We were blessed to attend Starlite Shores Family Camp this year, after having scheduling conflicts the previous year. We didn’t know quite what to expect, but starting with the large crew of welcomers, our week was off to a great start. Our host family was kind and generous and helped us get settled comfortably and served us well throughout the week. William, who had finished chemotherapy the previous summer, was thrilled to see all the activities available at the Ministry Center. We all really enjoyed the water activities on Gull Lake, especially the tubing, fishing & jumping-in from the boats & drivers that were so generously provided. We adults appreciated just having time to Be…. time to connect with each other and other parents in our groups and over dinner at The Manor House, and hear their amazing stories of perseverance and hope in the midst of tough times. Starlite Shores is such a blessing to so many families dealing with childhood cancer and all the related struggles and stresses that come with that diagnosis. So, we often say as a family that, while childhood cancer stinks, there are many good things that have come out of such a scary situation — and Starlite Shores is indeed one of those good things.
From the moment we arrived, every need was taken care of by our wonderful host family or another leader. Our children were cared for and loved beyond measure. The discussions we had as parents during common ground helped us work through emotions we didn’t even know we felt. God’s presence was tangible each day, and we all walked away feeling healed from the cancer journey we had been on.
So I was very hesitant about going this camp in Michigan for cancer families but I must say God blessed me and my family with this spiritual retreat. My daughter Jazmine had a blast playing with kids who were going through the same things for those couple days and we were able to enjoy life without cancer for a week. I cried my heart out and it felt good.
Most of our downtime revolves around things that need to be done, and our phones nearly ringing nonstop and I never feel refreshed. Never. This week was different, we were with our kids and yes they are busy and there were issues here and there but we actually left feeling refreshed. We had 5 days and we didn’t have to plan anything, think about meals, laundry, bill paying, work or childcare….. anything. My husband Andrew’s phone rang no more than 5 times all week and yesterday it rang 5 times that much. The Lord knew we needed rest and He used this camp, many wonderful volunteers and very gracious hosts and an extreme lack of phone calls to give us this rest. My husband said, “I’ve never said this but I think walking into this camp was the closest I have ever felt to thinking I had died and gone to Heaven.
My family Spent the last week at a place called Starlite Shores Family Camp. It’s a camp like no other. A place where God’s presence is felt, seen and heard. A place where all of the kids are truly friends. A place where brokenness isn’t ignored but it is surrounded by support. A place where people are renewed and see a glimpses of Christ unfailing love for us. I went to serve and found out that I was being served so much more. This is a camp where I thought I would be helping them. Those families have incredible stories. Heartbreaking stories. But they all have amazing strength and hope. It all comes down to knowing that in the end of all of this Jesus gave himself for us. If you are looking for a way to serve as a family don’t miss this next opportunity. The family you serve may just change you too.
I will be honest. I went to camp kicking and screaming. I have a hard time talking out loud about our battle and was very apprehensive. But I will say this was one of the most uplifting and eye opening experiences of my life.
