“I’m glad we’re all here!”
This past week at Hopetown was filled with endless laughter and encouragement as over thirty 2nd-4th graders took over the big blue house on the lake.
Through banana boat rides, worshiping together, and everything in between we learned what it looks like to give back to one another and be a peacemaker in the world around us. On the first night of 2nd-4th grade camp we curled up in the living room to watch the Academy Award winning short film: The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse. If you have not seen this film we highly suggest you take the time to watch it or to read the book that inspired it.
The simple beauty of the film combined with the powerful message it brings propelled our discussion for the remainder of the week. The next morning Melissa asked us to recall what the first quote of the movie was. Despite there being so many profound quotes from the movie the first line is seemingly so simple. “Hello.” As mundane as the word “hello” may be, when we use it with intention we are saying to someone, “you are important.”
Another way to say hello, and the way Jesus often said it, is with the Hebrew word “shalom.” However, not only does shalom mean “hello” but it is also used to say “peace be with you.” In Luke 24 we find Jesus using these words. He has recently risen from the dead after dying on the cross three days before. Here he appears to the disciples for the first time since his death. “And just as they were telling about it, Jesus himself was suddenly standing there among them.
‘Peace be with you,’ he said. But the whole group was startled and frightened, thinking they were seeing a ghost! ‘Why are you frightened?’ he asked. ‘Why are your hearts filled with doubt? Look at my hands. Look at my feet. You can see that it is really me. Touch me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don’t have bodies, as you see that I do.’ As he spoke, he showed them his hands and his feet.’ Still they stood there in disbelief, filled with joy and wonder. Then he asked them, ‘I am hungry. Do you have anything here to eat?’ They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he ate it as they watched.” - Luke 24:36-43
The first thing Jesus tells them in the midst of their fear is “peace be with you.” He knows they’re afraid, and scared, and think he’s a ghost, but his presence is greater and his peace is stronger than their fear, than our fear. That night as we gathered in the living room Colossians 3:15 became the focal point of our conversation. “Let the peace of Christ keep you in step with each other.”
In doing this may we put on:
compassion (yellow)
kindness (blue)
love (white)
Courage (red)
humility (green)
encouragement (pink)
patience (black)
trust (orange)
To symbolize this each night of Hopetown campers stood up to encourage one another in one of these qualities by giving them a colored bead to remember it by. The next morning as we continued our discussion on peace Melissa brought up sportsmanship. Often after a game we see sportsmanship displayed by the shaking of hands with the opposing team. This act is supposed to symbolize peace and reflect that, whether win or lose, the game is over now and each person did a good job.
Unfortunately that is not always the case. In many instances we see bad sportsmanship take place after a game. Melissa asked the campers when they had seen this bad sportsmanship in real life and the answers were sadly numerous. Here were some examples campers gave:
Instead of saying “good game” while shaking hands the opposing team said “bad game”
The winning team said “sike” after going in for a handshake
The coach lost his temper and yelled at the team
Several teams wouldn’t even shake hands
This is the opposite of what the Lord is calling us to be to the world. Matthew 5:9 in The Message says, “You are blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are and your place in God’s family.”
One by one as campers felt this verse convicting them and stirring in their hearts they would stand up and proclaim to the group, “I would like to be a peacemaker!” In order to commemorate this moment and the camper’s decision to be a peacemaker in their lives we decided to form our own handshake line, just like the ones after a game.
But instead of saying “good game” it was important for us to say something meaningful that represented our time here. That’s when Melissa brought us back to a quote from the movie we had watched: The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse.
“Sometimes I want to say… I love you all,” said the mole, “but I find it difficult.” “Do you?” said the boy. “Yes, so I say something like, I’m glad we’re all here.” “Ok,” said the boy. “I’m glad we’re all here,” said the mole. “We are so glad you are here too.” As the guys stood on one side of the living room and the girls on the other we crossed each other, shook hands one at a time, and said, “I’m glad we’re all here!”
Each day after the morning meeting campers had the opportunity to experience four different rotations: dance, art, baking, and man school (for the boys) or braver, stronger, smarter (for the girls). In each of these rotations they were able to showcase their talents or interests and grow closer in their relationships with one another.
These rotations were followed by time on the lake where we laughed a lot and had encouraging conversations that pointed back to our desire to be a peacemaker. The next morning as we approached our last full day of camp Melissa reminded us of an all too familiar concern. As much as we may desire to be peacemakers in the world around us, a lot of the time we find it hardest to have peace within ourselves.
Our fears and worries take hold of our lives and it feels like they’re keeping us locked in a room. Melissa asked the campers to share some of the things that keep them locked up.
“Fights with my siblings”
“Anxiety about sleeping”
“Scared about moving”
“What if people don’t like what I have to say”
Then she reminded us of another quote from the movie. “What’s the bravest thing you’ve ever said?” asked the boy. “Help,” said the horse. “Asking for help isn’t giving up,” said the horse, “it’s refusing to give up.” Whenever we feel trapped by our own thoughts or fears it is so important that we share those feelings with others and that we ask for help.
Asking for help in our own lives allows us to find peace and then share that peace with others. This is such a great reminder, not just for 2nd-4th graders but for everyone. How can you be a peacemaker today and encourage others to seek peace as well?
