I will never forget that summer that changed my life forever. It was the summer of 85 and I was in summer camp. This wasn’t the first for me being there so I knew what to expect and I knew my way around the campsite. That year was the year everything changed for me in a moment. You can say what you want to but when an event unfolds right in front of you and it scares you half to death you know well enough you have to reevaluate your life and understand that God plan things for a reason.My name is Alex here is the story through my point of view that nobody would understand. It all started out that day, the camp counselor decided line all of us up in order from the shortest to the tallest. I was like in the middle of the bunch. Yet I notice this one person Samuel the second tallest but he was kinda prideful and was happy he was the the second tallest.The entire group went on a natural trail walk. We went out and explore the lakes, river, and most of all the forest area of the camp ground. We walk for a few miles up and down those wooded areas. We got to a clearning and it was something I never notice before. Being in that camp we never adventured out as far as the camp counselor took up. There was is nice and beautiful river. Along the river banks and in the clearing was pieces of rocks that looks like gold. One of the counselor told us the story behind fools gold. People might see it as value but its all useless.It was hot that day, some of the camp goers got into the river. It was very calm and very fresh and clear water. We all played and was having fun until an event happen that changed my life forever. I guess since Samuel was so big headed and prideful he thought the could continue to go out walkin further into the river. We was all waking back to the shoreline and at that point we notice Samuel was drowning. He was going up and down in the water. We all ran out to help him. It was about 12 or 14 people holding each others hand to make a sure the current wouldn’t wash us away. I really dont know where I was in line but i remember the person in front stretched out his hand trying to pull Samuel out of the river. Finally it was done we all worked together to prevent Samuel from drowing. Now back on the shoreline I witnessed something I never wanted to see again.Not knowing to anyone that day took a toll out of me. That night I was having dreams of events that took place that day. I was saying to myself, what if Samuel would have drowed that day. I was really scarred that day. It put something on me that I will never forget. I never done this before but because of that situation I had to leave camp and get counseling. On that day I never thought I would ever recover from that event.Few years later I was in a church and the pastor was saying these words. You never know your encounter. What purpose it might serve but one day you will know it all. When God reveals the truth and you will see it was all about. I went home and looking at my parents bible and they had some verses highlighted and it was

Proverbs, 16:18, Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose ROMANS 8:

² Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4

I began to think about that day and I saw things in a different light. What the devil meant for evil God can make things turn out for the good.Then I realize what if it was all meant to be. The blessing came in a form of choas and not in the way people may think. You have to understand the entire picture. God took me out and brought me into a different place. Now I can freely say I have been blessed because of that event.I am now a minister of the gospel of Christ. I don’t know where Samuel is or what he is doing but all I can say is count your blessing and see what God has done.This is based on a true story but yet from an eye of a bystander. We never know how an event can change our lives. It could be a postive or a negative influence. However the outcome just see the blessing from it all. Let God work be done.Givinhope Evangelistic Ministry Team with Evangelist John Corum