My Chains Are Gone, I've Been Set Free

During the week of camp at Bit O' Son in Minnesota, almost all of the counselors came from Teen Challenge. For those of you who don't know, Teen Challenge is an awesome ministry to help recovering addicts.  It was definitely a different week with these folks.  It was an amazing week.  They have been through so much, they have come so far.  They were in a different place than most of our counselors that come to Camp Daniel.  There was this rawness about them.  Most of the time, there is a breaking point about midway through the week.  It seemed to happen right away because, they have already been broken.  They connected so well with the campers because of the struggles in their own lives.  They were some of the best counselors I have seen.  

Most of us come to camp with a lot of baggage and the walls that we build to protect ourselves from getting hurt.  Those walls were broken down.  They were ready to be honest and open about their lives.  It was a very unified camp, more than any I have experienced.  It made such a difference that they came together as a big group because they live together in community at Teen Challenge.  They all knew each other well when they got there.  They are all experiencing these things together.  Teen Challenge is this amazing ministry because there is a two year program that they go through and then during the third year, they go to ministry school.  

This was a good week for me because I was outside of my comfort zone, and that was good for me.  I am VERY comfortable at Camp Daniel.  I know many people and they are like family.  During this week I didn't know anyone and it forced me to talk to others.  It was hard at first, but they had so many beautiful stories to share.  

One gal told me that she was going to move into her own place soon.  With tears in her eyes, she told me all of her children had been taken away from her because of the mistakes she had made in the past.  She has five kids.  The youngest boy, about 5 or 6, lives with her mom.  She was hoping for a second chance.  She wanted to do things right this time.  I believe that God has given it to her.

Another gal told me that she was building a relationship with her father for the first time in her life since she has been in the program.  How awesome that there is just so much grace, and forgiveness, and healing that is flowing over their lives after so much pain, hurt, and brokenness.  God is good.  I pray that it continues.  

There is always a talent show at camp.  This group got up and sang "Amazing Grace", the Chris Tomlin version.  I love the chorus.  It has a double meaning for them.

         

My chains are gone

I've been set free

My God, my Savior has ransomed me

And like a flood His mercy rains

Unending love, Amazing grace

Never has there been a more beautiful song in such a beautiful moment.  This is a week I will not soon forget.