So by the rate that this summer is going I'm going to open my eyes tommorrow and it will all be over. The kids showed up on Sunday and it was such a great experience to meet them for the first time and see the joy they have in their eyes. Sadly we had an entire ministry( about 20 kids) decide not to come but in the next 3 days Collette got in contact with a local pastor who in a 24 hour period had brought out 17 kids from his ministry. It was amazing to watch kids hop off those vans that showed up a day and 2 days late and just have such a big smile that they were able to go to camp. Camper population is at 51 right now, which is what a typical week will look like out here. Hopefully as summer progresses we start packing out the cabins with kids ready to hear and see the gospel.
It has been a privilege to sit back and watch most of these first time counselors interact with these kids. You can see the mommy and daddy instincts come out in all of them. I really can't say enough how blessed I am and will be to be around such a servanthood minded group.
Last night we had a pretty big storm come through camp. Well for me it was big. A ton of wind and lightning was going on around camp and the power went out a few times. Luckily it happened just after lights out so most of the kids were asleep and we didn't have an frightened little ones. But man that wind was blowing hard. At one point I found myself chasing a kiddy pool through the dark Georgia night. Lucas went around camp this morning and sadly out wet willy slide( which literally was in working condition for a day and half) is torn apart and will be needing some repair badly in the close future. A few trees fell here and there but for the most part God kept this camp safe. I cannot thank him enough for that.
Well friends that's about all I have time for but if you have any questions please feel free to ask!
In Him
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Sunday, June 12, 2011
It's almost here!
Hey everybody! So the past 10 days has flown by and I have so many stories to share but only a few will suffice for now. It has been amazing to be a part of people that has grown together so quickly and so strongly. I've heard it said multiple times from others and also feel the same in the fact that even though we have only all known each other for a week or so now that it is like we have all been friends for years. To sit back and watch the brother and sisterhood develop has been awesome. And then to see the respect and love between both groups has been such a great experience. So now to 2 stories that have touched me and have been on my heart as of late.
About 2 days into everyone being here some of us had noticed that our fellow counselor Ronnell "Big
Ron" had been wearing socks literally everywhere. He even wore them in the pool! Well that night someone did some digging and found out that Ron had been pranked in his sleep and his toenails had been painted. He was too embarressed to take off his socks in front of these new people with painted toe nails. So a bunch of the guys(myself included) decided that we should also paint our toenails so Ron wouldn't need be afraid. After we got them done we showed Ron and you could tell he just had a huge weight lifted off his shoulders.
Last Saturday we had the wonderful opportunity of going into Macon(the closest city, from what I have seen it is the same basic size as Eugene) because there was a wedding being held on the camp grounds and we figured that they didn't want a bunch of college aged kids around. So we go into town, get some food, and then the directors decided to give everyone on staff 10 bucks to buy whatever sort of costume we could put together in Goodwill. It was a ton of fun to see everyone's creativity and we got some awesome looks from the locals. Anyways the best part of the day was going to our Waterfront Director's house which is on a lake. She has a dock and a boathouse right out back where we could jump into the water and have some fun. Well I discovered quickly that the water was just deep enough that you could jump off the boathouse in and be completely safe. So I went a few times and then more of the counselors started coming up and doing the same. Then Megan came up. Megan is the youngest on staff out here and I kind of see her as a little sister. She was terrified of the jump and quickly got down. After some convincing I got her to go back up and sit at the edge. After about 15 minutes of chatting and encouragment from everyone else she jumped! It is such a small thing in the scope of things but for her and me it was a huge step and I was so stoked for her.
Also that day at the lake was my first encounter with a snake in Georgia. I was chatting with some people and I look over at the other side of the group and I see one of the girl counselors(Libby) staring at the ground right behind my feet. I turn just in time to see a 3 to 4 foot black snake passing by my foot. Needless to say I got a little freaked out and did the heeby jeeby dance a few times. As I later found out the snake wasn't poisonous and basically wouldn't of done anything anyway, still really freaky.
Well training came to a close on Friday night with the only way I can ever see a camp ending. A Campfire. As I stared into the flames everybody shared their testimonies. This took a very long time, but was so worth it. To sit there and hear countless stories of heartache, anger, abandonment, and then to hear that God has chosen that person to come to camp and serve is amazing. We all have such different stories but in every story there is one thing we share. The Cross. His love poured out onto Calvary for our sin. So blessed.
