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Cherry Run Camp…

  SHANNON’S CORNER

Playful.  Fun.  Delightful.  Exciting.  Juggling.  Grateful.  Worried.  Loved.  Accepted.  Known.  Trusted.  Awe-struck.  Amazed.  Tiring.  Moved.  Curiosity.  Challenging.  Stimulated.  Nervous.  Fascinating.  Creative.  Inspired.  Peaceful. Hopeful.  Good.  Humbled.


Driving to Cherry Run Camp, I was praying to God to use me in a different way at camp than where I usually have been serving.  Community has been the word that came to the forefront and has recently been on my prayer list since moving back to PA.  How important it is to be welcomed, accepted, seen, and known.  One place where I do have community is Cherry Run Camp and in my prayer time with the Lord, I felt this is where He wanted me to serve Him during camp meeting to be hospitable and welcoming especially to newcomers.  Welcoming people into this beautiful family of Cherry Runners.  I challenged myself to walk up to people and introduce myself and to get to hear a little of their story.

One morning Mary Jane and I were walking the circle and talking, and we saw this car pull into the campgrounds.  As we walked half the circle the car was sort of stopped and looked like they didn’t know where to go so I stopped and asked if they needed any help.  Neither one had ever been to camp and the lady was here to spend the day as their new pastor had invited the church to come to Cherry Run.  Throughout the day I saw her and would ask how things are going and say that I am glad that she is here and enjoying herself.  After the evening service, I happened to see her, and I asked her how her day went.  She shared with me about her day and how she felt welcomed and loved and that she wants to come back another day later in the week.  And she shared some of her story with me and has so many questions regarding the Bible and Jesus and her faith walk.  She did come back for another day later in the week.

There was one lady who was being chauffeured by one the young adult men in the golf cart.  She arrived early one afternoon to bible study, so I introduced myself to her and she shared that this was her second year at Cherry Run. She could not come last year because she had surgery prior to camp and the doctor would not give her permission to come.  The bible teaching and fellowship have been her highlight since her first year of being at Cherry Run.  So cool to see her love for Cherry Run evident on her face.

I was introduced to our missionary family, Will and Laura and their two boys, Titus, and Asher on our first evening of camp.  The next morning at breakfast, I got to hear Laura’s story and give her some insiders of being the missionary in resident at camp as this is their first experience ever in a camp setting.  Throughout the week, I would get to watch Titus and Asher for about 30 minutes until it was the children’s program and just check in with Will and Laura to see how things were going for them, hearing more of their stories, and how I could serve them.  Laura’s parents came and visited a few days and I introduced myself to her mom and she shared some of her life story with me.

I introduced myself to all the young adults to were part of our young adult program, which was new this year at camp.  I got to know some of the kids in the children’s program because of hanging out at the playground with my nephews and nieces.  I introduced myself to the song leaders and evangelists of the week and many others.

 

Even though I did really enjoy and was grateful for being a part of God’s work at Cherry Run to be welcoming, inviting, and hospitable to newcomers on campus who I did not know.  But it was really life giving to me to spend time with my family, who were all there at some point in the week, and my Cherry Run family, some who came to visit who I have not seen in years, who have walked and continue to walk with me in this journey of life.  How important and oh so precious to be a part of a community where you feel accepted, seen, known, and loved for who you are.  Do you have such a community?  If you do, how are you being community to around you, in your family, work, school, church, groups, etc.?


“…I was filled with delight day after day,

 rejoicing (playing) always in His presence, 

rejoicing (playing) in His whole world 

and delighting in mankind.”

Proverbs 8:30-31


PRAYER REQUESTS

Praise the Lord for the week of Cherry Run Camp! Family! Friends! Spiritual feeding! Fun!

Praise the Lord for what I learned through the TCK Training Debrief Certification class!

Praise the Lord for Hi goodness and faithfulness!

Praise the Lord for good health!

Pray for wisdom as I prepare for this fall’s Spanish women’s bible study in September.

Pray for wisdom as I meet with people either one-on-one or debriefs.

Pray for community, one friend locally.



                                               Contact Information:


Donate Online! (Follow the prompts) 
www.WorldOutreach.org/783

 

Mail Checks:

  World Outreach Ministries, Inc.

  P.O. Box B

  Marietta, GA  30061

  (Make a check out to WOM & in memo or in a note write Shannon Eaton #783)

 

Bill Pay:  free option via your online banking

  (Use the same information for checks)

 

Shannon Eaton

5055 Stacey Drive Apt. 1604

Harrisburg, PA  17111

(724)967-1437

 

Email:  shannon.eaton76@gmail.com

Facebook:  Shannon R. Eaton


 




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