Guest commentary by Cliff Stewart
Next year will mark a century of ministry at the Presbyterian Buffalo Gap Encampment in Texas! The camp is primarily a place for summer camps — including three fun weeks of camp for the children and youth of Palo Duro Presbytery.
Buffalo Gap is a little community just 20 miles outside of Abilene. The camp is owned by 13 cooperating Presbyterian churches. Key to the success of the camp is the generous support of Palo Duro Presbytery.
James and Linda Myers are the camp managers. They both have big hearts — which were evidenced on Valentine’s Day, February 14. They went to bed that night unaware of the catastrophic crisis many Texans across the entire state would be facing during the night and in the following week. When James and Linda woke up on Monday morning, they discovered they had no electricity. Soon, there would also be no water as an unprecedented, historic “winter invasion” descended on Texas. Record zero temperatures, snow and ice resulted in an almost total collapse of the electric power grid across the state.
It was oh-so-cold outside, but it will warm your heart to know that the camp quickly became a shelter for about 20 people who needed a safe place to stay.
The new tenants were warmed by gas heaters in the cabins and then fed in the dining hall. The cost was zero!
Even though Buffalo Gap is a small community, the Myers did not know any of the people who sought a shelter at the church camp.
When all was said and done, James said, “We made some new friends in the midst of it all.” And you can be sure that the people who were given safe haven felt the same about James and Linda.
Rustic bunk beds in the cabins were adequate. And how about this? Only one bathroom in the entire camp was working due to frozen pipes, and that bathroom was adjacent to the dining hall. And then that toilet could only be flushed with some water that Linda quickly captured before their water source stopped working. Melted snow would help with flushing. Any idea how much snow is needed for one flush? Answer: Plenty!
The Myers made a quick run to the grocery store for food and bottled water. The new guests were treated all week to pancakes, bacon, eggs and a number of other dishes Linda put together. Linda remarked, “It is amazing what you find in the back of the freezer when you look.”
Meanwhile, as James and Linda were helping these new temporary residents, they themselves were unable to sleep in their own house due to no electricity, no heat and no water. But not a complaint was uttered on their lips as they concentrated on helping others. James and Linda ended up living in the kitchen and dining hall.
However, one teenager did complain a bit about the free room and board — when she realized there was no place to charge up her cell phone!
On Tuesday at midnight, James and Linda were startled, hearing a knock on their door. When they opened it, there was a police officer! He asked if a person from the nearby community could have a place to stay overnight. This individual lived not too far away and was literally freezing. In desperation he went to his truck to warm himself but the truck ran out of gas. Then he called 911. Of course, James and Linda found this frigid young man a place at the camp.
Like many church camps across the country, 2020 was not an easy year. COVID-19 shut down the entire in-person camping program. Innovative leaders in the presbytery invented an online camping experience and continue to pray that this summer face-to-face camping can be restored.
But in the meantime, we celebrate two servants of God who disregard their own hardships to serve others in need.
“ I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” (Matthew 25:35)
CLIFF STEWART is pastor of First Central Presbyterian Church in Abilene, Texas.
