Justin is one of our alumni campers who became a 2015 Timothy Graduate, and now serves on staff. He shared his testimony in chapel one night for the other campers. We thought it would encourage your heart…

“I grew up as the second born, and I have three siblings. My dad was into drugs and in and out of prison, so my mom had to try to pay all the bills and provide for us kids.

My problem was trying to fit in with everyone else. I would try to dress like other people, and be like them. If I did not get the up-to-date stuff that I wanted from my mom, I would hate her, or just be mean to her. I could hear people talking about me and I would get mad on the inside but keep that smile on my face. When I would get home from school, I would go into my closet and cry. I never let anyone know my problems, so I just kept smiling and tried to make people laugh.

I began coming to camp when I was 9 years old. I barely knew about God – I knew he existed, but I didn’t really know him. I kept coming back and learning about God and I finally realized that He loves me for who I am. And that meant to me, that I can be me. So when someone talked about me, I would not care and when I got home from school I prayed for them and me. God has helped me to become me and just to be myself.

Camp David has helped me a lot with my situation and also helped my family grow strong in God. When I first came to camp, I was unsure if it was ok to let anyone in, to really know me. After coming to camp, I knew that I could trust this place, camp helped my family too- it let us be us. Also, I learned that God is always there for us, no matter what my family went through! I am grateful I have had the opportunity to learn more about God!!”