Nerves Can’t Stop Me

Posted: 8/4/20 at 11:00am. Article by Beth Dale.

When I first heard about Impact! Mission Camps, I was pretty hesitant to participate. Spending a week of my summer waking up at six in the morning to go to worship, then go to work on a house for eight hours in the sun did not seem very appealing to me; until my first day at camp when I was just twelve years old. As soon as I got there I knew Impact was something I wanted to do for as long as I could. Being surrounded by people of faith and being able to make a real, hands on difference in your community is an amazing experience that everyone should be able to participate in. After that first week I had set a personal goal for myself that as soon as I was old enough I would apply to be on staff. Spending a whole summer doing mission work that I had such a strong passion for sounded like the perfect opportunity for me. 

After being a camper for seven years, I finally reached the age to apply for Impact staff. I was not sure if it was actually what God had in my plans, but after applying I had a feeling that this is exactly what I was meant to be doing. It was then, after waiting for seven long years to be old enough, I was officially welcomed onto the Impact 2020 team of staff and I could not have been more grateful to God for granting me this chance. Although we were all saddened to hear that COVID-19 had ruined our chances of having an in person camp this year, we were still blessed to have been able to put together a completely virtual version of what Impact is. This summer has taught me a lot about what it is to work as a team and it has taught me that just because things don’t go exactly as planned, does not mean that your plans are ruined. 

Before coming to meet the rest of the staff and spend the summer with them I was a nervous wreck; I was scared that I wouldn’t fit and that I would miss home. It was almost just like my emotions from my first year of camp, I was horrified right up until I walked in the door and met the rest of the wonderful staff.  Everyone was so welcoming and I truly believe that God put us all together for a reason. These people have taught me so much, from cooking some sweet desserts, to showing me how to be a better person and Christian. I cannot thank God enough for this summer and being able to spread His word with this amazing organization called Impact! Mission Camps.