Hear No Evil, Mary Hamilton Available on Amazon
Interview with Zeke:
You have quite a talent for drawing. Have you always illustrated your
sermons?
I’ve always enjoyed sketching and
drawing. But I didn’t start illustrating my sermons until I became director
here at Rustic Knolls. Keeping kids’ attention during my evening talks wasn’t
easy. I thought back to when my daughters were little. We’d talk about Bible
stories and they loved it when I drew the lions that Daniel spent the night
with, or the ark with the animals. I figured if it worked for them, maybe it would
work for teenage campers.
What led you to accept the job of director of Rustic Knolls Bible Camp?
I pastored a church for many
years and saw how difficult it was to keep kids involved in the church. There
are so many things pulling them away, things that didn’t exist when I was
growing up. I grew interested in camps as a way to get them away from all their
electronics and artificial entertainment for a few days so they can really
focus on who they are and who God is and how those two ideas can fit together.
Being director of Rustic Knolls Bible Camp has been a dream come true.
What do you see is the greatest need for kids today?
Stability. Security. So many
families are crumbling and splintering and the kids don’t have a sense of
belonging to a definite family group because that group keeps changing. If kids
lose that sense of identity that tells them who they are and where they came
from, they’ll go looking for it in the wrong places. Kids need parents who are
committed to each other first, and then are committed to the kids.
How does Rustic Knolls try to meet those needs?
Kids come to camp with a lot of
baggage, and I’m not talking about their suitcases. All the problems they’re
dealing with at home come to camp with them, influencing how they interact with
others, how they see themselves, how they respond to God. We try to learn what
they’re struggling with and show them a different perspective, a godly
perspective, so they can develop better ways of managing those struggles when
they go back home.
With all the other things available to kids these days, from sports
programs to arts and science, what do you think Bible camps offer that’s unique
for kids?
Personally, I need a vacation
every so often to get away from the rush and the demands of daily life. When I
don’t have to deal with my own responsibilities each day, I usually get a
clearer picture of where I want to go, what I want to accomplish. Sometimes
those goals and desires get lost in the urgency of the daily grind. Kids need
the same thing. They need a break from the daily stresses and problems of
growing up. Bible camp offers a chance to see the big picture and reset their
dreams, their goals. At Bible camp, they learn God values them for who they
are, not what they can do or how they look. Even though it’s hard from them to
disconnect for a week, it’s good for them to get away from the noise and listen
for God’s still small voice.
Bio:
Mary L. Hamilton grew up at a
camp much like the setting for her Rustic Knolls Bible Camp series. She started
out writing articles for magazines, and a Christmas play, Homespun Angel. Her
faith is a strong influence in her life and writing. When she’s not writing,
Mary loves the outdoors and nature, as well as opening her home to youth Bible
studies, pancake suppers and breakfast with her special recipe waffles. She and
her husband live near Houston, TX, within range of her three grown children.
How to connect with Mary
Website: www.maryhamiltonbooks.com
Twitter: @mhamilton122
