Transformation - Claire's Story

Thank you for this story YL Capernaum Phoenix! What a beautiful picture of meeting your friends where they are, so that the Gospel can take hold and transform!

When I first met Claire, it wasn’t immediately evident to me that she has an intellectual disability. You see, Claire, like so many of our friends, has intellectual challenges that have a huge impact on her day to day life, yet are unseen by the naked eye. People see her and expect a typically functioning young woman in the midst of adolescence. What they don’t realize is processing, understanding and relationships come much more slowly for Claire.

Even with the loving support of a Christian family that was active in the church, Claire struggled to believe that the woman, that God made her to be, was good enough. This led to some risky behaviors in high school aimed at feeling loved, resulting in low self-esteem and a deep longing and pain to be accepted by her peers and the world around her.

Claire began coming to Capernaum club. She tried to attend her high school’s traditional YL, but the size and pace was too much for her to track with. At Capernaum, her peers were eager to see her, they were welcoming, arms open, and excited to know her. She began hearing a Gospel message that was geared for her. She was loved by caring adults who reminded her that she was made ON PURPOSE, beautifully, wonderfully and just the way she is. That she, YES, SHE, was made in the image of the Creator whose eyes and heart beamed with pride the day she was born and every day since.

Claire began to let that TRUTH seep deep into her heart and take root. Claire became a natural leader
and friend to her peers in club. She began to study the Word more on her own, asking questions and thirsting for more. When asked about the possibility of training to become Capernaum peer leader, she didn’t hesitate. 

She stepped into uncomfortable places and even helped give the message at the last club of the semester. In June, Claire helped lead our high school Capernaum friends at camp and tackled her fears to show campers that God gives us strength, doing things she had never done before, like the ropes course. She has taken the bold step to serve on summer staff with a coach helping her. 

Claire, like all of us, continues to struggle and fall down. But because the Holy Spirit is alive and well in her heart, she gets up, asks for help, and most of all seeks the truth of the Savior. To be with Claire now is to see the fruits of simply pointing her to the Cross, and what a joy it is to behold the wonder of His transformative grace. 

 This summer, Claire served on summer staff at Lost Canyon alongside her coach and friend, her dad and mom who were on the assigned team, her brother who serves on property staff and sister in law who serves locally as the area director in town. This transformation in Claire means their whole family gets to minister to kids together!


Comments

  1. So proud of Claire - it's been great to see her grow into a young adult - supported by a loving family who encourages her to be who God intended her to be. Well done Claire!! You are loved! Sharon

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