Summer Camp is Calling
Summer camp has a way of bringing people together. In Alaska, many short-term teams come from the Lower 48, as we call it, to be camp counselors. Is God calling you to impact a life this way? Do you feel overwhelmed or unqualified to be a camp counselor? Before you decide, listen to one young woman’s story. She spent a week volunteering at a bible camp in a remote village and was amazed to see God work to open up her cabin and unite them over a not-so-common experience.
“I think my favorite thing from camp was when we did the sauna. It was the changing point for my cabin at camp. We all went in slightly uncomfortable, but we ended up leaving as sisters. Up until this point, all the girls were mostly quiet during cabin devotions and cabin time, and I thought that no one was ever going to open up no matter how hard my co-counselor or I tried. I wasn't sure how much I should push because I wasn't sure how much would be acceptable.
At the sauna, the girls finally opened up, and it was all because my co-counselor decided to splash some water on the girls when they least expected it. From then on it was like a whole new group of girls. We were laughing and playing and throwing pitchers of water all over one another while both in the sauna and in the slew. Just like teenage girls back here in the lower forty-eight, we bonded over a game and by just having fun.
I think this experience, along with many other things at camp taught me that although we come from very different worlds, we are still the same and God's gospel can reach us anywhere we are because we are all still his children no matter where we come from.”
As Christian workers, we can quickly wish that the people we are witnessing to will bond over an open Bible or a shared message from the pastor. Or we think that we have to have some fantastic skill to impress them. However, especially in a culture built on actions, barriers must be broken with love and vulnerability. With the sauna experience, the girls were able to laugh and see the joy in one another in a silly way, which led to more openness in the more serious times of camp later on.
Join us in praying for God to bring us the needed counselors this summer. Maybe you will be one of them? Learn more by exploring our opportunities.
Additional Posts
Choosing a Missions Organization: Why SEND International Stands Out “Why should I be a missionary through SEND International?” Jenna, a new missionary in Eastern Europe, shared with us what she appreciates about working with SEND. The highlights for her are: - Devotion to prayer - Diligence in communication - Commitment to development - Intentionality in accountability Prayer “Back in September of 2022, the Lord reconnected me with SEND after I had met them a year prior at the Moody Bible Institute. However, before he would sign me up for anything, my Missions Coach encouraged me to pray. He said something to the effect of, "I know that you've been praying on your own for a long time. But as the Church, we are not called to walk alone. So, you and I won't talk for about a month unless you have questions. I want you to go pray with 5 or 6 others from your church about where God is calling you." That October, more than 10 friends prayed with me and we saw God answer as He directed me to Romania. From February 2024 to November 2025, I had the pleasure of being a part of team meetings in Romania with my SEND colleagues. Our meetings were four hours long, two for prayer and two for business. This has been the minimum for our team. There are also prayer meetings with the local churches we partner with, among smaller groups within our team, of course prayer with many of you across the pond, including those at our US office. The organization was built, has been sustained, and continues to run on prayer. This is my favorite thing about SEND. Communication As I mentioned above, we have a two hour block for business / ministry details in each of our meetings. This provides consistency across our team which works alongside three different churches and in a variety of ministries. It also helps us to communicate about the need for change or growth, alongside what is working well. In addition, my team director also meets with each of us, allowing us to communicate needs, considerations, and prayer requests. I've also enjoyed getting to work with SEND workers outside of my immediate region . We receive emails with the minutes from the Europe leadership team, Friday communications from our international director, and information regarding projects that affect our work among the unreached. In December of 2024, our international director at the time wrote a note to my parents for the first Christmas that I was gone. If nothing else had convinced my mom yet, this did. He took the time to care for me, but also to care well for the parents that were sending me (What it meant to my dad and mom for him to do this well has been one of the greatest ways I've been supported.). I also have some pretty wonderful regional directors. These people have prayed alongside us (while also serving in their own countries of service), they have taken time to come visit and encourage our team, and they have also taken the time to encourage the people in our churches. Development SEND has provided much in the area of development and care (spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally). At our regional conference (every three years), there have been medical check ups available, counseling options, and time for connecting with others on the field with similar experience. At our conference last October, I connected with a missionary who served overseas for many years, and is now serving on the administrative side of SEND. She has met with me since then for mentorship and has also invested much of her time recently in preparing a retreat for the singles across Europe. Accountability Over the years I have read and heard amazing stories of how God has worked through missionaries. God has done great things and great things He is still doing! However, people who have committed their lives to the Lord in this way are not “super Christians”. We are still humans with the same struggle against flesh that others have . A major challenge is in being isolated -- living in areas with little to no presence of other believers to sharpen them can cause many difficulties. SEND has been a great resource in this area too. Through my team, I have an accountability partner that I meet with monthly. When my regional director came to visit, he and his wife spent a day with me and asked intentional questions about how I lead, handle conflict, and how I am growing in general as a Christian. In addition, my teammates share their wisdom with me on a regular basis. These things and more have assured me that SEND International is a highly valuable organization and I'm excited to partner with them in service to, for, and with our great God! Interested in being sent by SEND?
Learn about the spiritual harmony in Vietnam & how missionaries engage with college students. Join us in sharing the gospel!
Explore Georgia's spiritual heritage and the impact of SEND International's mission. Join us in fostering authentic relationships today!
