Naomi's Notes - 08/03/08
"I got it! I got it!" Those were the words of the character Andy trying to catch a baseball--just before he got knocked out and dreamed he was on a pirate ship--at the end of the first scene in Pirates, this year's Musical Day Camp production.
What a wonderful (and exhausting!) week we had! Despite weeks of advance preparation, adults and teen workers were scurrying about, seeing to it that all thirty-nine children were happily engaged in stretching their talents to create the best production ever, as well as to enjoy crafts, recreation, and just being together with friends.
All of the above could be said about most any secular children's musical theater production camp. But our purposes were much, much greater. We were not just trying to keep children engaged and entertain audiences with delightful show-biz. Our workers were trying to be the loving presence of Christ to these children, to make a difference in their lives.
We knew that some of the children needed a respite from difficult circumstances, and we offered them special attention and words of encouragement. We promised every child a moment-in-the-spotlight, knowing that some, due to awkwardness or learning difficulties, would always be overlooked in other settings in favor of children who had "star" potential.
Lisa, as Camp Pastor, helped the children internalize the scriptural themes of the musical each day through her devotionals. The main concept was that we all are God's treasure, that self-worth comes from inside us, not from external trappings like wealth or status. Our talents are varied and are gifts from God our Creator.
At the end of each performance, parents and others were quite adulatory about the children's accomplishments in only five days of camp. I appreciated their kind words, but one parent--mother of one of our younger campers who, though smart and eager to please, had the wiggles and was so distracted we wondered if he understood much--told me about an incident that summed up what Musical Day Camp is all about.
She said with tears in her eyes, (sic) "I want you to know that my son 'got it.' He was beside me in the car yesterday, looking at my hands and said, 'Mom, it's okay for you to have diamonds and stuff, but what really counts is what's on the inside of you.'"
THAT'S really why we do Musical Day Camp. THAT'S why we knock ourselves out every year creating these productions. We are confident that God will bless our efforts and that somehow these children and their families will 'get' the Gospel message of love and hope and truth that will shape the rest of their lives.
See you in worship Sunday -
Naomi