CAMP OTS: WELCOMING THE CHILDREN OF OAK TRAIL SHORES IN JESUS’ NAME
Oddly, it started out about food. Elizabeth is a great cook and uses her God given culinary talent serving on StoneWater’s Meal ministry. As needs arise, she cooks and delivers meals for StoneWater members who are experiencing death of a loved one, hospitalization, or a crisis. While Elizabeth was driving to deliver food for a StoneWater member who is battling cancer, she recently prayed, “Lord, please use me in whatever way you want me to serve.”
Two weeks later, Elizabeth was invited to a meeting with other churches exploring StoneWater getting involved in a summer meal program. Even then, she never dreamed that God had other things in mind for her summer. Elizabeth was looking forward to serving meals through Ruth’s Place.
But StoneWater’s Lara Whidden caught a totally different vision at that meeting. When Lara heard a brief mention that Ruth Place’s place wasn’t going to be able to provide summer activities for the children of Oak Trail Shores, she felt God redirecting StoneWater’s involvement. Lara surprised Elizabeth when she asked her to head Camp OTS instead of serving meals.
At first, the directional change caught Elizabeth off guard. But Elizabeth’s husband, Lance, who serves on StoneWater’s tech team, reminded her of her prayer for God to use her “however He wanted to”. As they prayed about it, Elizabeth sensed God was definitely calling her to step out in faith, even though it wasn’t what she originally expected.
Oak Trail Shores was developed in the 1970’s and currently is home to 2500 people and over one thousand homes. Ruth’s Place impacts the neighborhood by providing food boxes, teaching English as a Second Language, training, and providing medical and car clinics. The bags of food that we bring for StoneWater Serves bless Ruth’s Place so they can continue to meet needs in OTS.
Elizabeth recruited journey group friend, Bethany Hart, who serves in the children's ministry at StoneWater to be a co-leader. Ironically, Bethany, had been disappointed that her summer medical mission trip to Kenya with her husband Brad, a Granbury surgeon (who serves on the tech team & parking team), had been postponed. She started praying that God would use her somewhere else this summer. When Bethany heard Elizabeth share about the need for the children at Oak Trail Shores, she realized that God wanted her to serve there instead. The Harts were first exposed to the needs at Oak Trail Shores last May when their Homebuilders journey group cleaned a yard at StoneWater Serves.
Camp OTS will operate out of Ruth’s Place in Oak Trail Shores in partnership with the summer lunch program. The crafts and games will held in a building extension that was made possible by a StoneWater member.
Starting June 6, our church will provide crafts, games, devotions, sports, and fun for the children ages 4 to 18 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from noon to 1 p.m. all summer long. Elizabeth and Bethany need an army of volunteers to staff this massive outreach. Come early to build friendships with the kids during lunch.
Anyone who loves kids and wants to make a difference can serve after going through a background check and one hour of training. Training will be held at Ruth's Place (2723 Maplewood in Oak Trail Shores) on June 1st (noon to 1 p.m.) or June 6th (noon to 1 p.m.). Elizabeth and Bethany are excited that the seniors and college students at StoneWater who want to get involved. But they still need a minimum of five volunteers, three days a week. You can volunteer for one day, or as often as you can. Recruit your journey group to participate too!!
With such a great need for volunteers to make Camp OTS possible, both Elizabeth and Bethany were encouraged by Pastor Chris Williams' recent message about Gideon’s army. It was a confirmation message for them. “We’re definitely stepping out of our comfort zone and we’re counting on God to provide the help we need to love these hurting children for Jesus,” Bethany said. Elizabeth added, “In the Bible, Jesus invites the children to come to Him and we’re so excited that we get to be involved.”
Even if you can’t volunteer, you can help by making a donation (funds are needed to by the crafts and supplies) and by praying for Elizabeth, Bethany, the volunteers, and children at Camp OTS. And Ruth’s place always appreciates donations of canned and boxed food, hygiene products, diapers (especially larger sizes), and gently used clothes. They also have a special need for doctor and nurse volunteers to support their medical clinics.
One hour is a small sacrifice to make to show a special child that someone cares. Elizabeth believes, “God can use our love with the kids of Oak Trail Shores to launch exciting new seeds that will help break the cycle of poverty and addiction while making an eternal difference.”
For Elizabeth and Bethany, these two moms get excited when they, “Think about these kids catching a glimpse of the love of Jesus and sharing their experiences with their families and community.” They both are getting their whole family involved. As Bethany is learning, “You don’t have to leave Hood County to be a missionary this summer!” Will you welcome a child in His Name?
For more information on how to help please e-mail campOTS@stonewaterchurch.com or you call:Bethany Hart – (254)624-9455 orElizabeth Gowens – (806)445-4352.
