Dawson to teach at camp in El Salvador

John Dawson, a 2008 graduate of Shelbyville Central High School and current sophomore at Union University, is a service kind of guy.

If you know him, you surely agree.

A couple years ago, John had planned on going on a mission trip to Uganda to work with orphans of victims of AIDS. The outpouring of community support for that mission was an amazing and humbling experience for John and his family, said Deb Dawson, his mom.

"John received money and notes from so many who didn't know him personally but wanted to support God's work through him," she said.

Unfortunately, John was never able to serve on that mission trip. Just weeks before he was to depart, he collapsed with paralysis and was rushed to the hospital.

Again the response of the community amazed and humbled John and his family. There were prayer rallies, get-well cards and gifts and many, many visitors. There were also many encouraging words for John's family.

"All of these were overwhelming and greatly appreciated," Deb said. "After a week in the hospital, doctors finally determined that John had a tick-borne-disease and began treatment with high dose antibiotics. The paralysis began to subside.

"Though better, he was not well enough to complete his required immunizations or travel, so John was not allowed to work in Uganda that summer."

All of the money raised for John's trip still went to the intended mission.

"John is a very gifted young man," Deb said. "God has blessed him and he believes God has called him to a special area of service."

John spent this past summer serving at Pine Cove Camp in Tyler, Texas. His work assignments varied from week to week and ranged from cleanup duties to various camp counselor duties including day camp, inner city camp and resident camp counselor.

"There were many diverse serving opportunities that utilized all of those gifts God blessed John with," Deb said.

As a result of his experience at camp, the leadership of Pine Cove, in conjunction with Christian Camping International, has asked John to participate in a mission trip to El Salvador Jan. 4-14.

John and his team will be teaching the team in El Salvador how to run a camp by modeling it for them.

John will be putting together his support team. This team will be made of prayer partners and financial partners. His prayer team will commit to praying for every aspect of the mission and his financial partners will contribute toward the cost of the mission.

John is required to raise $2,300 before Nov. 5.

"If you want to be a part of John's prayer team please send him a note to let him know," Deb said. "If you are led to help meet his financial needs you may go on line at www.pinecove.com/giving/designated. You can also make checks payable to Pine Cove and write John Dawson on the memo line."