What you can expect when you come here
is to be surprised and to feel like you
can let go of so many of your inhibitions.
When I was coming in to be
an STM, I was expecting more of it to be
like a task that I had to do and I
didn't think it'd be that fun.
You can expect to be really tired and to bless
others and be blessed at the same time.
To do the job of STM, it's very important to
be flexible physically and emotionally,
to be open to whatever your camper wants
to do, and to be understanding and loving.
It is an amazing blessing to be a part
of such a wonderful ministry.
I try to make it as fun as possible for my camper
just making sure to have a
great time you know do whatever they
want to do it's not about me, so thinking
about them and just being a friend to
them and a friend to the family also.
So if you're thinking about coming but not sure
if you want to be a short-term
missionary because maybe you have a
disability, well I disability and have
been a volunteer for the past three or
four years and was a camper for many
years before that, so definitely don't
have to let a disability hold you back
from considering being a short term missionary.
For someone who was signing up to be an
STM for the first time, I would expect an
absolutely unforgettable experience of
service and ministry to a loved one who
is a member of a family and the family
comes here to be refreshed and you're
able to come and bring that refreshment
and that encouragement to that family.
You'll come here you'll be trained
you'll know exactly what to do and
you'll feel a tremendous feeling of
support from your peers.
There is nothing like being hugged by one of the campers
here it's just absolutely fantastic.
The reason why I love Johnny and friends is
because there really is no other place
like it. It is a little slice of heaven
and each time I come I'm just touched by
the kids and you think you're serving
them but really in reality they're
serving you much more than you could
ever imagine.
And it will be a stretching experience and it
will be a will be a little difficult at
times but it will be so worth it.
And going home is so hard because you leave a
little piece of your heart here and you
have more of the love of Jesus each time
you come and I'm just so thankful for
this opportunity.
If you already have a God-given love for people in your heart
I think you're ready, I think you're
really ready.
I would definitely recommend Johnny and friends to somebody
wants to serve and the reason for that
is it's completely life-changing.  I mean
i've been to other camps and they're
really great, but there's something
special about Joni and Friends that you
have to come to experience it.
