Stories
A Pile of Trash
A couple hundred used water bottles and cardboard boxes sit in the corner of the center. Little do they know, what excitement they hold. It looks like a pile of trash, but this “trash” will become some very interesting things in the next few weeks. One of the kid’s favorite portions of our summer camp has been the experiments. From Lava lamps, mini water fountains to making balloon-powered cars this pile of plastic bottles is slowly dwindling as the numbers for the camp are growing. Also growing is an excited and a sense of creation. Right now, even as I write, there is a volcano being formed behind me. The teenager group “remodeling” it for the third time to make it look as realistic as possible before they do the explosion.
We started camp with a smaller group as some parents are still wary from Covid, but each week more kids come as kids hear from their neighbors about what’s happening in camp and ask their parents to register them. From experiments to cooking, crafts, dance, music and outdoor games each group gets their chance to experience a sense that they are creating something, a car that moves on it’s own, a beautiful card for a friend, a song or maybe even a waffle. Each day holds something new and each day they are waiting at the door when 9:00 am rolls around. Some showing up half an hour early to make sure they aren’t late.
Yesterday, one of our students who goes to an English-speaking school wrote us a thank you letter. Talking about his love for the teachers and the other kids and his excitement for the camp each day. Lebanon is suffering right now, and it needs creators. Those who look at what they have; something that looks like a pile of trash, and sees something new, something beautiful and something exciting. This is why we call them to create, God created, and we are made in His image, so we create also. 
We want to instill in this next generation that creation mindset. One that may be handed one thing but from love, hard work and dedication they choose to redeem it and make it something beautiful.
