Alexandra "Xan" Frey worked at Camp Wakonda the last two summers.
We lived on a cul-de-sac less than a mile from the elementary school and had bonfires with our neighbors. We attended church on Sunday morning, went shopping afterward, and made it home before the next big football game. I was a Vikings fan through and through. But I had no idea what I was missing.
When I was 13, my parents got divorced. Our family was torn in two. Nevertheless, God still shines His light through the darkness. An older gentleman came into our lives, and he introduced my mom, brother and me to a church that worships on Saturday. I personally had never heard of such a thing, and it was very intriguing. I began to study for myself and question everything I knew about religion. The crazy thing was, it all made sense! So, we went to church on Saturday and began to honor that as a day of rest. However, it wasn’t that simple. My entire family is Assembly of God and when I told my dad that I wasn’t going to church with him on Sunday anymore, he still required that I go with him. I tried to explain my new beliefs, but he just couldn’t see.
Then COVID hit. And you know what? God used the pandemic so that I could keep Sabbath and not be stuck fighting with my dad. Since then, we’ve come to terms with believing different things. It’s still hard being the odd one out at family gatherings and holiday celebrations, but I know that Jesus endured for me, so I can endure for Him.
Later on, my mom, brother and I were invited to an event called camp meeting. Friends from church spread the word to us and let us know that we could pitch a tent on their campsite. We only stayed for a few days, but I can say that it had a lasting impact on me. I was shocked by how many Seventh-day Adventists there were. It was so encouraging to know that I wasn’t the only one out there that believed this way. Soon enough, my brother and I were attending Camp Wakonda’s winter retreat in January and working at camp the following summer. God placed such wonderful people in my life that summer-- people that I still call friends to this day. I’ve been able to confide in them through the roughest times. Camp had such an influence on me that I couldn’t say no when I was asked to come back the next summer.
Had God not introduced me to the truth, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Through learning about the Sabbath, I’ve become a new person. I have a deeper, stronger relationship with Christ; I’ve got the best friends anyone could ask for; and I now have my husband who I met at camp. God knows exactly what He’s doing, even when it seems like we’re in the dark. Trust and obey. His plan is far greater than anything we could ever conjure up in our feeble minds. I thank God for His guidance and for showing me a better way of living. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path,” (Psalm 119:105).
Alexandra "Xan" Frey worked at Camp Wakonda the last two summers.
