One Connection at a Time
Fortune Lake provides opportunities for God to make an impact through others. One camper, Paavo Rundman, saw that first hand during his time at camp this summer. Coming out of a year of lockdowns and restrictions, Paavo missed both the physical space at Fortune Lake as well as being a part of the community. With that in mind, he decided to take the leap and become a Leader in Training, or an LIT. The LIT Program combines the traditional youth camp experience with both ministry education and leadership training and is open to youth who have completed grades 10-12.
During the first week of youth camp, Paavo had been placed in a Villager cabin, home to 3rd and 4th grade boys. The week was filled with games, waterfront time, arts and crafts, and learning about the Word of God. On Friday, the last day of the week, Paavo had just finished up his Bible Study with his campers when one came forward with a special request. The camper was fascinated by the stories that the group had studied throughout the week and wanted to learn more about God, but he didn’t have a Bible. Paavo knew that there would be a Bible somewhere that he could give to the camper, and so he found him one. Once the Bible was in the child’s hands, he asked what parts he could read. The child determined that he would begin with Genesis, the home of many of our lessons from this summer and to plenty more fantastic stories of God at work in the world. The excitement spread, and Paavo ended up procuring a Bible for another camper in his cabin.
Paavo knew that this exchange was God working through him. It became evident to him as time passed that it was important that he not only make connections with his campers, but that he did the best he could to love every person that came to camp. Through his time at Fortune Lake this summer, he grew in the knowledge that he was playing a pivotal role in the lives of the campers he interacted with, no matter how brief their time together. This growth brought up two truths for Paavo: (1) you are always impacting others, whether you realize it or not, and (2) you will not always have the opportunity to see the effects of your impacts, you can only hope that they pay it forward one connection at a time.
Join the Impact
There are many meaningful ways to engage in supporting Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp!
