April was National Child Abuse Prevention Month and I failed to inform you.
All month I had been thinking about posting and didn't actually sit down to write something until now. I'm very sorry. Please forgive me.
As you may know, Camp Alandale is a place where those who have been abused receive healing. We know from talking with the campers and hearing their testimonies at camp how terrible the effects of abuse can be. We've heard countless stories of how abuse has destroyed families, destroyed futures, and destroyed lives.
We're fighting back though. We're not giving up and seek to destroy the cycle of abuse that gets passed down from generation to generation. We've seen the healing power of Jesus Christ change the lives of many campers. We've witnessed those with no family and no hope begin new lives in Jesus Christ.
You can be a part of this. You can make a difference in the life of an abused child for eternity. Here are four things you should have done in April that you can still do now to join the cause.
#1 Get Educated
There are some great websites out there to learn about the cause. You'll find ways to get involved, the history of child abuse prevention month, you can read the Presidential Proclamation, you'll find tool kits to use, and much more. Spend some time right now. Check out the websites from Child Welfare, National Children's Alliance, and Child Help.
#2 Apply to be a Counselor
Summer is just weeks away and we need more counselors. We recently had our counselor training, but even if you missed it you can still apply. You will be amazed at God's work when you counsel at Camp Alandale. Click here to download the application. If you're already a counselor share this blog, pass on the application, make announcements at your church, whatever. You are our best recruiters. Get word out that we need more counselors to reach more and more hurting children with the love of Jesus.
#3 Watch Movies
Not just any movies, but some excellent films that just came out. You should definitely see "ReMoved". It was awarded Best Film and Audience Choice at the 168 Film Festival and also won Best Film at the Enfoque Film Festival. Another movie more than worth your time is Royal Family Kid's "Camp" movie available on Netflix. Click here to view trailer. These two films will move you to be even more involved in the cause of fighting child abuse.
#4 Send a Child to Camp Alandale
Camp is changed lives. Many people ask whether or not a week a camp can change a child's life. If you're unable or unwilling to show up and counsel, you'll just have to believe my testimony that one week at camp is more than enough time to change a child's life. Of course, we recognize that it is Jesus Christ who does the changing, but we love that we get to participate in this ministry by providing a safe, loving, caring, and fun environment for these children. You can send a child to camp for $300 or $25/mo. Click here to learn how to give. If you want to read more, check out our previous posts for the Prayer Coordinators.
Of course there are many more things that you could add to this list. Feel free to share in the comments section below. We'd love to hear from you.
