by Lisa Bell
God must have a sense of humor. Growing up, I was never a “camp girl.” I liked to visit camp but preferred to go home to my own bed at night. It just wasn’t my thing.
Then in 2016 my husband, Dan, interviewed for a job at Hidden Falls Camp in Southern Indiana. I prayed God would close that door. Instead, He threw it wide open. I didn’t understand it at the time. I grieved the loss of my way while surrendering to God’s way. I wondered what good could come from living in the middle of nowhere. As it turns out, a lot.
This summer is my family’s 10th year serving at Hidden Falls Camp, and I will be the first one to tell you God’s plans are so very good! On its grounds I’ve watched my two boys grow from toddlers to young men. I’ve brought home a daughter who doesn’t know anything else but this place. I’ve seen my husband become a strong and confident leader. I’ve found a family that extends beyond the five people who live in my house. I have a meaningful ministry. I’ve come to love living in the middle of nowhere.
The Salvation Army has a huge impact for God’s Kingdom with children who come onto our campgrounds each summer. Summer staff are impacted just as much. They work tirelessly, sometimes in thankless jobs, and learn firsthand that leading with excellence requires dependence on God. I’ve listened as they’ve struggled because the job was harder than they expected. Then, I’ve watched them lead in a strength that is not their own. God has given me the privilege of pouring into their lives.
It is one of the hardest jobs I’ve ever done. God has stretched me enormously, and I’m a better person because of it.
My kids love summer just as much as the campers. I almost never hear “I’m bored” in the summer months. At a young age, they learned to swim like professionals. They know how the high ropes course operates and get to “help” during training week. They love assisting in the snack shop and participating in camp games. Most of all, they have friends who never go home in the summer. This isn’t just camp, it’s home.
I like to compare summers at camp to the Christmas season for corps. We go nonstop for weeks, barely coming up for air. Camp is a battleground for the Lord. We get calls at midnight, pull all-nighters, pray hard and solve problems. We see lives saved by Christ, children find refuge, people form lifelong friendships, and staff and campers leave these grounds stronger in their walk with the Lord. Summers are hard but rewarding. I’ve witnessed God’s faithfulness in sustaining us and meeting our every need. At the end of the summer—usually following a couple weeks of vacation—we look back at all God has accomplished and marvel at what He has done. With each passing year, my heart experiences more peace because God has proven He is trustworthy.
Ministry extends beyond summer. When the campgrounds become quiet, full-time staff are still at work. They are more than employees; they are an extended part of our family: Dan, Isaac, John, Logan, Hanna, their families. Our children act like siblings and celebrate milestones together. We genuinely enjoy being with each other. We all love camp, want what is best for it, and take pride in how it’s run. It has won our hearts.
God has knit together our little team, and we serve in countless ways throughout the year. We lifeguard pool parties, build relationships in the community, and host rental groups that amaze us with their kindness and generosity. We wash dishes, cook meals, scrub floors and clean cabins. We work on never-ending maintenance projects and cut grass nonstop.
What some call the “off season” isn’t that at all. We serve retreat groups which worship, pray and laugh together. We host church youth groups and witness them connecting with God in new and fresh ways. We see men’s groups find freedom from addiction. We watch missionaries find rest after serving in countries where the church must remain secret. We listen to their stories and watch their children run and play with abandon. We serve taekwondo leaders from across the country who gather to train and have an impact with the gospel on their students. We hear high school choirs rehearse and watch football teams train for the upcoming season. We’ve even witnessed the National Guard train through the night in the bitter cold so they can better serve our state. The list goes on.
Yes, camp ministry extends far beyond summer.
When I look back, it’s humorous that I thought I knew better than God. I am so glad He moved me out my comfort zone to where I belong: camp.
