Do You Remember…Your First Camp Meeting?
Mine was the summer of 1977. I was baptized on January 1st that same year.
Although I had never been camping before, a new four-man tent was purchased and pitched at the Portage, Wisconsin, campground shortly before the sun set that first Friday night.
I was a little anxious with the unfamiliar aspects of it all, but filled with an expectation of what a wonderful heavenly experience this first camp meeting would provide for me, my three-year-old daughter Sasha and my four-year-old nephew Pete.
My tent was near the main meeting area, and as the music began that evening, I tried to get my two little ones to settle down for bed in their sleeping bags. But they were excited. I guess they were feeling the peace and joy of camp meeting too…even the air felt happy.
When I thought they were asleep, I went to the edge of the main tent listening as H.M.S. Richards Sr. spoke. Using only his Bible he shared about God and His great love for us. I can still picture him and how the Holy Spirit filled the place and my heart.
‘Dear God, Thank You for Your faithful pastors. What a blessing You’ve given us through them. Please continue to bless them as they share Your love and truth with us.’
Later that night, to add substantially to my first camp meeting experience, a bad storm came through Portage. While the kids slept peacefully, I sat up in my sleeping bag watching the sides of my tent breath heavily in and out until it lifted straight up, then back down on top of me. I sat with both hands in the air holding it as high up as I could and wondering, “Now, what do I do?” The storm wasn’t stopping.
Then a stranger’s voice called in asking if I was OK and telling me to bring the kids and come into their motorhome. It was a neighbor.
‘Dear Lord, Thank You for Your family members who show kindness to those around them. Bless those who are quick to help. Please remind me to be kind to those in need.’
And as God would have it, Sabbath morning dawned bright and clear. Though my tent was dampened, my soul was not. As we walked past a cabin, a young man named Brad sat playing his guitar and singing. His music filled the morning and me with the feeling ‘this must be what Heaven is like’.
‘Dear God, Thank You for the beautiful sounds of Camp Meeting. For voices and songs that lift us up to You and our eternal home. May our songs of praise bring joy to Your heart.’
As you enjoy this year’s Camp Meeting through the messages, music, activities, children and youth, family time, food and friends, remember how God has blessed us in the past and continues to bless us today, and thank Him.
Lesa J. Budd is the prayer coordinator for the Wisconsin Conference.