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 Date: May 18, 2010 Previous By Linda Johnson, Camp Wakonda, Wisconsin Conference Everywhere I looked spring at Camp Wakonda was bursting forth with new life.
As Jim and I worked around camp we sensed God’s presence. Flowers were poking their sleepy heads above the ground, the branches on the trees were budding and birds were singing their joyful songs of praise to their Creator. Behind a little bush in our woodsy back yard sat a new tiny baby fawn obediently waiting for its mother’s call. Seemed like everywhere we looked all of God’s creation was reflecting their Creator in some way. I ached to be a connecting link for my Creator.
It wasn’t long after that we received a call from Rogar Driver, our conference treasure asking us if we would like to have a Baptist couple come and work with us. Jim and I have greatly appreciated the help of all the retired couples throughout the years who have helped to make and keep God’s camp as a special place to touch hearts for Him.
So we enthusiastically said yes and waited for the time when they would arrive. From the first time we met George and Charlene Whiteaker we bonded. Their love for Jesus shone through in everything they did. They had retired early so that they could be a help and be a blessing to others. They went from one Baptist camp to another and when it was suggested to them to come to a Seventh day Adventist camp they were just as willing to come and help out. We ate together, worked together, laughed together and went to church together. Even though we were of different faiths our goals were the same; to reflect God’s love to others. On Friday nights we would have a special meal and worship time at our home for all the retired couples. We shared testimonies and prayed together.
When the summer was over all of us workers formed a circle, held hands and thanked God for His blessings and the privilege of working together with Him. Tears streamed down our faces as we hugged goodbye. Charlene said that they have never experience such closeness before among fellow workers.
Now we receive phone calls and text messages from our Baptist friends wishing us a Happy Sabbath! They shared with us that of all the Baptist camps that they have worked at they felt God’s Presence and Holy Spirit most at Camp Wakonda…and they plan to return again in the spring!
Now as spring once again approaches with promises of budding flowers, trees baring new leaves and robins coming home, nature once again gets ready to give glory to its Creator. We also are looking forward as a part of God’s creation to reflect the love of our Creator here at Camp Wakonda.
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