Training is over, but the war is just beginning. I can't sugar coat it, I don't want to. We are soldiers in this battle, the person to my right and left our on the frontlines with me. We are a mighty force. Our weapon is His love story and our battle cry of prayer echoes across this camp. We bring aid to the tired and weary masses whose bodies cry out for the Living word. Our leader is a wrathful, vengeful God who will fight to the end to win more to His cause so that He may pour out more of his mercy and love upon us.
About 2 days into everyone being here some of us had noticed that our fellow counselor Ronnell "Big
Ron" had been wearing socks literally everywhere. He even wore them in the pool! Well that night someone did some digging and found out that Ron had been pranked in his sleep and his toenails had been painted. He was too embarressed to take off his socks in front of these new people with painted toe nails. So a bunch of the guys(myself included) decided that we should also paint our toenails so Ron wouldn't need be afraid. After we got them done we showed Ron and you could tell he just had a huge weight lifted off his shoulders.
Last Saturday we had the wonderful opportunity of going into Macon(the closest city, from what I have seen it is the same basic size as Eugene) because there was a wedding being held on the camp grounds and we figured that they didn't want a bunch of college aged kids around. So we go into town, get some food, and then the directors decided to give everyone on staff 10 bucks to buy whatever sort of costume we could put together in Goodwill. It was a ton of fun to see everyone's creativity and we got some awesome looks from the locals. Anyways the best part of the day was going to our Waterfront Director's house which is on a lake. She has a dock and a boathouse right out back where we could jump into the water and have some fun. Well I discovered quickly that the water was just deep enough that you could jump off the boathouse in and be completely safe. So I went a few times and then more of the counselors started coming up and doing the same. Then Megan came up. Megan is the youngest on staff out here and I kind of see her as a little sister. She was terrified of the jump and quickly got down. After some convincing I got her to go back up and sit at the edge. After about 15 minutes of chatting and encouragment from everyone else she jumped! It is such a small thing in the scope of things but for her and me it was a huge step and I was so stoked for her.
Also that day at the lake was my first encounter with a snake in Georgia. I was chatting with some people and I look over at the other side of the group and I see one of the girl counselors(Libby) staring at the ground right behind my feet. I turn just in time to see a 3 to 4 foot black snake passing by my foot. Needless to say I got a little freaked out and did the heeby jeeby dance a few times. As I later found out the snake wasn't poisonous and basically wouldn't of done anything anyway, still really freaky.
Well training came to a close on Friday night with the only way I can ever see a camp ending. A Campfire. As I stared into the flames everybody shared their testimonies. This took a very long time, but was so worth it. To sit there and hear countless stories of heartache, anger, abandonment, and then to hear that God has chosen that person to come to camp and serve is amazing. We all have such different stories but in every story there is one thing we share. The Cross. His love poured out onto Calvary for our sin. So blessed.
Training is over, but the war is just beginning. I can't sugar coat it, I don't want to. We are soldiers in this battle, the person to my right and left our on the frontlines with me. We are a mighty force. Our weapon is His love story and our battle cry of prayer echoes across this camp. We bring aid to the tired and weary masses whose bodies cry out for the Living word. Our leader is a wrathful, vengeful God who will fight to the end to win more to His cause so that He may pour out more of his mercy and love upon us.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Cornucopia
Hello everyone! So basically the past few days has flown by. Every single member of staff is here now. Over the past few days a few of our counselors have gone through and been certified for lifeguarding for the summer. Every person that took the test passed which is truly a blessing. There is a wedding on the grounds on Saturday, which was planned last minute and has somewhat thrown a wrench into the cog of training. But we are being gracious hosts and the people seem really nice. After this wedding is over and moved off the grounds it is all camp all the time which I am so excited about.
What's crazy about this staff is I'm pretty sure that no one came here knowing more than 2 people. These people have come out here with their faith in God alone and we are all depending on him in these few days to bring us together as a family in Christ for these kids. We are seeming to mesh really well and it is awesome to just sit back and watch all these strangers come together so quickly. I would just ask for prayer for the first drama that happens among us(it's not a matter of if, it's when sadly) that we would be be able to handle it according to scripture and come to one another in love.
A verse that has been on my heart as of late and just something I have been questioning about myself is 1 Corinthians 13:3.
If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned,[a] but have not love, I gain nothing.
As Christians we are called to love all. The message of the Gospel all boils down to love. It never fails. As the summer progress's these counselors and myself will be attacked and get frustrated. I'd just pray that in these times they remember why they are here. To love on these kids in every way possible. In daily life being with these kids that we can love on them through having fun with them, sharing in heartaches, even down to disciplining them. Some of these kids are verbally and physically abused on a daily basis for no reason at all. We want to discipline these kids, but give them a reason and do it in love.
