Last Tuesday, a director from Kanakuk Kamps came to Shelterwood to encourage the bigs and littles. He brought with him one of the most powerful prayer warriors I've ever met: a 14-year old boy. The small boy who has cerebral palsy sat tiny in his wheelchair but his presence filled the entire room. He prayed that the littles could know God and trust in Him. He prayed that they wouldn't feel guilty for the people they've hurt and the reasons that they were sent to Shelterwood but know that they're forgiven. In a booming voice, he prayed that enemy would depart. His prayer was deep and sincere. He continued to plead with God to act "right now" believing that God could and would follow through. It reminded me of Mark 11:23 when Jesus says:
I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, "Go throw yourself into the sea," and does not doubt in his heart but believes what he says will happen, it will be done for him.
Tears filled the eyes of the littles as the boy prayed clasping his mangled hands together. I could hear sobs echoing across the room. After the prayer, the teens gathered in a circle around the boy and told him how much they appreciated his prayer. One of the most difficult boys, who has been hostile to religion said the prayer spoke to him. "I had to come talk to you," the teen said. "I could tell there was something different about you."
After the talk and prayer time, the girls headed back to the girls house. A little who got to program a week ago asked me to take her outside on the porch. We rocked in rocking chairs for a while and I could tell she was thinking very hard about something. I asked her what she thought about the prayer. "It was incredible," she said. "As he was praying, I felt the burdens and guilt I've been carrying lifted off my shoulders." She paused. I asked her what she had been feeling guilty and she told me about her family and home life. I told her that we are all sinners who fall short of the glory of God. I explained that despite the horrible stuff we do God loves us and sent His son to die on the cross for our sins so that we don't have to feel guilty anymore. She nodded. I could tell she was tracking with me. I asked her if she had ever trusted Christ and she told me no. I asked her if she wanted to and she said nodded. Right there on the on the rocking chairs she repeated after me and prayed for salvation. It was a sweet, sweet moment. I looked up into the beautiful fall sky afterward and thanked God for using me.
The day proved to me that God is moving at Shelterwood. It doesn't always feel like that but He is. I'm excited to see this little continue to grow in the Lord and embrace who God has called her to be!
