I just finished a week at a Youth for Christ camp at Island Lake. This was my third year and I can’t wait to do it all over again next year. It is hard to find the word to express the brokenness and pain in the lives of so many kids who come to these camps. It is even more difficult to express the love and compassion felt by everyone else from the camp director to the counselors. These camps are very special and God is faithful to work through them to change the lives of so many hurting teens. For me it’s the highlight of my summers in spite of the physical exhaustion I feel by the end of the week. There is nothing more exciting in this world than seeing a young teen whose life is so messed up being transformed by Jesus. Friday as I stood on the shore of the lake a young man named Isaac swam up to me and the following dialog took place:

Isaac: You’re Zach right?
Me: Yes
Isaac: I thought so…guess what?
Me: What?
Isaac: I accepted Jesus into my life.
Me: Really? That’s awesome! It will be the best decision you ever made!
Isaac: I know, everything already feels better. I’m gonna go now…I just wanted to tell you.

I can’t share more details but it’s not uncommon to hear stories of teens who are being physically and sexually abused at home. It’s not uncommon to hear stories of kids who either tried to commit suicide or was considering it. Not everyone is surrenders their life to Christ but everyone comes away changed. I know I certainly do!