This morning I had to visit the seventy three year old log cabin on the camp property which the mission is preparing to dismantle and reconstruct. The area around the cabin has been cleared of brush and undergrowth so I pulled an old pair of work boots out of my office closet that I rarely use any more.
As I laced them up I remembered these boots had been given to me a number of years ago by Tom. Tom is a former camper who had grown up in a difficult home environment and found himself living on his own at sixteen. He stayed in school and kept coming to camp each summer. After high school graduation he worked on the summer staff and stayed in our home on the weekends. When he went off to college he gave me these boots.
Today Tom is happily married, the father of two children, a college graduate, teaching school and, most importantly, following Christ. He overcame the odds that overwhelm so many others.
While I wouldn't say all that happened because of the ministry of SMMM in Tom's life, I will say it had an influence. If you were to talk with Tom I believe he would agree.
As we minister our way through another camp week I wonder how many other "Toms" are here this week or have already come this summer. I'm glad I don't have to know or keep record but Heaven is going to be a happy place when eternity reveals the full picture of SMMM's impact on the mountain folks of southeastern Kentucky.
That's what's happening along the banks of Troublesome Creek until next time.
0 comments:
Post a Comment