Tag, Climbing, and God

To Sabbath School teachers: This story is for Sabbath, November 23.

By Andrew McChesney

T

en-year-old Kesia loved summer in her Native village of Togiak, Alaska. There was no school, and she could play all day outdoors. How she loved to play outdoors with her friends! They played tag and hide-and-seek and climbed on things.

But then Josephine came over with an invitation. Josephine was a kind young woman whom all the kids — including Kesia — loved dearly. Josephine asked, “Would you like to go to Bible Boot Camp?”

Kesia had never heard of Bible Boot Camp, and she asked what it was. Josephine said it was another name for Vacation Bible School and it was a lot of fun.

Kesia didn’t want to disappoint Josephine, but she didn’t want to go. It was summer, and she wanted to stay outdoors to play tag and hide-and-seek and to climb on things.

So, she didn’t go to Bible Boot Camp when it started. But her older brother and sister went — and they loved it.

Kesia’s sister told her, “I thought it was boring at first, but it really is fun!”

Her brother said, “There are lots of fun games, and the food is yummy.”

As Kesia listened, she thought to herself, “Hmm, I want to have fun!”

She went to Bible Boot Camp with her sister and brother. There, she learned a lot about God. She learned that He rested on the seventh day of Creation and that He asks people also to rest on the Sabbath. She was glad to know more about God.

After Bible Boot Camp ended, Josephine invited Kesia to go to church on Sabbath.

Kesia didn’t want to disappoint Josephine, but she didn’t want to go. It was still summer, and she wanted to stay outside to play tag and hide-and-seek and to climb on things.

But then Josephine told Kesia’s mother about going to church on Sabbath.

Mother said to Kesia, “I think it’s a good idea. I want you to go to church on Sabbath.”

Then Kesia’s older brother and sister also invited her to go with them to church on Sabbath. They had started going after Bible Boot Camp.

To Kesia, it seemed like everyone wanted her to go to church on Sabbath. So, she went. At church, she learned more about God, and she was happy to know God better.

The next summer, when Kesia was 11, Josephine told her about a summer camp where kids enjoyed yummy food, made new friends, and learned more about God. “Would you like to go?” Josephine asked.

Kesia didn’t have to be asked twice. It was summer and, at the camp, she could play tag and hide-and-seek and climb on things. She also wanted to know more about God.

At first, Kesia didn’t get to know more about God at Camp Polaris. She was too busy enjoying the food and making new friends. She was so happy to see that Josephine was a camp leader. As the camp continued, Kesia got to know more about God as she sang songs and listened to morning and evening worship talks.

Before she knew it, the week was over, and the kids were packing up to go back home. Kesia felt sad to say goodbye to her new friends. But then a friend spoke about coming back to camp the next year.

Kesia thought, “Next year! I didn’t know there is a next year!”

The next summer she returned to camp — and she kept on coming back every year after that. When she was 16, she became more than a camper. She became a counselor-in-training, helping camp leaders work with the kids. Kesia said it was hard to learn to act like a grown-up leader at camp. “I am used to being a kid,” she said. “But I am trying to be a leader.”

Part of a previous Thirteenth Sabbath Offering helped improve Camp Polaris with new cabins and real toilets and showers. Kesia and the children at Camp Polaris are grateful to everyone who gave to that Thirteenth Sabbath Offering. You can help Alaska Native children by giving to this quarter’s Thirteenth Sabbath Offering on December 28.