Most of us take for granted having our basic needs met. We have a roof over our head, clothes to wear, probably a job that pays us reasonably well, friends and family we can turn to, and at least three square meals a day. It's a privilege and a blessing to have all of those things, often in abundance, and to be able to share them with others. Some of fatherless kids Psalm68five sends to camp don't have many of these blessings that we take for granted.
For some fatherless kids, structure and three meals a day are things they can only dream of. One of the boys we sent to Camp Wilderness Ridge, when asked what his favorite part of camp was, said, "I liked the structure. We got up at a certain time. We ate at a certain time. We did activities at certain time and the food was really good." This boy has been homeless most of his life.  Many days he gets only one or two meals--and there are many others like him within our own cities.
The first day of camp, this same boy went into the cafeteria and said to the cafeteria lady, "Wow, we get to eat three meals today! Are we going to get to do this every day?" The cafeteria lady wanted to cry when she heard that. That is pure wonder at having enough, something most of us take for granted. These kids already don't have a father figure in their lives, a huge emotional loss, and some of them don't even have their basic needs met each day.
Later in the week, several of the sponsored boys were going to have to leave camp early. The caring cafeteria lady caught word and frantically tried to figure out how to pack food for them so they didn't miss that meal. They decided to stay for the closing ceremony and were very appreciative of the attention and care they were getting. One boy in particular said he never would never have experienced this on the streets; someone to provide for him and to give him shelter, food, and love. Needless to say, he loved camp and can't wait to go back.
There are many stories like these. Girls and boys are being impacted by their weeks at camp whether it's eating and being filled up, emotionally, spiritually and physically, getting to try new activities, being safe in a cabin with people who care about them, or being in a Christian community.
Matthew 25:36-40: Jesus says "I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me." Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothed you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.' "
The people who serve at camp are Christ's hands and feet to these kids. Â The mission of Psalm68Five is to introduce these fatherless children to our loving Heavenly Father and the hope, purpose and fulfillment that He brings so that they may never go hungry again.
If you would like to help us provide scholarships to the growing number of fatherless kids, please donate to Psalm68five using the link below. Â Every dollar donated goes directly to scholarships for fatherless kids.
Comments