This past week I was a counselor for day camp. Let me tell you, I jumped right in. I was told to get back to camp at 1:00 PM on Monday, but I gat back at 7:30 AM with my Dad before He went to work. So, I went outside and asked some staff if they knew where I was going to be that week, and they told me that I was on day camp. To which I said “oh, ok, and when do the kids come?”. To which they responded, “some of them are here already.”. To which I replied, “Okay then, here we go”.
Overall, I’m glad that I was placed in day camp. However, it was a huge challenge to my counseling abilities and mentality. I found myself quickly coming down from my strong spiritual high from IYC and falling into lost focus, because of the large amount of energy that I had to pour in to these kids. For the first couple of days I just felt like we were baby-sitting all day.. I haven’t had a bad cabin yet, but this was about as close as it gets…except there were twenty-four of them. So, Yes, there were some really good kids, but there were also so many who just chose to be defiant simply because they thought it was fun. We would tell them to go do something and they would simply tell us "no." We would tell them again, and again, they would say "no." They would continue to say no until they decided that they wouldn't even bother to respond because it was easier to just ignore us. That is, until we took away five minutes of waterslide time. Then, suddenly, everything was put into perspective for them (until the next issue came up). It took us so much time just to control these kids that time was often lost with the kids who behaved themselves, and our own focus as counselors was lost soon after.
Then, on the third day, we talked about salvation during SMASH. It was explained as a gift that we could choose to receive. I found myself battling with my own focus on the follow-through of what needed to take place. But I was faithful to God's call and let Him do the rest. When we were in our small groups, I expanded on salvation. It was a new concept for some of these kids, and I doubted how much they would take it to heart.. After I was finished explaining, I simply said, "So, if any of you haven’t received that gift before, and you want to, I can help you do that, now or even later." Before I could even finish, one of the girls in my group quietly raised her hand and simply asked, "Can you help me do that?", and another followed. Suddenly, like I was six and someone had taken away my waterslide time, everything was put back in to proportion. My priorities were straight, and my perspective was renewed. Like I have said so many times before, that is why I am here. God in His faithfulness has called me to work in these kids lives, share with them His love and truth. He does the rest, and their lives are changed for eternity. Thank You, Lord.
It didn't matter last week how many times we had to tell these kids, to "stop," "come back," "wait up," "don't do that," “go do that," "don't throw mud," “listen,” “you can’t,” "you have to," "spray your suntan lotion only on yourself," "pick up your trash," or "keep your hands to yourself." All that mattered was that through all of that, we showed them the love and truth of Christ though our words, actions, and even attitudes; while we learned with them, sang with them, played with them, ran with them, and waterslide-ed with them. It all can be done for God's glory; He is faithful in working in their hearts. So, if it takes all of that for fun to be had in His name, spiritual seeds to be planted in kids hearts, and two more girls to accept Christ as their Savior, then that's exactly what I want to be found faithful in doing.
Thanks for the prayer, God is amazing :0)
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Middle School Camp
Camp two weeks ago began as a struggle. I was wiped out. I began to think, what about me? I was feeling drained emotionally, spiritually, physically, and mentally. I was also very home sick for the first time since I started camp. Nonetheless, God is faithful and He taught me once again to be dependent on His strength. I was reminded of the lesson that I leaned before I even began. It’s not me, but God that is at work. I am only a vessel, which He works through. So, if I was fully surrendered to Him, it shouldn’t really matter if I felt insufficient, because He is sufficient. It was His strength that I needed to depend on, and that I did. He surrounded me with fellow counselors who supported me and He lead me to His word for strength. The second day of camp I read Psalm 90 at random, which discusses that Christ is our strength, foundation, and the one who establishes the work of our hand. Amazing.
This seemed to be the theme of the week. I was exceptionally burdened for my campers last week. However, all I could do was earnestly pray for them and trust God to do His work through me and in their hearts. I was reminded that sometimes we need to be satisfied with sowing rather than reaping, if that is what God calls us to do. I had a wide range of spiritual maturity in my cabin. Some of the girls had been Christians as long as they could remember. Then there were others. One was a practicing Catholic who didn’t fully understand salvation. She had a heart to serve God and others, and yet had never truly known Christ, it saddened me that all she did for God was, in essence, for nothing because He was not working through her. Another attended church, appeared to worship with all of her heart, and knew everything about the salvation message, and yet had no interest in accepting Christ herself. This left my asking “why?”. Still another had heard about God all of her life, but did not fully understand how He could be her personal Lord and Savior. All I could do was care for these girls and attempt to show them who Christ really is, and who He could be in their life. God definitely was at work as the Catholic girl began to understand the significance of Christ and the way that He made for us to God as our intercessor. The second is still a mystery to me, but I trust that God is still working in her heart among the seeds that were sown. Finally, the last girl made a commitment to Christ during SMASH and even wants to tell her fiends about Christ and start praying in her very anti-Christian school.