You guys are awesome I love you and letters and packages are always welcomed with open arms! Here is the address. 2559 Walkers Chapel Rd. Roberta,GA 31078
What's crazy about this staff is I'm pretty sure that no one came here knowing more than 2 people. These people have come out here with their faith in God alone and we are all depending on him in these few days to bring us together as a family in Christ for these kids. We are seeming to mesh really well and it is awesome to just sit back and watch all these strangers come together so quickly. I would just ask for prayer for the first drama that happens among us(it's not a matter of if, it's when sadly) that we would be be able to handle it according to scripture and come to one another in love.
A verse that has been on my heart as of late and just something I have been questioning about myself is 1 Corinthians 13:3.
If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned,[a] but have not love, I gain nothing.
As Christians we are called to love all. The message of the Gospel all boils down to love. It never fails. As the summer progress's these counselors and myself will be attacked and get frustrated. I'd just pray that in these times they remember why they are here. To love on these kids in every way possible. In daily life being with these kids that we can love on them through having fun with them, sharing in heartaches, even down to disciplining them. Some of these kids are verbally and physically abused on a daily basis for no reason at all. We want to discipline these kids, but give them a reason and do it in love.
You guys are awesome I love you and letters and packages are always welcomed with open arms! Here is the address. 2559 Walkers Chapel Rd. Roberta,GA 31078
Monday, May 30, 2011
Everyone is here
Hey guys thought I would give a quick update on everything going on out here. The past week has literally flown by and there have been so many moments to mention. My roommate for the summer has shown up. His name is Darrin and he is originally from Pennsylvannia but attended school at Troy University in Alabama. He has a BA in Poly Sci and is just an all around awesome guy. In the few days we have been able to hang out I have witnessed him barehandedly clean out a trash can for one reason or another. When we go into town he always has a smile and hello for everyone walking by. I cannot wait for some of his traits to wear off on me. I also have met my "partner in crime" for the summer, her name is Lauren and she is pretty dang awesome. She is the head lifeguard for the summer and will also be helping me with games. Man there is so much I want to talk about that God has been blessing me with lately.
So Darrin has a Jeep that we have been taking full advantage of. From trips into town to throwing off the top and riding on some back roads. My favorite use of it though has been to go to a close by hill on camp and watch the sunset.
There it is in all it's beautiful glory. It's so crazy how God has taken my life and moved it over 2000 miles and helped me flourish. I am in love with God and what he is doing.......
So Darrin has a Jeep that we have been taking full advantage of. From trips into town to throwing off the top and riding on some back roads. My favorite use of it though has been to go to a close by hill on camp and watch the sunset.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Travel and My First Day!
Hey everyone I had some time to sit down so I thought I'd update you on what has happened in the past two days. So many little tiny obstacles came into my path, but the Lord saw me through it and now I can just laugh at them :)
Travel: So here I am sitting in my plane waiting to take off from PDX when the pilot gets on the intercom. "Ladies and Gentlemen it seems that the plane in front of us has had some engine trouble, do not panic if you see firetrucks driving past your window." The plane in front of us was on fire! The last thing I want to hear right before I take off on not only the longest plane trip of my life, but the only one I have ever taken alone is that this contraption I'm in could burst into flame at any second. So we sit there for about 10 minutes as they put out the fire(everyone was safe) and finally hit the runway for takeoff. This is when I started talking to the lady next to me and figure out what her plans were once we landed in North Carolina. She was going to the Indy 500, pretty flippin sweet if you ask me. Anyways I tried to share the gospel a little but this lady was all about the nap on our flight so I left her to hers and I put my earbuds in dozed off as well. At about 1am our time I wake up and look out my window only to see this massive thunderstorm happening about 50 miles away. I thought in Oregon they were bad, but from what I could tell wherever it was, was getting pelted with a bolt about every half second. Crazy! Just goes to show the power of God in our world. The rest of the pane ride to North Carolina and Atlanta were pretty uneventful. Then I got into Carrie's car and a whole different adventure began.
