Reflections by: Ealy Fong | Summer Camp Intern, Kingston-Galloway
The past month serving in ministry with TCM at Kingston-Galloway (KG) has been a time of joy, a time of growth, and a time of enduring new challenges. God remains faithful in all the hurdles here at KG, and He continues to be steadfast in love and mercy. While days are typically filled with musical worship, arts and crafts, cooking sessions, and gym games — our Bible lessons this summer focus on looking at the message of the Gospel through the lens of David’s life. But of all these camp activities, nothing beats the sound of laughter and the signs of smiles during dodgeball.
There’s one thing to know about the kids at KG: they live and breathe dodgeball — it’s treated as a serious Olympic sport out here. They could play days on end and yet still carry with them the widest of smiles and loudest of laughter that echoes in the gym room.
What a joy it is to partake in building His Kingdom and reaping the harvest whilst delighting in Him.
In the past weeks of serving at KG, experiencing and witnessing the joys of dodgeball has led me to reflect on the Good News that brings great joy. Joy of Salvation which comes from knowing God has sent forth a perfect Saviour who bore the weight of our sin and wrath of God, but reigns victorious over sin and death. Now in His finished work, we are made new, free from condemnation, and graciously reconciled with God. What a joy it is to know that the free gift of God heals, transforms, and liberates us completely. What a joy it is to know that salvation belongs to the Lord alone. What a joy it is to partake in building His Kingdom and reaping the harvest whilst delighting in Him.
Parallel to what seems like an “everlasting” joy of dodgeball; my prayer is for these children and their families to delight in the Lord and experience the greater and truly everlasting joy of salvation.
These children remain resilient and cling onto the joys found in the little moments.
In all the days spent with the kids at KG, God continues to stretch my capacity to love them wherever I can – loving them with dignity and as image-bearers of God. While many families experience the challenges of urban poverty, these children remain resilient and cling onto the joys found in the little moments.