God is good, and, as always, He is faithful. He amazes me. I am so in love with Him. I am astonished by His love. I praise Him for His sacrifice. I thank Him for His grace. Finally, especially in response to this week, I stand in wonder at the strength that He gives us when we are weak. He is amazing.
I spent this past week volunteering at an International Youth Conference in Tennessee. It was incredible to see God at work there and in my own heart. I’ll post details soon! Thanks again for your continued prayer!
This seemed to be the theme of the week. I was exceptionally burdened for my campers last week. However, all I could do was earnestly pray for them and trust God to do His work through me and in their hearts. I was reminded that sometimes we need to be satisfied with sowing rather than reaping, if that is what God calls us to do. I had a wide range of spiritual maturity in my cabin. Some of the girls had been Christians as long as they could remember. Then there were others. One was a practicing Catholic who didn’t fully understand salvation. She had a heart to serve God and others, and yet had never truly known Christ, it saddened me that all she did for God was, in essence, for nothing because He was not working through her. Another attended church, appeared to worship with all of her heart, and knew everything about the salvation message, and yet had no interest in accepting Christ herself. This left my asking “why?”. Still another had heard about God all of her life, but did not fully understand how He could be her personal Lord and Savior. All I could do was care for these girls and attempt to show them who Christ really is, and who He could be in their life. God definitely was at work as the Catholic girl began to understand the significance of Christ and the way that He made for us to God as our intercessor. The second is still a mystery to me, but I trust that God is still working in her heart among the seeds that were sown. Finally, the last girl made a commitment to Christ during SMASH and even wants to tell her fiends about Christ and start praying in her very anti-Christian school.
God is good, and, as always, He is faithful. He amazes me. I am so in love with Him. I am astonished by His love. I praise Him for His sacrifice. I thank Him for His grace. Finally, especially in response to this week, I stand in wonder at the strength that He gives us when we are weak. He is amazing.
I spent this past week volunteering at an International Youth Conference in Tennessee. It was incredible to see God at work there and in my own heart. I’ll post details soon! Thanks again for your continued prayer!
Saturday, July 7, 2007
......
Sooo, sorry it's been a while since I updated...
First of all, thank you to all who have been praying for me and this ministry. It shows. God is doing amazing things. He is changing lives and turning hearts toward Him. He's working in my heart, and I am thankful for the opportunity He has given me to be His light.
Two weeks ago all of the counselor staff took a missions trip to Detroit. It was an awesome experience and God was faithful in doing His work. God taught me a lot and helped my to learn to rely on His strength all the more. We were able to work with a local church that was in need of some general upkeep and some fresh ministry. So, we cleaned the church, and advertised for, and ran a day camp for the kids in the community. We bonded a ton, and even went to a Tigers game on the side. We also had the opportunity to work with local organizations that work with the large Islamic population. We spent time with kids while their mothers learned English. A few of the nights we helped a group that came and toured different parks in the area with a concert, craft time, and carnival ministry. It was awesome to see God at work in this culture.
Last week I was able to work in the Primary camp, ages 6-8. This camp was full of kids ready for one of their first overnight camp experiences. It's so awesome to see them bond with each other, try new things, and understand God and salvation with such fresh understanding. During the first part of the week, my LIT and I had ten campers. Since they’re only there for two nights with one full day in between, it was difficult to connect with all of them, and at times, even remember their names. I caught myself getting discouraged and had to question what my purpose was for the brief time that I had with this set of girls. They were so young, and I began to wonder how much of an impact one day could make in their lives. It wasn't until we played water games during the second night that it truly his me. We competed in a relay that required the girls to hold an empty cup on their head, wait for the person behind them to dump in some water, and then pass it down the line. I watched their smiling faces and listened to their squeals as water dripped down their heir and all over their clothes. They weren't being forced to have fun getting water dumped all over them, they just did. Their counselors told them to do it, all of their friends were doing it, and they competed like their life depended on it. They are at an age when they are so impressionable. Camp gave them the opportunity to hear truth, see God's people having fun, and experience the love of Christ. That's what they will take to heart. My purpose was to authentically live for God in front of them, and along side of them, while sharing His truth. Then they could see what it truly means to follow Him.