So the Camp is about an hour and a half away from Atlanta and we are about an hour into this trip just chatting up and storm and talking about what God has been doing in our lives. All of sudden the car kind of starts to shudder and lose speed. Immediately I go into think of where a gas station is mode. I get about 5 seconds into my thought process and realize I am about 2000 miles away from the closest gas station I could think of. So that goes out the window. We come to a slow stop on the shoulder and as luck would have we ran out of gas right next to a weigh station for semi trucks. So we jaunt over there and tell our awesome story to the nice gentlemen working the booth. They laugh and of course like the middle aged chaps they are they crack a few jokes. "You know E stands for empty not enough right?" After a few chuckles and the story of how this is my first time in Georgia, one of the guys goes to check the gas can to see if they have any extra to get us to the closest station which is literally the next exit as we found out. Of course God is a jokester and there is no gas in the can, but they are nice enough to offer us a ride the nearest station to get some. Well there is Carrie and I and the police officer, and only two seats in the front of the patrol car. Being the gentlemen I am I offer Carrie the front seat and happily hop in the back of the cop car......for the first time.....ever. Carrie took a few pictures and some video and the rest of that story is bland haha. We get to Camp without anymore trouble after that.
Guys this camp is so much more than I could of asked for. Like seriously holy smokes I am going to be so blessed to work here this summer. They have over 200 acres of land to spread out onto and are working on getting another 200. There is so much stuff here but it is all relatively close. There is the activity lake where there is the blob, a zipline into the water, and they just started working on a slide that is about 30 feet tall and will shoot you out into the middle of the lake. Then there is the sports pavilion which is going to house 2 full basketball courts but at the moment is still being worked on. On the far side of the pavilion is a 20 foot rockwall and a 40 foot rock wall that they have just started building. Then theres the pool and the older outdoor basketball court with adjustable height rims, can you say dunkfest? After that there is the high ropes course and archery range along with a canoeing pond which you can fish in as well.
O I haven't even told you the best part for me. When I came here I wasn't sure exactly what my living quarters would be. I was expecting maybe one of the empty cabins, maybe a trailer I would share with a few other guys. Get this, I have a huge 2 bedroom apartment that I'm going to be sharing with the Men's dean(head counselor) . It is fully furnished and even has cable tv. I was floored when I saw it. I get a queen bed! I haven't slept in a queen since I was like.....10. Such a huge blessing. I can already tell this summer is going to see some crazy growth for me. I am so excited for everything He is doing in my life.......
Travel: So here I am sitting in my plane waiting to take off from PDX when the pilot gets on the intercom. "Ladies and Gentlemen it seems that the plane in front of us has had some engine trouble, do not panic if you see firetrucks driving past your window." The plane in front of us was on fire! The last thing I want to hear right before I take off on not only the longest plane trip of my life, but the only one I have ever taken alone is that this contraption I'm in could burst into flame at any second. So we sit there for about 10 minutes as they put out the fire(everyone was safe) and finally hit the runway for takeoff. This is when I started talking to the lady next to me and figure out what her plans were once we landed in North Carolina. She was going to the Indy 500, pretty flippin sweet if you ask me. Anyways I tried to share the gospel a little but this lady was all about the nap on our flight so I left her to hers and I put my earbuds in dozed off as well. At about 1am our time I wake up and look out my window only to see this massive thunderstorm happening about 50 miles away. I thought in Oregon they were bad, but from what I could tell wherever it was, was getting pelted with a bolt about every half second. Crazy! Just goes to show the power of God in our world. The rest of the pane ride to North Carolina and Atlanta were pretty uneventful. Then I got into Carrie's car and a whole different adventure began.
So the Camp is about an hour and a half away from Atlanta and we are about an hour into this trip just chatting up and storm and talking about what God has been doing in our lives. All of sudden the car kind of starts to shudder and lose speed. Immediately I go into think of where a gas station is mode. I get about 5 seconds into my thought process and realize I am about 2000 miles away from the closest gas station I could think of. So that goes out the window. We come to a slow stop on the shoulder and as luck would have we ran out of gas right next to a weigh station for semi trucks. So we jaunt over there and tell our awesome story to the nice gentlemen working the booth. They laugh and of course like the middle aged chaps they are they crack a few jokes. "You know E stands for empty not enough right?" After a few chuckles and the story of how this is my first time in Georgia, one of the guys goes to check the gas can to see if they have any extra to get us to the closest station which is literally the next exit as we found out. Of course God is a jokester and there is no gas in the can, but they are nice enough to offer us a ride the nearest station to get some. Well there is Carrie and I and the police officer, and only two seats in the front of the patrol car. Being the gentlemen I am I offer Carrie the front seat and happily hop in the back of the cop car......for the first time.....ever. Carrie took a few pictures and some video and the rest of that story is bland haha. We get to Camp without anymore trouble after that.
