Michael Waalen, Ox Lake Program Director

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

In the summer of 2017, I served as Assistant Program Coordinator at Ox Lake.  Staff training had started, we had a strong staff in place, and a bunch of campers on the way.  We felt unstoppable.  Then we were dealt the news that one of our counselors had a change of plans for the summer.  We all of a sudden had a big hole to fill.

In moments like these, I remember the words from Jeremiah.  Even though the situation feels desperate, chaotic, and hopeless, God is right there with me and has a plan.  That summer the plan happened to arrive in the form of my brother Shawn.  I remember talking to him, brother to brother, about our staffing predicament and without hesitation, he committed to taking the open position.  I recall a sense of relief but also the feeling of excitement for the opportunity to work at camp with my brother.

Shawn rose to the challenge of coming into the staff dynamics late.  He immediately formed strong relationships and learned everything about Ox Lake in order to be ready for campers to arrive.  What a gift!

As the summer went on, it became clear to me that Shawn was meant to be working at Ox Lake and God was the maker of that plan.  What I wasn’t prepared for however, was the special privilege to witness my brother gain confidence, grow in his faith, and transform into the leader he is today.  Being able to work with my brother has truly been one of the bigger blessings in my life and I thank God for this opportunity every day.

Shawn has continued to grow in his faith and develop incredible leadership skills.  After three years in various summer staff roles, he is coming back for his fourth summer as an Assistant Program Coordinator at Ox Lake (yep, that is the job I had the summer he started at camp, isn’t God amazing!).  I am blessed to have another chance to work with him and see how he boldly shares his faith with staff and campers this summer.

I need to visit the words in Jeremiah often when chaos and uncertainty presents itself, and I wonder what God is up to in my life.  It isn’t always clear, but I’m learning every day to trust that God is at the center of it…and it’s going to be wonderful!