The Perfect Plan

My story with Birch Bay Ranch begins when I was eleven years old. I had only been to one other summer camp before, but when my aunt showed my mom a picture in the newspaper of a giant climbing wall, my cousin and I decided that we would love to try the place out. Birch Bay Ranch was amazing as a camper. I don't remember a whole lot of specifics about the activities and whatnot that we did during those weeks at camp (I do remember riding Fernando!), but it was always so fun that we kept wanting to come back.

When I was 14, my cousin and I went to teen camp and I will never forget this moment:

There was one camper there that week who had a mental disability, but the staff all showed him the love of Christ and, through their examples, my fellow campers had been trying to show this same love as well. Although he hadn't come with any friends, we all made sure to say hi or ask him how his day was going or just hang out with him for even just a few minutes every day. One evening we had campfire in Cedar Lodge, as it must have been raining outside or something, and the band was playing some worship songs. This young man all of the sudden got up and went straight to the stage and grabbed the microphone. The room went silent while all of us waited to see what the staff would do -- if maybe he would get in trouble for interrupting or for touching the equipment, but instead everyone was very still and very silent. The boy took the mic and, with all of us listening, said...

"Jesus made you all my friends"

It was such a powerful moment and a memory that will forever stay with me. I renewed my commitment to following Jesus that night, and I know many of the other campers did as well. Birch Bay Ranch, like many people before me have said, is a place where everyone is welcome. God's love is abundant and the staff allow His love to be poured through them onto the campers and visitors every day. I have been absolutely blessed to call Birch Bay Ranch my "home" for 13 years (on and off) and if I could do everything over again, I'd do it exactly the same.

I honestly think that, without Birch Bay Ranch, I would no longer be walking with God despite being raised in a Christian home. It is because of the teachings and examples of the staff at Birch Bay Ranch that I have been able to overcome some of the deepest, darkest, saddest struggles in my life and know that no matter how bad it gets, God ALWAYS loves me.

This spring, I was again blessed with the opportunity to work at camp, even though it was definitely not in the plans I had made for my own life. I am so thankful that no matter what, God is good and God has perfect plans for us to prosper us and not to harm us and perfect timing for those plans. This spring, I was again able to resolidify my decision to follow Jesus and become more rooted in my faith which was perfectly what I needed. I pray that whatever happens with these upcoming decisions, we can feel comforted and at peace knowing that God is good and God has a perfect plan for us if we lean on Him.

Annette Wagers


Jeremiah 29:11