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This Spring, we hosted a women’s group for a weekend.  These were women who had never been to camp, women who had never experienced the mountains, women who served, women who loved, women who changed my life, women who experienced a weekend like no other. These women were angels sent from God! This is my story…

One weekend at El Camino Pines we had a group of 120 women from Real Life Church. In the past I have experienced their men’s group but never their women’s group. What I knew from this church was that they were servants and very friendly. I completely saw this in their actions and words. Throughout the weekend the ladies constantly smiled when they saw us, greeted us every meal with a, “Hello! How are you?” or “You are so wonderful. Thank you.”

Our staff was aware of the snow that was coming that weekend but we didn’t expect what was to come. Some of the ladies had concerns about the storm but we reassured them. On Saturday the snow started to fall down slowly but it looked thick. Once I saw that I knew that wasn’t the end of it. I woke up the next day, opened my blinds and saw the beginning of a blizzard that I will never forget. At breakfast I had made the announcement, “Good morning ladies. I want to let you know you are getting out today. You are our priority. We are here to serve you. You have no need to worry because we are here for you.” After I said that they all jumped up and cheered. It was beautiful to see! Immediately after breakfast the staff and I began the laborious task of shoveling and getting cars out.  I was in charge of getting the ladies organized and assisting them with their luggage. The snow at this point was above my knees. It was outrageous! All of the ladies were asked to stay in the chapel as we were taking care of their cars. I am more of the hospitality type and less the shoveling type, so I stayed with the ladies and helped with luggage. At one point I was helping a group of ladies from Cabin 3 to the parking lot. They had several pieces of luggage and we used a luggage cart to carry all of it. As I was doing this I started to lose my strength and perseverance.  I walked in the chapel and was greeted with love, smiles and words of encouragement from the ladies. They asked how they could help, if we needed anything or even if they could make me a sandwich. I was in awe of their willingness to serve. In my mind I was thinking, “No we are here to serve you.” But these ladies wanted to serve and help us. I continued to calm their fears and let them know we were doing our best to get them out. These ladies insisted that they could help. So I took a group of them out and we started to shovel and push cars out. It was beautiful to see them working together, laughing and encouraging one another. Their joyful hearts & spirits were exactly what I needed.  I thank God for all of these ladies who inspired me to serve and never give up.

The women of Real Life Church were angels sent from God. Through this difficult time they helped us smile, feel loved and gave us the energy we needed.  I thank each and every one of them for their servant hearts and joyful spirits. They changed my life and helped me never forget what it means to be a servant of God. I am blessed to have met them and thankful we got to experience that weekend together.

Have you ever had a time where you needed the help of others to get through a difficult time?

- Anthony