What is it going to cost you?

Just before deciding to take this leap into ministry, I attended a training conference with Christina, the Moline Children's Director to test the water. During the event, a veteran inner-city youth worker spoke about what this type of ministry costs. He gave examples of picking kids up for camp...not finding them at home...hunting them down at a cousin's house...or walking down the street...unpacked...unprepared. You make a decision...you have 40 other kids to tend to...it is easy to drive away...after all, it is unreasonable to be expected to cater to this one. But...he did. On his way out of town...he found his missing camper walking down the street...loaded him up...made a quick trip to Wal-mart for clothes...and headed off to camp. He later learned that this kid had been out selling drugs all night...and still had his pockets full...but half way through camp week, flushed everything down the toilet...and came home changed for life. What is it going to cost you?

Christina and I went out to camp last night to help with staff training. We each spoke about the realities of this work. She shared what our kids will likely go through the morning of their camp...and it isn't a mother packing their bags...feeding them breakfast...and hurrying them out the door. Many of our kids will be tiptoeing around their homes...in fear of waking their mothers...who may be passed out...trying to gather their own belongings...hoping they still get to go...getting yelled at...threatened...left with younger siblings to watch...the list goes on. Many will be emotionally beat down by the time they actually get on the bus. She stressed the importance of our reactions...body language...and emotions. It might take 45 minutes to track down one child...but you do. What is it going to cost you?

They asked me to speak about sacrifice. Through this experience I've learned that one of my biggest sacrifices to bear isn't necessarily the financial end...while that is a big sacrifice...but instead simply giving up a "normal" life. I thought it was relevant for our camp counselors who may grow weary and envious of their friends who are having "normal" summers. We ended up talking to one of the counselors for an hour in the middle of the woods at 11 o'clock at night...about some tough questions she had...helping her deal with her fears and strengthening her faith. One of many unplanned...inconvenient...late nights at CF...that hopefully made a difference. Driving home...a question running through my head...what is it going to cost you?