They say you can know artists by looking at their art.

In the same way, a simple walk in the woods at Ewalu reveals things about the Author of nature.

This is a beautiful place...

When we come to Ewalu, we can quickly be amazed by God’s creation. However, that is only a part of the picture that reveals who God is. At Ewalu we also see that God’s painting can even extend to our “own” works!

            Even more resplendent than nature, whose beauty alone is too overwhelming for us to fully know, is the beauty that we are seeing here now in God’s Spirit at work at camp. I hope that by sharing some of what I have seen these past nine months, that glory will rightly be attributed to God for the privilege of noticing his handiwork.

Let me tell you what I’ve seen at camp while walking through the woods:

I have seen young men reach greater maturity by trusting God, spurred on by encouragement from communities of faith – both in their past and presently at camp.

            I have seen young women mentoring your children with devotion, energy, maturity, patience, joy and forgiveness.

I am honored to see the results of God having brought together an exemplary summer staff to serve Him – people who answered each of their calls to a summer vocation.

            I’ve seen kids from abusive homes come to camp to see how life can be, and at the end of the week they go home as different kids – kids with hope.

            I’ve seen youth come here who never knew how fun it could be to sing, even to sing out of tune. They end the week by jumping up and down in front of all the kids and their parents, beaming proudly while they sing (actually, yell) a silly tune about Moses. Their pride is not over a song, but in the camaraderie they found in the Body of Christ during the week.

            I’ve seen boys so touched by a counselor’s gentle prayer for them, that they were moved to tears. Youth leaders were moved in the same ways by their youth “living in the Scriptures” together for the week.

I’ve seen staff members go out determined to minister and serve others and to meet Jesus in our neighbors, only to find themselves cared for by fellow Christians.

I’ve seen (and been) the prodigal son, and I’ve seen how when we turn towards God, he “runs to meet us” even while we are still a long ways off.

            I’ve seen, read and heard the gifts God has given his people: prayer, music, art, faith, compassion and all other fruits of the Spirit used to the glory of God.

            I’ve seen sins forgiven.

            I’ve seen God bring together young with old when “camp grandparents,” summer staff and campers actually experience new unity in Christ by sharing stories and working together side by side in the outdoors.

            I’ve seen God work in my life through Scripture, prayer, relationships, and by the blessings of so many colleagues in faith: Summer staff, year-round staff, volunteers, donors of time and resources, parents and children – their humility reminds me that Jesus is, as the song goes, “alive, awake, alert and enthusiastic!”

            At Ewalu, we perceive the beauty of creation. We are surrounded by it. Moreover, we can perceive God’s beauty in meeting Jesus in our Christian community and by walking in Jesus’ paths.

In the beginning, God spoke and created our natural world. Today, may God reveal as clearly as during summer camp that God’s same creative Word is active and alive, inspiring life around you despite some darkness. He is still speaking and creating, and through Jesus’ love, he has surrounded us by grace.

Perhaps we ought to take time more often to take a “walk in the woods.” God’s creation is closer than we think.