June 7, 2007
Two weeks ago I traveled by bus with a group of teens from Muskogee High School to Camp Bennet, a camp for physically disabled children, teens, and adults. Muskogee had a huge ice storm this winter and it shattered trees.
Camp Bennet is set in the midst of a small wooded area and broken limbs and twigs were everywhere. Campers would be in danger from all the debris. When I climbed on the bus, I knew I was going to have a fun time.
Music was pl
aying. Freshmen girls were singing and talking. Four good adult friends and the high school counselor were on board.
It was hot when we arrived. There wasn’t any water. Ticks were crawling and we forget bug spray. But I had such a great time. First, I laughed a lot at some of my new friends (teens) who had never stepped into a wooded area. “No one said there would be animals!” one girl shrieked when a caterpillar crawled on her leg.
Second, doing something with others that will make a difference, even if it’s picking up sticks and branches, feels really, really great. Third, I was once again amazed at teens.
My work as a community mentor isn’t faith-based. I do it because I get to connect with some really great women who want to make a difference in girls’ lives in our community. But what they are learning — and what I’ve known for a long time — is that when you hang out with teens, you get to know some pretty awesome people. 
We also got to show each other some cool dance moves. My friend, Penny, showed them a dance from a whole different generation, and the girls jumped in. Then they showed Penny and Renee` a new dance.
I don’t know if you have a community mentor program in your city or town, but if you are a youth worker or youth pastor, it’s worthwhile for you and your youth. If you need information on what we do, e-mail me.
If you are a teen and you want to volunteer, there are so many opportunities in every city, such as Boys and Girls clubs (Salvation Army has boys and girls clubs across the nation) and various camps like the one we visited. Maybe you can only volunteer one day a week, but it’s lifechanging, for you and for those you work with–even if it’s picking up broken branches.
I want to hear about volunteer opportunities, or what you plan to do this summer to live out your faith outside the pew. If you have pictures, send them!
~Suzie~
Jade says:
Sounds AWESOME!
“My work as a community mentor isn’t faith-based.”
You know, I use to think there is a difference between Christian activities and “secular” activities. But the more I thought about it, I realized that since my faith is a lifestyle (a choice to live my life according to a certain way) that everything I do, say, and think filters through my faith. I don’t know about my friends or family, but I know that *for me* personally, there isn’t a division between the two because *I am* a Christian striving to walk with my Lord. I can’t help but express my faith through what I do, say, and think. And if in the process, someone sees Jesus in me–even if we aren’t at church or doing a “Christian activity”, praise God! That’s my take on the whole matter anyway.
your friend,
Jade