Olivia’s Story of Hope

God draws people to Him in unique ways. For so many, it’s through a song, at just the right time. For others, it might be a week of summer camp.

Did you know we are part of a ministry dedicated to making hope louder for kids and teens?

River Valley Ranch, also part of the Peter & John Ministries family, is a beautiful 500-acre year-round retreat facility and summer camp in northern Carroll County that’s been introducing kids to Jesus for over 70 years!

Over the decades, hundreds of thousands of lives – like Olivia – have been changed at RVR, by experiencing the hope of Jesus.

Olivia was struggling. Her grandmother shared how she was having a hard time with school and friends and they had noticed she’d been cutting herself.

Through the generosity of others, Olivia received a scholarship to attend RVR. Her grandmother prayed, “When I send her to camp, I want her to really explore who she is, find Jesus, and really love herself!”

Getting away from regular routines, screens, social media, and outside of her comfort zone, God used camp to introduce Olivia to a whole new temporary community, a fresh take on life, and a chance to consider her future. Like many campers, Olivia met Jesus and was filled with the hope of his unconditional love.

Olivia’s story of brokenness was transformed into one of hope, where she found Jesus, friendship, and purpose. “RVR gave her a sense of purpose,” her grandmother shared. “I could barely afford it as I had lost my job, but every penny I spent with the help of your scholarship was well worth it! We can’t thank you enough!”

Just like God used the generous people who provided scholarships to Olivia to bring her to RVR and find hope, we never know how giving our time and resources can influence the lives of those around us.

God can use the generosity of your heart to provide hope to someone like Olivia. Maybe it’s a kind word to a stranger in the grocery store, providing food to a Pantry Project event, or even investing in an RVR camp scholarship for a young person.

You may not change the world, but you can change one person’s world.

Let’s pray God opens our hearts to the ways we can share hope this season.

Want to help give hope to a teen like Olivia through RVR and the Scholarship Program? Here’s how.