This post goes out to our most honorable camper, Elian Alexander Alfaro!
A little bit about Elian, well, so much could be said. Elian is unlike any other child of his generation. He is utterly unattached to the things of this world, is unbelievably mature, meek and is quite a child of God as he has already preached his first sermon (to a room full of adults by the way). Elian has such a mild character, temperate in many things, excluding cake and donuts. He has a such a serious demeanor at all times, so much so, you can just see that his mind is stayed on God. His love and comprehension for the word is strikingly uncanny for someone so young.
At the tender age of 9, Elian suffered from neurological trauma that resulted in uncontrollable muscle spasms throughout his body and other symptoms. Though he never spent one day in camp, he was always a part of our classes that we conducted before camp and is the eldest brother of the baby and youngest child you've seen in the other pictures.
Though he was never physically present for camp, he was remembered and prayed for by the children DAILY. None of the children that attended camp had ever seen him nor met him (until the end of camp), but had such a love for him. Everyone had so much confidence that God will heal him that at times, they'd even begin to spat about wanting to be the first to pray for him during camp.
Elian is now 10 years old now. The road has been bumpy, unpredictable, tiresome and rough, however through it all, has progressed toward healing, thank you, JESUS. One of Elian's favorite Biblical stories is the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the fiery furnace. Before this condition hit, Elian had an encounter with God, who let him know that He was with them in that furnace and that He is with him also. I'd like to believe that alone is the reason for his courage through this tough time, obviously where he draws his Strength and Joy. His laughter, delight and incredible sarcasm remains fully in tact (laughs), but only to show us how to endure hardship regardless of circumstance, God is with us always and how to hold on to our hope through the journey.
We don't know how long he will have to endure this, but on account of God's word, we know his change WILL come.
WE LOVE YOU, ELIAN!!!
(His change did come, he put off this corruptible body and put on his incorruptible body. Death was swallowed up in VICTORY!!!)
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