Bonding God’s Way

             People typically like to acknowledge that God is in control, and that His will is accomplished despite us and the circumstances we find ourselves in. But, on the other hand, I often wonder if they believe such a concrete statement that demands so much faith. Take, for example, the recent events during our Polish Young Life Camp. Roughly half the camp, including half the American teams contracted, to the best of our and doctor’s knowledge, the noro virus and ended up in the hospital. Yet, this experience produced a rapid bond between the camp leaders, Americans and Polish teens. Now, what is actually important to stress as to why this happened is not the drastic nature of the illness, that some people threw up anywhere from one to nine times. Neither is the fact that many were exhausted from being ill and going to the hospital, where they had very little sleep in an unfamiliar setting. Also of little actual importance is how tired many left at camp were from being up all night, transporting people back and forth from camp to hospital, and translating for and visiting those ill. Certainly, for those at camp, where I was, the day after the virus struck was quite a downer, as people were running on little energy and appetites were slim. Furthermore, it must have been extremely difficult for those in the hospital, while receiving multiple IV’s, sharing rooms with strangers and being given little information about when they would be released or what sickness they were infected with.

            Ultimately, what was so disheartening, yet of utmost importance, was the separation. The separation produced bonding that was evident and heartwarming. The members of the American team who were left behind were also able to take more of an upfront collaborative role in camp activities and planning, instead of just supporting the Poland Young Life leadership team, which was the original intention of our mission trip. Regardless, we all came together: with Kristy and her daughter Audrey, whose husband Dave, the camp speaker, was in the hospital; Marta, who was tireless in her efforts to be at the hospital with those sick!; Marietta; Michael; Jack; Jackie and Lynn—they all helped make camp as normal as possible. English classes even resumed, the day after the virus struck, with some changes of course; but, was still very successful also. I, especially, formed new relationships with people I had not taken the time to meet properly.

Ironically, I only came to realize this bond and the importance of the separation when those at the hospital started returning. Everyone was so glad to see normality return in the form of a familiar face, someone they’d actually only known for three or four days at best. It was like a reunion, as if we had left Poland for a year and returned the next to help out again at the 2^nd annual Polish Young Life camp and were reuniting with old friends. Groups ran to greet returnees and hearty embraces were exchanged. We heard stories of how supportive those at the hospital were towards each other, Polish and Americans, who were in the same room, or not, and how they bonded together from their common predicament. They did not feel so isolated, because they knew they were not alone.

            I believe the deepest longing of our hearts is to be in relationship, and the relationships we form with people around us reflect our need for relationship with our Heavenly Father. We are not alone when we have each other, and more importantly when we acknowledge that God is always near us. Then, to suggest that God is in control in the midst of seemingly chaotic situations is not such a stretch. He is the Creator, and He is creative, beyond our imaginations. Therefore, when things do not go as planned, we must acknowledge that God knew the course our lives would take and had a creative plan for us—for our betterment, for unity, for our bonds and relationships that point back to Him.

David Shewan