Pine Seeds Through the Fire

Jessika Nienhuis, Camp Counselor, Torrance, California 

When I welcomed 14-year-old Sara to T.R.A.C, she quickly told me, “I don’t like people; no offense!” 

“That’s fine,” I replied. “I like people enough for the both us.”  

She looked at me with shock and a little grin.  

When her bag didn’t get delivered to our cabin, she freaked out. “I don’t trust you people. I want my bag now.”  

The staff found Sara’s bag, and I reminded her that she was in good hands and that I hoped she would eventually trust us.  

Sara’s eyes got watery at CrossTalk. During Gutsy Conversations, she stated that she never knew she related to the Bible, Joseph’s story to be exact. How he was sold into slavery and betrayed by his family. We talked more about God and why evil exists: how God cares about her, how he sees her and loves her.  

At one point, Sara said, “God must be real because I don’t like or trust people, and I like you and everyone here at camp. I actually feel like you guys care.” 

Later, I bumped into our photographer Grant, and we talked about how God was moving in Sara’s heart. Noticing Grant’s tattoo, I asked him the meaning. He shared how the specific pine trees in his tattoo have the smallest pinecone seeds. Under intense forest fires, they release their seeds and grow into the largest trees with the deepest roots.  

When I told him he needed to tell Sara that story, Grant surprised me. “I actually found one of the seeds earlier today if you’d like to give it her.” 

Sara was overjoyed and teary-eyed when Grant told her about the pine trees. As she left camp, Sara said she loved everyone and felt so safe.  

“I know God loves me and that He has a plan for my life.”  

NOTE: Jessika is so passionate about T.R.A.C. that she traveled back to Torrance every summer for four years to serve at camp after her family’s move to Fort Worth, Texas. In April, Jessika and her husband, Roger, recruited two other leaders to join them at T.R.A.C. National Leadership Training in Florida. We’re so excited to welcome another Teen Reach chapter to the state of Texas!