Upon this Rock
When a group of teenagers gathered for a PF New Zealand camping event, it was the rocks they found that taught them the most.
Rocks in the Bible symbolize the strength and salvation of God, as well as a source of refuge and stability. So it may not be surprising that random rocks helped connect at-risk youth to God during a recent PF Angel Tree® camp.
It was PF New Zealand’s first such camp, which ran in partnership with Scripture Union’s Supakidz programme in July. Nearly twenty children of prisoners from poorer neighbourhoods participated. In addition to playing games—such as Bible secret agents—watching movies, and making snowballs, the kids enjoyed a rock-painting activity at the camp. A few of the campers accompanied Raewyn, a PF staffer, to collect the rocks at the Hutt River. The first rock they found was in the shape of a heart, but had a crack in it. As they found more rocks, they discovered seven that were also heart-shaped.
For the project, each camper was to pick a rock and paint a message on it. Before the project began, Raewyn showed the kids the cracked, heart-shaped rock and asked what the crack might symbolize. “A broken heart,” a young girl answered quickly. She agreed and suggested that when things happen that “break our hearts,” God’s love will help us through it. She explained that even if God seems distant during tough times, “all these rock hearts were telling us that Jesus really does love us.” She then instructed the kids to paint the rocks with words or images of strength. As they went about choosing their rocks, one of the young campers asked if she could have the one with the crack.
On the final day, the campers all decorated a large heart-shaped rock they had found the day before. Enthusiastic phrases such as, “God’s love is awesome,” and “the coolest camp ever” covered the large rock.
“We recognized that children at risk need to be given positive input to divert them from possibly ending up within the justice system,” said a PF staffer. PF New Zealand is working with local churches to organize follow-up activities for the children, to ensure that the relationships and positive influence continue.
