Camp Grace

For three decades, adults with special needs, along with many volunteers, have attended Camp Grace in the mountains of North Carolina. At this ‘family reunion’ I have found the campers’ love for one another and their love and acceptance of me very moving. The highlight is Saturday’s talent show in which nearly all the campers select a talent to share.

Susan, who rarely speaks, usually dances. However, this year, she wanted to sing ‘Jesus loves me’. She stood, quite anxious, in front of the microphone, and said, ‘Hi.’ As our accompanist quietly tried to prompt her with the words, she said ‘Hi’ again. At that, voices began to arise from Susan’s Camp Grace family, until we were all singing ‘Jesus loves me’ softly and sweetly, on her behalf. Susan grinned as she received our love and affirmation and knew she was not alone.

Through the Holy Spirit, God was illustrating Romans 8:26. When Christ ascended, he left us a Comforter who intervenes for us with God when we struggle. As we lifted Susan’s song to God, we were bearing the fruit of God’s love (see John 15:16–17).