Edith grew up in Sierra Leone, Africa. She gave her life to the Lord after finding a tract at a friends. Her faith drew her to Calvary University in Kansas City, where she was connected to ICI.

We always tell our camp staff to remember, “It isn’t over until the last kid has gone home.” Levi, one of our high school leaders, was exhausted and faced the temptation to rest on the ride home from camp, but he used the ride as an opportunity to have more conversations with kids about what they learned at camp. His discussion with Jayden was encouraging.

Alejandra saw this modeled for her at ICI: “When I didn’t believe in my own abilities I remember the difference it made to hear, ‘I believe in you. You can do this.’ Those words are so important when you don’t hear them in other places.”

Along my journey, God put humble leaders in my life. Being around those people made me want to imitate them and I realized leadership isn’t about outward strength but about setting an example for others to follow.

I came into my internship assuming that this summer would be a breeze! I grew up being a staff kid, so I figured that I had basically been “staff-in-training” my entire life and had all of the knowledge and skills to run things.

Before Christ, I had a lot of grudges and felt like everything had to be perfect. I tried to control a lot of things. Now I can leave things in God’s hands. When I am worried, I know I can trust God. I’m not angry anymore.

Joseph was the primary caregiver for his family by age twelve. Family members’ substance abuse and a lack of social support left him lost and alone. Staff at ICI provided support when there was no one else, which changed his life forever.

Sophomore year is when the teaching at ICI really got to me and I gave my life to Christ and changed the path I was on.