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My name is Melanie, and I am a Children's Pastor at Tenth Church East Van in Vancouver. Our team arrived at Shalom Valley Camp on Monday and spent 5 days at Shalom Valley participating in a retreat for Cambodian leaders and their children. It has been a combination of joy and challenges for all involved.
One challenge we (both Khmer and North American) felt and observed during the children and youth program was participating in new experiences. Newness can feel uncomfortable; it can stir up feelings of nervousness, anxiety, and apprehension. Coming together at camp and building relationships felt uncomfortable. Hiking up a mountain in the heat and humidity was uncomfortable! Building a raft to keep afloat was uncomfortable, and half of us sank! But as we walked through the fear and discomfort, we needed to trust God and find courage in his strength. We had to to work together as a team.
Where is it comfortable to feel God's presence? Where is it uncomfortable to meet with God? My invitation to the youth on the hike was: how can you open up yourself to God and find him in the discomfort? It is in our discomfort that we feel God's presence in new ways, and our eyes are opened to His possibilities. We see the God "who can do more than we ask or imagine." (Ephesians 3:20)
As I reflect on our time at Shalom Valley, I feel grateful for each and every child, youth and their families. I'm grateful for the budding relationships, their willingness to open up and trust our team. I'm grateful for the games I played, the laughter we shared, and the tears that were shed upon our goodbyes.
Please pray for health on our team. A number of people have been sick. Please also pray for protection from the evil one. God's good work is being done here, so of course, there is spiritual opposition. Please pray for the children and youth that their faith would grow strong like a tree planted by springs of water.
