Discovered Confidence

Antonio showed up at day camp with his backpack held tight and his head bent down. He was disengaged and on the fringe, making it clear he wanted nothing to do with the staff or other campers. But as the days went on at camp, Antonio asked if counselors could call him by his more familiar name, “Tony.” And Tony started to listen. He began to hear the voices cheering him up the Climbing Wall, the words of encouragement spoken by his counselor and the songs of joy and hope that echo throughout camp. On the last day, Tony spent much of the day wiping away tears on his cheeks. Before, hesitant to enter; now, reluctant to leave. Tony lived into his own name championed not just by the community around him, but by the One who created him. And as he did so, he discovered a residing confidence in opening himself up to new relationships and experiences.

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