KAA Volunteer Perspectives

“Every corner of the silver van was filled with some form of excitement as we drove down the interstate toward KAA. 7-1/2 hours and the kids never missed a beat! Outdoing each other’s laughter, singing along to Kirk Franklin and trying to communicate with the other vans we traveled with. It wasn’t hard to join in with them and I wondered if I might be the most excited to be on this adventure. I’d grown up going to camp and I couldn’t wait to see how each girl would like the new experience.

Kids Across America Camp, or a loud “KAA!” as we soon learned to call it. . .didn’t let us down. The girls were inundated with new fun and new challenges throughout the week. They were placed in cabins with different girls; they conquered “The Blob” at the pool and ropes courses; in the evening they were challenged by excellent speakers and their cabin leaders who spoke of God and real day-to-day issues for the urban kid.

For me, the greatest thing was the opportunity to observe and spend an entire week with the girls. I witnessed their unique personalities, praying hard when difficult situations arose and praying harder as I saw their eyes lighten with new understandings of God. Girls who were usually hard to read during Tuesday night club shed inhibitions. I found them to be like all teenagers who find life full of changes and questions and was thankful for this setting where people took each kid seriously.

On the ride home, the van was more subdued as girls reminisced over the week. Looking in my rearview mirror, I realized what an incredible week I had. Behind me sat a group of loud, excited teenage girls who I now better understood and who had truly become part of my community.”

–Chelsey, volunteer

“When I look back over my summer and see all that God has shown me, my soul cries out, ‘Hallelujah!’ At the beginning of the summer I was in a valley. I felt I needed to have an encounter with God and His people. Be careful what you ask for! I had the opportunity with three other volunteers to take kids to KAA camp. First let me start off by saying I am not a camp person. This was my first experience — I know some of you are dying with laughter. Let’s just say I believe God invented hotels for a reason!

At KAA camp, being an example is huge. The camp stressed if you lead, others will truly follow. When we arrived at camp it was hot and humid! My first thought was, “a sista does not do heat!” KAA is located in the Ozarks—you have to hike everywhere. So not only do you have to battle the weather, but also the physical challenge. Mindful of this, I was supposed to model a thankful heart, joy, obedience and not complain. I thought, “Father I am not going to make it.” How was I supposed to be the leader? Just as I thought this, I saw this lady in her late sixties walk by me with a walking stick—“Wow!” Little did I know she was a cabin mate of mine.

Ms. Nell, as we called her, and her husband brought a van load of kids from Oklahoma for the firsttime to camp, simply because they love children. That night in our cabin devotionals she shared that she had undergone double bypass surgery and was diabetic. I had the opportunity to watch her and talk with her all week. By the second day, not only had words of discomfort left my lips, but thoughts of complaining left too. I thought to myself, “If Ms. Nell can do it I can too!” Talk about being an example!

This opened the door to experience God in a whole new way. As I walked through the woods to the chapel each day, instead of telling God how miserable I was, I sang praises to Him. Nature is not my thing but, when you are open, God can show you magnificent things. I heard the Father speak glorious things in those woods. He whispered through the trees, “I have called you to be a light in the inner city. I want you to share my love with my people. I want you to be an example of hope to these kids. Teach them to dream; for with Me, all things are possible.” Tears streamed down my face as I answered, “yes, Lord.”

After this, it was easy to model a heart of thanksgiving. I could speak with confidence to the kids that God had brought us here to experience him in a new way. I saw some of ours kids smile and laugh for the first time.

I am reminded of Paul and Timothy’s relationship. Paul modeled to Timothy what it meant to walk in the Light. If I could say one thing it would be, “who is the Paul in your life and to whom are you being Paul? This summer I learned, if you want to experience God, you must see His heart and show others what you have learned. My commitment to the girls in my club is to be a Paul and show them that Phil. 4:13 (“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”) is Truth.”
--Audrady, volunteer

Click here to find out how you can be involved!