My first cabin of girls last week was good and my second was great. My second cabin only had six girls and I got to work with a really sweet LIT named Spaz. Our girls bonded well in the short time we were here. They played hard and came to new understanding in there walk with Christ. God even chose to use me again to lead two of them to accept Him as their Savior for the first time. God is good and He is faithful.
God Has continued to work in my heart last week. He is challenging me to be completely real in every area of my life, so that my heart and thoughts and actions all align. Then I can serve Him without reservation, from the overflow of my heart.
I would greatly appreciate your continued prayers this week. My cabin is once again sweet so far, which is such a blessing. However, the extreme heat at night was really hard on them. Several of them felt really sick and it took them forever to get to the point when they could fall asleep. So pray that they will get some sleep this week so that they can have enough energy to thrive in their packed day. Pray also that God would soften their hearts and give me the words to speak to them. I'm feeling rather drained as well, spiritually, mentally, physically, and emotionally. So, I would appreciate your prayer for me this week more than you know. Pray that I can maintain energy. Pray that I can create unity in my cabin, among the girls in my cabin and between my LIT and I. Finally, Pray that God would give me His peace and His presence and fill me with Himself so that I can serve Him well.
First of all, thank you to all who have been praying for me and this ministry. It shows. God is doing amazing things. He is changing lives and turning hearts toward Him. He's working in my heart, and I am thankful for the opportunity He has given me to be His light.
Two weeks ago all of the counselor staff took a missions trip to Detroit. It was an awesome experience and God was faithful in doing His work. God taught me a lot and helped my to learn to rely on His strength all the more. We were able to work with a local church that was in need of some general upkeep and some fresh ministry. So, we cleaned the church, and advertised for, and ran a day camp for the kids in the community. We bonded a ton, and even went to a Tigers game on the side. We also had the opportunity to work with local organizations that work with the large Islamic population. We spent time with kids while their mothers learned English. A few of the nights we helped a group that came and toured different parks in the area with a concert, craft time, and carnival ministry. It was awesome to see God at work in this culture.
Last week I was able to work in the Primary camp, ages 6-8. This camp was full of kids ready for one of their first overnight camp experiences. It's so awesome to see them bond with each other, try new things, and understand God and salvation with such fresh understanding. During the first part of the week, my LIT and I had ten campers. Since they’re only there for two nights with one full day in between, it was difficult to connect with all of them, and at times, even remember their names. I caught myself getting discouraged and had to question what my purpose was for the brief time that I had with this set of girls. They were so young, and I began to wonder how much of an impact one day could make in their lives. It wasn't until we played water games during the second night that it truly his me. We competed in a relay that required the girls to hold an empty cup on their head, wait for the person behind them to dump in some water, and then pass it down the line. I watched their smiling faces and listened to their squeals as water dripped down their heir and all over their clothes. They weren't being forced to have fun getting water dumped all over them, they just did. Their counselors told them to do it, all of their friends were doing it, and they competed like their life depended on it. They are at an age when they are so impressionable. Camp gave them the opportunity to hear truth, see God's people having fun, and experience the love of Christ. That's what they will take to heart. My purpose was to authentically live for God in front of them, and along side of them, while sharing His truth. Then they could see what it truly means to follow Him.
My first cabin of girls last week was good and my second was great. My second cabin only had six girls and I got to work with a really sweet LIT named Spaz. Our girls bonded well in the short time we were here. They played hard and came to new understanding in there walk with Christ. God even chose to use me again to lead two of them to accept Him as their Savior for the first time. God is good and He is faithful.
God Has continued to work in my heart last week. He is challenging me to be completely real in every area of my life, so that my heart and thoughts and actions all align. Then I can serve Him without reservation, from the overflow of my heart.
I would greatly appreciate your continued prayers this week. My cabin is once again sweet so far, which is such a blessing. However, the extreme heat at night was really hard on them. Several of them felt really sick and it took them forever to get to the point when they could fall asleep. So pray that they will get some sleep this week so that they can have enough energy to thrive in their packed day. Pray also that God would soften their hearts and give me the words to speak to them. I'm feeling rather drained as well, spiritually, mentally, physically, and emotionally. So, I would appreciate your prayer for me this week more than you know. Pray that I can maintain energy. Pray that I can create unity in my cabin, among the girls in my cabin and between my LIT and I. Finally, Pray that God would give me His peace and His presence and fill me with Himself so that I can serve Him well.
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