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When our entire high ropes course was destroyed by lightning last summer, I received something special from God—a gift of faith. I didn’t receive that faith because I was so spiritual or even worthy. I believe it was simply because God knew what He wanted to accomplish, and He knew that I needed that faith in order to fall into obedience to His plan. As a result, I had complete confidence that God would provide the $47,000 needed to rebuild the course. I just didn’t know how He would do it.
Armed with faith from God, I pursued every avenue that presented itself as a possibility for funding. Individual donations, church contributions, fundraising events, business sponsorships, grants, and even donations of building materials were all possibilities. I contacted the media, printed flyers, sent emails, and even built a 3D model of our plans for the new course. I shared our story with anyone who was willing to listen. But six months into the process, we had raised less than $5,000.
That’s when Jesus took control, and the unexpected happened. Just as doubt was starting to creep into my mind that the course would be built by this summer, I received a brief email from a couple of our supporters, Gary and Vesta Edmonds. It said that they would fund the remaining cost of the project! I was overwhelmed. I had to read the email four times before I could believe it. When I shared the news with our staff, the office was filled with shouts of delight and tears of joy. The Lord had answered our prayers! It came suddenly, and it wasn’t the way I imagined it would happen, but that’s just how God works.
We’re now in the process of clearing a small patch of land and arranging for installation of the 60-foot utility poles that will be the framework for the tower. It’s an exciting time, and even more exciting because we know that it’s all coming about through the hand of God. Now our focus can turn to raising the $65,000 needed for camper scholarships this year. I can’t wait to see what God does next!
It seemed like a good idea, but I had no idea how to make it happen. The builder for our new high ropes course tower was suggesting that I try contacting some local businesses to arrange for the delivery and installation of the 60-foot utility poles.
“I can make the arrangements myself,” he explained, “but if you contact somebody local, you might get a better deal since you’re a non-profit.”
It made sense, of course, but I didn’t know of anyone who could do a job like this. Then I remembered that camp founder O.A. Fish knew someone who worked with Duke Power. I asked O.A. for the number, jotted it down on a scrap of paper, and gave the man a call.
“Well, Duke can’t do it for you,” he said, “but you should call Pike Electric.”
He gave me a contact at Pike, so I wrote that number down and called him.
“I can’t do a job like that,” he said, “but you should try C.F. Reese.”
He gave me the number for Reese, and I called.
“I don’t have a source for poles,” he explained, “but I know somebody who might be able to help.”
At this point I looked down at the scrap of paper upon which I’d been scribbling all these numbers. God is in this, I realized. I wrote out this fourth phone number with more confidence. I knew this was no rabbit trail. God was leading me somewhere.
I dialed the number with high expectations.
“I can’t help you,” was the response, “but you should try Camp Electric.”
Undeterred, I dialed the number he provided.
“Sure, I can do that job,” Jason Camp explained. “Can you send me the exact specifications?”
Within a few days, I had a quote for purchase, delivery, and installation.
When I passed the quote along to our ropes course builder, he called me almost immediately.
“This is remarkable,” he said. “I was expecting twice this amount. It is really a blessing to be a part of a project like this.”
To see how you can help, visit http://www.southmountainchristiancamp.org/.
