“Maybe.” He dragged the word into three syllables.
“Hmm.” Her eyes sparkled with victory. “Which means until August, we’re not the same age.”
He shrugged. “It’s a small technicality.”
Her chin jutted in the direction of the largest gathering in the bus. “One thing’s for sure, we’re both old in their minds.”
“That, my friend, is the absolute truth.”
Their conversation flowed until they reached the gates of Living Waters Camp. Elijah stood and directed the teens to check their areas, clean up any trash, and gather their belongings when the bus came to a stop. “Once we leave the bus, we won’t return to it until tomorrow evening.”
Renewed energy filled the air. He unlocked the cargo department and handed the kids their bags. How much did they need for an overnight trip? He hated to see how much they would bring for a full week of summer camp in late July.
The day passed quickly. After registration, they took a group hike to one of the smaller mountain peaks. A paved pathway and slow ascent gave a prime opportunity for a relaxing time, enjoying God’s creation in person. Several kids grumbled about not having their phones, but most went with the flow—other than a few comments of wanting to take pictures.
After the hike, they cleaned up and went to the cafeteria. Corndogs and mac and cheese weren’t his ideal meal, but he filled up and threw in a bowl of apple slices for good measure. The kids enjoyed the food, but he had to stop five of the boys from sword fighting with the empty corndog sticks.
When it came time to climb Cardiac Ridge for the group meeting, he regretted eating so much. The heavy food combined with the heat were not conducive to physical exertion. Pride made him hide his shortness of breath. He didn’t want to embarrass himself in front of Trixie, who had made it with no problem. Then again, he’d noticed she’d chosen the healthier option of a salad. Her years of attending during junior and senior high must have prepped her for that smart choice because he knew she loved mac and cheese.
Five hundred students and their leaders from around the state crammed into the enclosed pavilion. A worship team played loud music, pumping the kids full of energy. As they progressed, the music slowed, bringing a reverent air to the room and then a hush.
Hank Yingling, the speaker for the week and a former country music singer, came on stage. He shared his testimony then tied it with a message about truth. “We live in an era when we’re told Truth is relative, but for that to be correct, it would mean there is no Truth. There is a Truth we can always count on, and that is found in Christ. In fact, Christ says, He is the Truth. In order to live full lives with healthy relationships, we have to acknowledge that Truth, see that Truth for what it is, and live in His Truth.”
Elijah listened, conviction storming his soul. He hadn’t been living truthfully when it came to Trixie. He had to tell her how he really felt about her, but more importantly, he had to let her know he’d accepted the position in South Carolina. If she found out from someone other than him it had the possibility of destroying the trust they’d built.
He committed to telling her tonight. Whether before group devotions when the kids had a canteen break, or after everyone had gone to bed. It was time to have a serious talk.
The chance didn’t come during the canteen break. One of the girls needed to talk and Trixie took her to a private area. Elijah didn’t see her again until the devotion time when they circled around a campfire with their church group. Knowing she’d have her hands full immediately after, he sidled up to her before they started. “Can you meet me back here after everyone’s in bed?”
Surprise flickered in her eyes. “Is everything okay?”
“Yes, but there’s something I need to tell you, and I don’t want to wait.” His stomach churned with nerves.
“I guess. I won’t get in trouble for coming here after lights out?” Her tone filled with curiosity and her voice shook, taking away the effect of her joke.
“Not if you’re a leader.”
She put a smile back on her face. “I’m starting to see the advantages of coming as a chaperone.”
“I’ll see you then.” A quick spin of his head revealed he’d lose control of the group if he didn’t get this started. He stood and went closer to the fire. “Everyone gather around.”
Although he had a devotion prepared, he opted to open the floor to anyone who wanted to share a matter on their heart. He’d discovered the most powerful lessons for his students often came from their peers.
Mindy Reyes stood up. “I realized tonight that I haven’t acknowledged God for Who He is. I’ve often treated Him like a genie in a bottle, then got upset when I didn’t get my way. Like not making varsity cheerleading. Tonight opened my eyes to the sovereign God He is, and when life doesn’t work out how I want, it’s not that my prayers aren’t answered, but that God is protecting me or leading me in a different direction.”
Elijah gave her a modest side hug, proud of the young lady she was becoming. “That’s a powerful insight.”
She returned to her seat, and Elijah allowed a turn to each person who wanted to speak, even when they ran out of time. Sharing was more important than sticking to a rigid schedule. The response of the group testified to their desperate need for Truth in a world run amok. He couldn’t be more proud of them and couldn’t wait to see how God continued to work in their lives.
You won’t be here to see.
He tried to ignore the pesky thought, but it pervaded his mind and wouldn’t let go. Why couldn’t he shake the sense he’d be abandoning these kids he’d grown to love in the last year? They were his Timothy, and he was Paul. Not that he’d ever consider himself worthy of a comparison to the great apostle, but he considered these teens his spiritual children to invest in and grow.
Leaving them would be the hardest thing he’d ever done.
No, that would be leaving Trixie. But maybe…
His mind traveled from possibility to possibility. Too unfocused, he let Mike and Landon take care of the unwind time, which was a free time that required a quiet activity. He skipped out early and returned to where they’d gathered for the campfire. Not an ember remained, but he had the light of a full moon.
