Alisha Snyder ('09)

The following article was written by Ryan Miller ('91), interim editor for Gospel Evangel, and appeared in the September-October issue of Gospel Evangel.

Since her first week as a camper at Amigo Centre, Alisha Snyder dreamed of working there. For the last four summers, her dream has come true. During her counselor summers, she also experienced God in a way that has offered her direction.

For two years, Alisha counseled Elise Wenger from Berkey Avenue, her home church in Goshen, Ind. Elise has Down Syndrome and their friendship, Alisha believes, was God’s way of offering her a direction.

Today, Alisha is a student at Goshen College training to teach special education. She has worked for the campus childcare center with others with developmental disabilities. Her path is set.

During the first days, Alisha remembers other girls in her cabin eyeing Elise warily. She was different, and the others knew it. Alisha tried to explain concepts of normalcy.

“Look, you are different from me in this way,” Alisha told other campers. “We need to respect differences and we all want to be treated the same way.

“We all see God in different ways and different places,” she continued. “Jesus teaches us to be like him, to help everyone and love everyone, no matter what.”

The truth is, Alisha has been helped and loved by Elise as much as she has helped and loved Elise. Each Sunday, Alisha said, Elise offers an embrace. They share stories of their weeks and their lives. “I (see) God in her every single day,” Alisha said.

Alisha Snyder is a sophomore at Goshen College.