We’re so grateful for your support of Daystar…and all of the “daystars” you read about in our spring mailer this year. We wanted to give you a little more glimpse into the heart and life of one of those, in particular.
“Being a ‘Daystar Kid’ has blessed my adult life beyond my wildest imagination (and my imagination is pretty wild!).
In middle and high school, I went to Daystar summer sessions, met with my weekly girl's group with Sissy Goff, and volunteered as a leader at Daystar camp.
Fast forward 10 years, and I have led groups of teens backpacking, rock climbing, whitewater kayaking, and volunteering across the US, Costa Rica, Peru, Ecuador, South Africa and Swaziland. Regardless of the mix of teens, location or obstacle, my trips are successful. My co-leaders and administrators ask How?
It's simple: I make sure the teens on my trips feel safe, adored, and celebrated - by me and their peers - because that's what Daystar first gave me.
The rays of Daystar illuminate my "grown up" life far beyond the soft skills I use in my profession. The friends I invited to Daystar as a kid are still my deepest and truest. I have a circle of women in my life today that meet, support and challenge each other just like my Daystar group did in high school. I prioritize my relationship to spirit and myself because Daystar taught me how.
Thanks to Daystar I can look into someone's eyes who is hurting and, instead of turning away, give them love and grace. Thanks to Daystar, and Melissa's prompts up at Hopetown, I can grab a journal, turn inward, and truly face myself. Thanks to Daystar I know the power of community - of praying together, singing together, and playing outside together :)
Thanks to Daystar I know I belong.
Somewhere.
Everywhere.
And now I get the scrumptious opportunity to extend love and belonging to the people around me wherever I happen to be.
In high school I remember telling Melissa "someday when I grow up, I'm going to make a Daystar."
While I may never consider myself a grown-up or have a yellow house in Berry Hill or host soup nights and teach the gospel, I most certainly sprinkle the seeds everywhere I go-
planting little shimmering daystars in nooks and crannies across the world.
Sara Grove
Adventure Travel Guide
Your support of Daystar helps impact the 1500+ children and families who are a part of our ministry today…and has helped us keep offering hope since 1985.
We are profoundly grateful for you.
The Daystar Staff
