Sometimes God shows up in the most unexpected places. I was working at a
summer camp as a camp counsellor when I had the opportunity to spend a week
with a special needs camper. I went into the week expecting that my camper
would need me to teach her everything from who Jesus is to how to apply
sunscreen, wash her face, and catch bugs without scaring them away. Sure
enough, I did all that in our week together at camp...but the thing I wasn't
expecting was God teaching ME a lot through that 6-year-old girl with
special needs.

She was enthusiastic and excited about everything she got to do. She found
so much joy in the simplest things, such as seeing a butterfly. Seeing the
genuine joy that she expressed in everything we did was such as eye opener
for me. It was a huge reminder that God calls us to live life to the
fullest- something this young child certainly knew how to do. My time with
her reminded me to celebrate more often and to take joy in Godís creation
and the opportunities that come our way each day.

Going into that week I never expected my special needs camper to be able to
teach me a valuable lesson, but she did. God can use everyone, whether they
are young or old, live on the street or in a mansion, have a disability or
excel in everything. God wants us to live our lives open to seeing him at
work in everyone and in whatever situation we are in. As well as to be open
to letting Him use us!

If God can show up at work unexpectedly in the lives of my special needs
camper, or streetkids like Anna and Nick from the drama and use them to
teach someone, where might God be at work in your life? Perhaps God's
already been doing some crazy things in your life and you donít even realize
it! Live with an open heart and donít judge people as solely needing your
help because you never know when the tables will be turned and theyíll be
the ones helping you.

Some scriptures to look at:

Psalm 9:1 - I will thank you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all
the marvelous things you have done. I will be filled with joy because of
you. I will sing praises to your name, O Most High.

John 10:10 - I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Matthew 7:1 - Stop judging others, and you will not be judged.

Lauren Kaster is 19 and from Waterloo, Ontario.