Sheppersons in Slovakia

It was a sad report from one camp. Kids were withdrawing their camp registrations because of a rumor that the summer camp was organized by a cult. How was this God’s plan? What would this mean for the camp?

Finally, the local youth pastor who was organizing the camp locally, stopped returning camp registrations. The camp sight was already reserved, the plans made and deposits paid.

Now skipping to the happy ending –

by the close of the camp, the student’s who were forced to attend the camp, were texting to all their friends who withdrew their registrations. The messages were ecstatic. “This is the best camp of my life!” “I’m sorry you missed it”. And the others wrote back – “Can you please try to make a reservation for me now for next year’s camp?”

The story was clear. The bad rumor had dwindled the camp to 12 students. Had Satan had a victory or had God had a perfect plan in a smaller camp. It’s hard to say for sure. But the reality is that 12 students came face to face with the truth about God’s plan for salvation in Jesus Christ. They were visibly moved by the presence of Christ in the actions, words and ways of the camp teams (Americans and Slovaks).

In the end, they all returned to their villages to be followed up by the local church youth group that sponsored the camp. Only eternity will tell the reason for the rumor and the small camp in the mountains of Slovakia.