I consider it a privilege to serve with Sandy Cove Ministries because one of their major focal points is running a summer kid’s camp. Summer youth camp had a significant place in my early spiritual formation. I attended a wonderful camp located on an island in the middle of Lake Erie. The camp was situated on a wide peninsula that stuck out towards Canada. The property stretched from one side of the peninsula on the west to the other side on the east. Each day we could view the sun rising and setting over water. One of my earliest experiences of deep connection with God came while watching a sunset when I was about 12 years old after a particularly rough storm had just passed over the island. After the storm, the water from the lake continued to leap over the rocks that lined the shore. I was sitting on a bench along the western side just as the clouds began to break apart and the sun began to peek gently through small creases. A riot of colors splashed across the evening sky. In that moment, I was overwhelmed by the beauty that stretched out in front of me. I was convinced of the goodness of God. The gift of that sunset has stayed with me for over 40 years. Through many changes in theological perspectives, one thing has remained – a sense of God’s goodness. I’m sure that experiences like I had at camp were critical in forming that sense – and I’m thankful for those who made that camp experience possible.
Todd Rivetti 