Everything is created by the Lord.
For the past few years I’ve worked at a recreational camp for people with disabilities in Wisconsin called Easterseals Camp Wawbeek. Campers young & old come throughout the year to enjoy activities and make friends in a camp environment. Working there taught me how to lead in love, inclusion, and kindness.
When I become homesick or look through old photos, I often find myself thinking and looking at camp memories. When I think of home, I think of the sweet people at camp. I think of the long days spent running around doing tie-dye or swimming in the pool.
Recently I’ve thought most about how my experiences at camp have positively equipped me for this world race experience.
ESW camps emphasizes the importance for all people to have access to participate in recreational programs including arts/crafts, sports/games, nature, swimming, etc. My responsibility while planning fun activities was to also create accessibility to them by thinking of alternative ways to do them or ways to do them with assistance. Problem solving and flexibility was a skill I had to develop quickly.
Similarly on the world race, we naturally face difficulties. We are continuously shifting cultures, ministry focuses, etc. We have to adjust quickly and find solutions to the challenges that we encounter.
Summer camp has taught me how to rough it a bit. Wisconsin heat, busy schedule, sleeping on tarps outside, showering less, etc. The transition to living out of a backpack was not as challenging because of camp.
Lastly, camp taught me how to love people unconditionally- to love without expecting in return & to love when it becomes hard. I have seen my heart change into longing to know more people & appreciate who the Lord made them to be. On the world race I meet so many people but it feels easy to build relationships quickly because I have grown into that skill at camp.
The Lord has continually given clarity to me for my passion for working with people with disabilities while leading with a missional mindset.
In scripture we see Jesus caring for the people with disabilities. Think of the friends who physically carried and lowered their friend through a roof to be healed by Jesus. This was his command.
Luke 14:12-14 says
He said also to the man who had invited him, “When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”
How can I love rightly?
In every country, the Lord has given me people to connect with in the community to either learn about the disability community there or to serve- often for just a day.
I’m thankful that the Lord has been stirring up my passions the past few years and providing me a place to serve at home. It truly has established my ability to love sacrificially and walk openhanded towards all people.
Thanks Camp Wawbeek for giving me eyes to see people and a heart to serve them. I love and miss you dearly.
Be well. Love well. Mags
These are such wonderful, important things you are doing. The Luke quote you give us from the Bible is instructive and encouraging to all of us tucked up in our comfort zones. You give us directions out of that cramped place.
This is so beautiful. The inclusivity and kindness you display everywhere you go is so evident and so clearly embodies the Father. You do love rightly Magdelyn, because you love with His pure and perfect love. Continue to pursue Jesus and He’s gonna keep increasing your capacity to love more and love deeper. I pray the Lord keeps giving you opportunities to press into your passion for the disabled. Your love for helping those who can’t help themselves is so tender. I’m so excited for your future!