Going to camp

Jesus, help me trust that new experiences can work out well. Amen!

Jesus sent out the 12 Apostles, two by two, to teach people everywhere about God. He told them not to take food, extra clothes or even money, but to depend on people along the way to help them out. The Apostles went off and taught, and healed many sick people.

Have you ever been to camp? Some kids spend part of the summer at a sports camp, a summer camp in the woods or a daytime vacation Bible school. Those are great places to learn how to swim, practice your tennis swing or understand more about Bible stories.

Of course, lots of kids miss home when they go to camp or feel scared about spending the day with new people. It can be hard to concentrate on learning or having fun when you're in a strange place with people you don't know!

In this week's Gospel (Mark 6:7-13), when Jesus told the Apostles to go to other towns and teach people about God, they were probably as uncomfortable as a kid going to camp. They'd be meeting new people, not knowing if people would treat them well or be mean.

One way to deal with going to camp is to jump right in: Introduce yourself to other kids; sign up for a sport; find a group to sit with. That way, you'll soon have people to hang out with and activities to focus on when you get nervous. As Jesus said, it's okay to ask other people to help you!

As the Apostles started to teach, they must have worried that some people wouldn't want to hear it. But they said what they needed to say. Some people probably didn't listen -- but others did, and sick people were healed.

Like kids at camp, the Apostles learned that even when you're scared, a new experience can still be a success!