Faithful Journey

 I saw the most gorgeous sunset, nothing I could ever capture. God showing me that no matter where I go, He's there for me. I came to realize in summer of 2003 that God was revealing His great plan for me. I know what some of you maybe thinking but trust me I know that God was revealing His plan for my life. I didn't know growing up until the summer of 2003 when God wanted me to go into leading a children's camp for those who have felt lost with no direction. I first thought this was crazy, I had no camp experience but it was something that God was  wanting me to do and so in the summer of 2004 I opened up my first camp to those who were struggling in their faith, in their own relationship but also for those with learning disabilities. It was in 2005 that the camp got it's own plaque that read Come Seek The Lord And Trust In Him For I Can Do All Things Through Christ That Gives Me Strength And Trust In The Lord With All Your Heart And Lean Not On Your Own Understanding. I know that's a little long for a plaque but that is what became a camp motto for all of those who came to camp. They learned songs, they did devotions, they even wrote a song for it to be our theme and it went something like this, I will trust I will trust, I will give my heart to you, give me strength, give me strength to show me all that I can do, help me now, help me now show me all things are possible, help me grow, help me grow, let my love for you remain the same, and shine your light to me shine your light through me, help me to know that no matter where you're, your in my heart and you never ever leave me, so help me to seek you every day and help me to know that nothing is impossible because you will give us the strength to keep holding on to hope and no matter what we say or do, as long as you're here we know we'll be okay because you provide and you remain faithful and your glory never fails and as we put our trust in you, we have faith to overcome the obstacles that we face, so show us your mercy and your grace and show us how you lead the way to you and for us because nothing is impossible for you. That song has been the theme song and the anthem song for every new camper and I'm proud to say over the years that nothing has changed. The motto and song remain the same, and God's love for us never fails. I am now proud to say that the camp God called me to lead and to run, has grown ever since and it is also my honor to say that it's won the best faith and hope for all generations of kindness award, and the ceremony is being held tonight, and the kids will be singing the song I just mentioned at the ceremony. We will also be saying the motto to close the ceremony out as we hope it encourages someone out there. My name is Melissa Ann Rodriquez and I'm 29 years old and I'm grateful and thankful to be the owner of my camp called, Motivation Encourage Respect Compassion Youth otherwise know as Mercy for short. We believe that Mercy is a name that fit for our camp because God shows us mercy every single day and He never let's us go and He is still working in our lives no matter where we are or what our goals are, He shows us those plans and the verse if you haven't read it yet, look  up Jeremiah 29:11 and you'll see exactly what I'm talking about and what I'm saying because God has a purpose for us all. I just want to say thank you all, for taking the time to read my story and my testimony that I shared with you, and I hope that one day, if you feel nervous to share your testimony, then don't be, because God created you in His Image and He will help you even if you're nervous. This is my tenth time sharing how God called me into be an owner and leader for a camp that I didn't think I would be good to start, but God showed me that His plan was different and that I could do it as long as I put my trust in Him.