It was the last day of Preteen camp, and our final session of Christian Living classes were about to come to a close. The campers and staff radiated with joy and excitement for the rest of the day’s activities and this had been one of the best preteen camp years yet!

Then, just as we were getting ready to head to our final activities, we received an announcement about a little girl who is suffering from bone cancer. She wanted to come to Preteen camp but can’t—not until God heals her.

Our hearts turned with compassion and at that moment, everything stopped. We humbly bowed our heads before God, and turned our hearts to the Father to ask for her to be made well.

My eyes filled with tears and our hearts swelled with the love we shared—every little one, every staff member and ever counselor calling on God for our little sister in Christ, hurting and far away. But we weren’t alone, and neither are all those who are suffering in this world.

Jesus Christ prayed to the Father before His death: “Holy Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given Me, that they may be one even as We are” (John 17:11, NASB). Our prayers have gone out for you, and God has heard your prayers. We are your family, the family of God.