An invasion will take place in the small Upstate town of Pelzer this summer. In this case, the invaders should be welcomed with open arms.
Hundreds of young people who spend part of their summer at the Wayfarer Camp on the campus of Anderson University will spend time in Pelzer during the practical ministry portion of their weeklong camp experience.
The Wayfarer camp, the summer youth experience created by Spartanburg-based Wayfarer Ministries, moved to Anderson University last year. Campers engage in a variety of activities, both spiritual and physical in nature, designed to help them discover God in fresh new ways.
This year, the camp has expanded to two weeks and campers will visit the former mill village of Pelzer to assist residents, many of whom are elderly or disabled, by painting, cleaning up blighted areas, and beautifying properties in cooperation with Keep America Beautiful of Anderson County and the city of Pelzer.
“It is our hope that this will help revitalize the community,” said David Reichley, one of the camp’s organizers. “Through the two sessions of Wayfarer Camp, we hope to help clean up more than 50 homes, and as we do leave a tangible sign of the presence and power of God in Pelzer.”
Two camp workdays were held June 8 and 9. Two more workdays are set for June 22 and 23. For more information: www.wayfarer.tv. – AU