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Chief Support Officer: Todd Seibt
Phone: 989.262.7387
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Fax: 989.652.3916
Mailing address:
P.O. Box 329
Frankenmuth, MI 48734
Physical address:
160 S. Main
Suite 14
Frankenmuth, MI 48734
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2011 Camp Hope Reflections |
What Would You Say?
Each year Lutheran Homes of Michigan hosts Camp Hope, a grief support camp for kids who have experienced the loss of a loved one. We wrapped up our seventh camp in mid-August, yet since returning from camp, I’ve been distracted — if not consumed — by thoughts of Camp Hope and my “campers.”
 As a camp counselor for 3 days each year, I take great joy in being a part of something to support these kids who have all lost someone they love a lot. Yet, my heart aches for them as they mourn tremendous losses and face life without a person who they thought would always be there for them.
What do you say to a 13-year-old boy who is having a hard time adjusting to life with his foster family since his mom died? What do you say to a 14-year-old girl who is living with guilt because one of her last conversations with her mother was a petty argument? What do you say to a young man who doesn’t have a mom or dad to help guide him through selecting a college, composing a resume and completing an application? What do you say to a 12-year-old boy who can’t bring himself to shed tears for his dead father who was so abusive in life that the boy bears permanent physical and emotional scars?
It’s a challenge for sure, but the point of Camp Hope isn’t really only about what we should or could say to these kids. It’s also about what they say to each other. Even though each child’s story is unique, they understand each other in a way no one else can because in some way they’ve each lived through it, too. They are uniquely prepared to hear each others’ stories, and they bear a level of understanding and empathy because of the losses they each have experienced.
You and I know there is one person who understands what these kids have experienced. Jesus has been through it. John 11:35 tells us simply, “Jesus wept.” He wept when He learned about the death of His friend, Lazarus, and saw his friends and family members mourning. Even though Jesus knew what the outcome was going to be, He still wept.
Not all of our camp kids know Jesus. They might know about Him, but they might not have a relationship with Him. So Camp Hope comes along and brings these kids together who have experienced similar losses. And Camp Hope provides a context for how Jesus is the ultimate understanding friend and listener who is always there — even when the rest of our earthly support network cannot be.
 And sometimes these kids minister to us. At the close of camp, 7-year-old Robert touched my soul. When he was returned to his mother, I told her how much I enjoyed his bright, outgoing personality. She simply said, “Robert, I’d like you to pray for Mister Al.” In a flash, Robert grabbed my hand, closed his eyes, and bowed his head. He poured out an eloquent prayer of blessing, healing and encouragement that would have made any minister shout praises to God.
Camp Hope is not just about what Lutheran Homes does “for” these kids. It’s about what we all have opportunity to do “with” each other because God is present and He is bringing people together to love and support each other. If we don’t do this, who will? It should be us.
Thank you for your part in making another year of camp possible. I know that Kylie, Tyler, Jeff, Cody, Dayne, Robert, and all of our other kids would thank you, too.
God bless,
Camper Al
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