Carolina Key

  Ch. 3 Hope

  The crucifixion reenactment went off without a hitch despite repaired costumes and a few flubbed lines. The campers stood back and watched, their mouths open and tears filling their eyes. They had been too busy with the task of living from day to day to ever phantom what had happened to a lowly carpenter’s son on Golgatha. Many of the girls wept, tears flowing down their faces. Two of the girls in Grace’s cabin, Stephanie and Jennifer, clung to my hands.

  “I just never knew what he went through,” Stephanie said, pressing her head against my chest

  as I hugged her close.

  “I know, baby.” I said. “But he did and He would do it again, even if you were the only person left on earth.”

  “No, no I’m worthless. I’m not good for anything,” Stephanie sobbed.

  “Not so sweet girl, not true at all.”

  I signaled to the girls’ head counselor, a wonderful girl named Susan, and soon Stephanie was

  surrounded by other campers and staff. Later that night she put on Christ in baptism at the creek while

  all 120 campers watched. There were 40 kids baptized in all. What a wonderful way to end the

  day! Stephanie would have a lot to overcome when she returned home. Her past included a mother who

  was hooked on speed and a father who lost custody of her while in jail for felony drunk driving.

  I arrived home exhausted but still flying high from the spiritual joy of seeing so many lives and hearts touched. I came into the kitchen, leafed through the usual bills, and checked the answering machine. There was one message from Shirley.

  “Hope, I need to talk to you privately. Can you come to my office after breakfast and ride to town with me? I need to get some things for the scavenger hunt and decorations for the banquet. I want to tell you about something I discovered. Something is not right.” she said.

  “Something is not right? What is she talking about?” I asked my empty kitchen. Well,

  whatever it was could wait until morning. I had been on my feet all day and I was exhausted. I

  enjoyed a hot shower and then related all the events of the day to my wonderful husband, Phillip.

  He was thrilled to hear of the campers response and also happy to hear that Grace was doing well. We talked for a while then turned out the lights and went to sleep.