Where I Belong
How could I feel nostalgic for an era I was never part of?
As I was looking through all the blog posts of staff and friends from Sonshine Day Camps in the past, I found many pleasant surprises. I recognized so many familiar faces. I did not realize that some of them were part of the original generation of Jesse Ketchum.
Aware of this now, I feel even more honoured to be part of these two summers. What an honour to be their camp leader before they become Teen Leaders (TLC) or move to new places.
Although I admit, I have been unsure of what it is God is trying to do through me at another summer with TCM. Do I really belong here?
Throughout the summer, I’ve paid more attention to the loving community TCM has provided for these families. This summer, we have a few families who are moving to another neighbourhood, even to another province. For some campers who grew up in TCM’s programs, this was their last summer with us. How bittersweet it must be to prepare to move to a new place, but also to say goodbye to deep connections.
Then, I had heard about how some TLCs doubted whether they were where they were supposed to be too. I hope that the team’s efforts encouraged our young leaders and made them see how willing God is to use them. From what I’ve seen, I am personally very proud of what each TLC, both senior and junior, has brought to the table this summer.
And for me, I got part of my answer for my purpose of coming back for the second summer. If I never returned to this internship, a mission team member would have never been able to give me this words:
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
I don’t need to worry about how everything will fall into place. If I seek God’s will first, my desires will follow, and I will find that He will provide enough for now.
Truthfully, even last year I often forgot that I work with families impacted by poverty.
I have only ever seen these children as… children!
That isn’t to say they are not personally impacted by a fallen, imperfect world, but that the unconditional love of Christ shown to them via Toronto City Mission is that much more powerful.
These families may not be in the Jesse Ketchum community forever. I don’t exactly know how my work with TCM will pan out into my career.
However, if where I belong depends entirely on whom I cling to, and not the literal where, then just like Joseph, I could never be lost.
I am where God needs me to be now.
For both me and these families, if we are with God, we can say in this exact moment,
“This is where I belong.”