Ministering God's Love in Lincoln's Urban Neighborhoods
	“Every corner of the silver van was filled with some form of excitement as we drove down the interstate toward KAA. 7-1/2 hours and the kids never missed a beat! Outdoing each other’s laughter, singing along to Kirk Franklin and trying to communicate with the other vans we traveled with. It wasn’t hard to join in with them and I wondered if I might be the most excited to be on this adventure. I’d grown up going to camp and I couldn’t wait to see how each girl would like the new experience. Kids Across America Camp, or a loud “KAA!” as we soon learned to call it. . .didn’t let us down. The girls were inundated with new fun and new challenges throughout the week. They were placed in cabins with different girls; they conquered “The Blob” at the pool and ropes courses; in the evening they were challenged by excellent speakers and their cabin leaders who spoke of God and real day-to-day issues for the urban kid. For me, the greatest thing was the opportunity to observe and spend an entire week with the girls. I witnessed their unique personalities, praying hard when difficult situations arose and praying harder as I saw their eyes lighten with new understandings of God. Girls who were usually hard to read during Tuesday night club shed inhibitions. I found them to be like all teenagers who find life full of changes and questions and was thankful for this setting where people took each kid seriously. On the ride home, the van was more subdued as girls reminisced over the week. Looking in my rearview mirror, I realized what an incredible week I had. Behind me sat a group of loud, excited teenage girls who I now better understood and who had truly become part of my community.” –Chelsey, volunteer “When I look back over my summer and see all that God has shown me, my soul cries out, ‘Hallelujah!’ At the beginning of the summer I was in a valley. I felt I needed to have an encounter with God and His people. Be careful what you ask for! I had the opportunity with three other volunteers to take kids to KAA camp. First let me start off by saying I am not a camp person. This was my first experience — I know some of you are dying with laughter. Let’s just say I believe God invented hotels for a reason! At KAA camp, being an example is huge. The camp stressed if you lead, others will truly follow. When we arrived at camp it was hot and humid! My first thought was, “a sista does not do heat!” KAA is located in the Ozarks—you have to hike everywhere. So not only do you have to battle the weather, but also the physical challenge. Mindful of this, I was supposed to model a thankful heart, joy, obedience and not complain. I thought, “Father I am not going to make it.” How was I supposed to be the leader? Just as I thought this, I saw this lady in her late sixties walk by me with a walking stick—“Wow!” Little did I know she was a cabin mate of mine. Ms. Nell, as we called her, and her husband brought a van load of kids from Oklahoma for the firsttime to camp, simply because they love children. That night in our cabin devotionals she shared that she had undergone double bypass surgery and was diabetic. I had the opportunity to watch her and talk with her all week. By the second day, not only had words of discomfort left my lips, but thoughts of complaining left too. I thought to myself, “If Ms. Nell can do it I can too!” Talk about being an example! This opened the door to experience God in a whole new way. As I walked through the woods to the chapel each day, instead of telling God how miserable I was, I sang praises to Him. Nature is not my thing but, when you are open, God can show you magnificent things. I heard the Father speak glorious things in those woods. He whispered through the trees, “I have called you to be a light in the inner city. I want you to share my love with my people. I want you to be an example of hope to these kids. Teach them to dream; for with Me, all things are possible.” Tears streamed down my face as I answered, “yes, Lord.” After this, it was easy to model a heart of thanksgiving. I could speak with confidence to the kids that God had brought us here to experience him in a new way. I saw some of ours kids smile and laugh for the first time. I am reminded of Paul and Timothy’s relationship. Paul modeled to Timothy what it meant to walk in the Light. If I could say one thing it would be, “who is the Paul in your life and to whom are you being Paul? This summer I learned, if you want to experience God, you must see His heart and show others what you have learned. My commitment to the girls in my club is to be a Paul and show them that Phil. 4:13 (“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”) is Truth.” --Audrady, volunteer Click here to find out how you can be involved!