It is another stunningly beautiful day in the Poconos. It’s not just any day. It’s Shabbat. It’s not just any Shabbat. It’s Shabbat at Camp Or L’Dor, and it’s our chai year, the 18^th time this blessing has been bestowed on us.

Most of you know a summer camp for Messianic Jewish teens was just a dream of Sid’s for decades until Rabbi Nathan came to Ruach Israel when the two teamed up to make that dream a reality. Literally blood, sweat, and tears with perseverance by so many dedicated volunteers and staff have molded Camp Or L’Dor’s formation and blossoming. Yet there has been one constant since day one – the campers.

I have never forgotten a comment made by Rabbi Claire, the rabbi at Surprise Lake Camp where Or L’Dor was held in its second year. Surprise Lake Camp is the oldest Jewish camp in the U.S. and, back then especially, it was a miracle as a Messianic Jewish camp that we were there. We leased space on their grounds so their campers and ours would each do our own activities, but also, could see each other’s as well. Perhaps my favorite memory of that year was seeing both camps’ young people dancing in the field together at Kabbalat Shabbat and Rabbi Nathan being asked by Rabbi Claire to lead Havdalah the next evening for the combined camps. It was a prophetic vision of what someday will be.

Rabbi Claire and I had great times together there and after camp as well. One day as we were each heading to our respective Shabbat services she asked me how it is that our campers love to come to services, not just on Shabbat but even daily!! She was literally in awe of out Torah readers, our worship filled music, and especially that our teens were so engaged in prayerful time with God. This observation, this reality, is the one that draws me to camp over these many years, for it is watching God at work. It is awe inspiring.

These teens, some of whom have no such opportunity for intense Jewish prayer and education where they live, and even those who do, come here for that purpose, but I see them become filled with the Ruach. They daily have the discipline of prayer and Scripture study through Rabbi Nathan’s teachings, and even look forward to it! Yes, camp is fun, it’s social. The music is over the top! Yet those quiet times, the hours of prayer are what is transformative. The Holy Spirit is tangible. Yeshua’s love of them fills their hearts and souls, heals their brokenness.

I am writing this in the coolness of another blessed night looking forward to Shabbat services when morning will dawn. Our camper is only feet away from the Laskos’  camper with Yahnatan, Kristen, and amazing Max not just here for one day this year but for almost a full week!!! Baruch Hashem! I truly hope it has been for them the indescribable blessing it has been for us, for in the pain of the struggle there is joy and we are all lifted up closer to His Presence than even imaginable. We are blessed.

Though I don’t use electronics normally on Shabbat, doing so tonight seemed to get a bit of a God wink. Otherwise I’d probably still be sleeping for it is 3 AM. I’m sharing these reflections with you on this blessed day so you will be able to partake with me in its sweetness. Don’t let it be just another Saturday. Each Shabbat is so special, a day to lift up our Creator in the highest of praise and worship, to thank Him for all He is and provides, and for us at camp to especially thank Him for the young lives entrusted to us year after year.

May this truly be for you a Shabbat of overflowing gratitude to our Creator for His magnificence.

Shabbat shalom.

Diane