Unforgetable Night

I remember the best parts of my childhood summers being getting to go to Birch Bay Ranch for a week.

Birch Bay was always such a fun, safe, loving atmosphere. Every summer I'd make so many friends, and come home filled with the love of Jesus and bursting with so many stories to tell of all the awesome things I learnt and got to do that week at BBR. I think my favorite part of BBR was the atmosphere. Everyone (campers and staff) was always so happy to be there...and the best part was that BBR created that nice safe little bubble where you could really grow in your faith. At camp we all had the same faith and love for Jesus, so you didn't have to be shy or scared to talk about it or feel awkward sharing your beliefs with your new friends as I know I always felt (and sometimes still do!) in "the real world".

There is one summer at BBR that specifically stands out. It was nearing the end of the week, and everyone was at campfire (although this particular night it was inside as it was raining and miserable out). There was one camper, we'll call him M. M had Down Syndrome. I'm sure that week at camp there were campers who may have felt sorry for him, or pitied him and I'm sure there were probably some campers that may have even teased him or got frustrated with him (hey, nobody's perfect...especially not at that age). Despite everything I'm sure life had thrown at him, M had unrelenting faith in God. It was absolutely amazing to witness. M was a friend to everybody, always willing to help out, the first to volunteer for anything, the one singing the loudest and dancing the hardest and the only person who was 100% unafraid to show his love for God in every single action he made.

Honestly I can't even remember the campfire topic, or what brought everything about...I just remember how powerful that night was for not only myself, but for everybody in that room. M showed so many of us the love of God. That one particular night something happened. Campfire went on WAY past lights-out time. There were so many tears, and I think a lot of us invited Jesus into our hearts that night...all because of M.

He was such a beacon of light, such an amazing example of the wonders of having the Lord in your life, his joy and love for life and God were just so infectious. I think M was an example to all of us of what great we can bring into this world by asking Jesus into our hearts, and sharing that love with others.

I am so thankful for BBR and the summers I got to spend there. I honestly think that places, such as BBR, can have such a huge impact on peoples lives - I know it certainly has in mine. BBR has brought me closer to Jesus, helped me grow in my faith, and has helped me be less closed off and scared to share the love of Christ. I hope that BBR will continue to be around for many years to come, and that one day my children can grow to have the life changing experiences I had at such a wonderful place!

Nicole