through the eyes of the Myers Lake Program Intern…
By Janelle
Lind (Essexville St. Luke’s UMC)
For
as long as I can remember I have wanted to be a teacher. Being the Program
Intern at Myers Lake United Methodist Campground the last 2 summers has
helped crystallize this goal in my mind. Not only has it improved my
leadership abilities, but I have grown in my faith as result. There’s
something so rewarding about seeing a child laugh and smile on a bright
sunny day at camp or even when the rain may be keeping them out of the lake!
My job as I see it is to provide a safe and comfortable environment in
which kids can relax and just be themselves. By feeling safe they are more
confident and willing to try new things and be exposed to new ideas and new
people. The explorer inside each of them comes out a little bit more with
each passing day of their stay at the campground.
Throughout the weekend I make a connection with the kids through the various
games and crafts I plan and carry out. Then I help the kids open their eyes
to God through different activities and tie it all together in the
Children’s message each Sunday morning. Even just being at the camp fills
one with astonishment of the beauty of God’s creations. I try to have fun
with them throughout the weekend and show them the beauty and awe of the
outdoors then I try to connect my message to those shared experiences.
This job has provided me with the realization that I am a role model and
even the little things matter in the eyes of children. It’s the little
things they pick up on that means the most to them. What I find the most
rewarding is how they light up at the smallest chit-chat about topics they
are interested in. It’s the small things that people do which brightens
another’s day.
Whether chasing fireflies, playing in the sand with them, burning myself
with the glue gun, or getting attacked with water bombs during sponge tag,
there is a tie to God and his beautiful creation for the campers here at
Myers Lake. Teaching children that God is not just some mystical being they
get preached to about is important. He is all around us. In the joy of
catching fireflies, the sandcastle building on the beach, or the quite roar
of the family camp fire. Teaching them to both LEARN and LIVE as Christian’s
is fun and meaningful. That is why I enjoy working so hard to provide for
our guest’s as Myers Lake United Methodist Campground’s Program Intern.
With weekend
activities, special events, and worship experiences planned by the Myers
Lake staff, campers experience a flexible setting offering programs that
will fit into their busy lifestyles. The Myers Lake Program Intern is
integral to the success of these programs and the warm intentional
invitation to come experience the Christian fellowship these activities
foster.
Your Ministry
Jubilee Gifts designated for the Myers Lake Program Intern:
q
Partially underwrite the
salary of this key ministry position.
q
Provide for a modest supply
of text and print resources to equip the intern with.
Janelle Lind spent
the summers of 2006 & 2007 serving campers in her role as Program Intern at
Myers Lake. Janelle is currently a Junior at Aquinas College in Grand
Rapids, MI. She is studying Art and preparing for a profession as a
teacher.
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