Reflections by: Lily Song | Summer Camp Intern, Flemingdon Park
My time as a summer intern has been an incredible experience. Reflecting upon my time at Toronto City Mission (TCM), I think back to our training period. I didn’t know what to expect as I was excited and afraid of what my summer would be like. At that time, the Outreach Workers told the interns to “plan for things not to go your way,” I think back to that moment because it’s the truth! Being adaptable and flexible are skills being tested every day at Flemingdon Park. Yet, in the midst of the hot, humid, and chaotic days, God has consistently reminded me of His sovereignty. He reminds me that everything happens for a reason, and that is where I find my peace.
““Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.””
God has truly shown me how He works in mysterious yet beautiful ways this summer. Even as I read my Bible, I see how He often works in ways we humans do not expect. Jesus spent time around sinners (Luke 15:2) when others around Him thought that was strange. Jesus’ death on the cross frightened His own disciples at the time, yet it demonstrates His wisdom and power when we read about it in the Bible today. He doesn’t always do things as we might expect or wish He would. Still, when it comes to God, I realize we can expect the unexpected to have a beautiful purpose for His glory.
He doesn’t always do things as we might expect or wish He would. Still, when it comes to God, I realize we can expect the unexpected to have a beautiful purpose for His glory.
I would have never expected how impactful each field trip we took the children on would be for them. I would never have anticipated the amount of joy I felt by the end of camp when I saw the children no longer afraid of the water when swimming. I would never have expected how much riding the TTC with the children would mean for them. I would never have anticipated the relationships I built among the children and their families. I would never have expected how the children responded when I spent quality time and showed them God’s love and patience. There are so many other unexpected blessings that God has given me this summer. Praise be to God, for He is good and faithful. His wonderful work at Flemingdon Park reminds me that I can trust and worship Him even when I don’t know what to expect.