Guys this camp is so much more than I could of asked for. Like seriously holy smokes I am going to be so blessed to work here this summer. They have over 200 acres of land to spread out onto and are working on getting another 200. There is so much stuff here but it is all relatively close. There is the activity lake where there is the blob, a zipline into the water, and they just started working on a slide that is about 30 feet tall and will shoot you out into the middle of the lake. Then there is the sports pavilion which is going to house 2 full basketball courts but at the moment is still being worked on. On the far side of the pavilion is a 20 foot rockwall and a 40 foot rock wall that they have just started building. Then theres the pool and the older outdoor basketball court with adjustable height rims, can you say dunkfest? After that there is the high ropes course and archery range along with a canoeing pond which you can fish in as well.
O I haven't even told you the best part for me. When I came here I wasn't sure exactly what my living quarters would be. I was expecting maybe one of the empty cabins, maybe a trailer I would share with a few other guys. Get this, I have a huge 2 bedroom apartment that I'm going to be sharing with the Men's dean(head counselor) . It is fully furnished and even has cable tv. I was floored when I saw it. I get a queen bed! I haven't slept in a queen since I was like.....10. Such a huge blessing. I can already tell this summer is going to see some crazy growth for me. I am so excited for everything He is doing in my life.......
Friday, May 13, 2011
Twinge
So today was the first day of what I'm sure will be many more sad moments where the reality that I was leaving hit me. Funny enough it wasn't with a person, it was my dogs. I was doing my usual morning thing getting ready for the day and I usually always take a minute or two to sit down with my two dogs Lucy and Moose. As everyone says my dogs are the weirdest dogs you will ever meet. One can wag her tail without shaking her whole body and Moose......he's just moose. As I sat there giving them their due attention it hit me that I have never gone more than about 3 weeks without seeing them. We've had Lucy since my sophomore year and up until I had to be out of the house at night, she was my dog. And Moose We've had literally since he was born. And it got me to thinking.
My entire life I have always been on the staying home side of my mothers tearful sobs of farewell. Now if any of my family ever reads this you know exactly what I'm talking about. Up until about five minutes before a visiting family leaves my mom is holds herself together perfectly fine. But in the last five minutes she turns into this mass of tears. I have always just sort of sat back and watched her while laughing a little to myself. She is just so overcome with these emotions all of a sudden and I can't help but think "Mom, were going to see them soon enough." But we have always been partners in that way. She cries, I wave......that's how it goes. I think a lot of the reason I don't get so worked up is my mom just always does it for me.
This goodbye though......this goodbye is going to be different. This is the first time in my life I am going to have to look into those tearful eyes and realize I am not going to be walking back into the house with her. I'm going to be the one getting in the car and getting on a flight. Man........
In a more light note(haha) the past few weeks have literally been insane with God preparing me in huge ways that I couldn't deny myself from talking about it. There has been so many things where I sat up at night asking myself if I was really prepared for this and then He decided to throw me into a situation where I had no other way of accepting the fact that He was making me ready.
On Wednesday I sat down for a normal service at Ekklesia and what I got was more than I could of ever asked for. Westley did yet another one his awesome sermons and then after he did something that I think I've only seen him do one other time( I haven't gone there long so you lifers can correct me). He called up all of the prayers leaders in the church that were at the service and called forward any unbelievers, people that needed to repent, and people that just needed prayer. I have gone to churches in my time where this same event had happened and the response was minimal at best. As I sat there in the second row on Wednesday I was on the brink of tears as I watched person after person walk up to the front and bow their head in prayer with a brother or sister in Christ. There was a horde of people in the front of the gym. I could literally feel the power of prayer moving through everyone. And in between fits of holding back tears and singing as loud as my lungs would allow I would look to my left and see everyone standing up and crying out their praises. It was just such a powerful moment and instilled in me that this is why I have faith.
So as I hold back tears as I type this. Tears of sorrow and of hope I yet again want to thank everyone who has brought me up to this point in my life. The constant encouragement, the gentle rebukes, the times where I just sat there and cried (God knows there's been a lot of those) and you hugged me. I have fallen so short of the glory but with God's help you have always been that cushion, that hand, that made sure I never hit the cold pavement. For a prayer request I would just ask that you would keep doing what your doing. It has not failed you yet. As I restate it in words that B.O.B. has so awesomely put it.
My entire life I have always been on the staying home side of my mothers tearful sobs of farewell. Now if any of my family ever reads this you know exactly what I'm talking about. Up until about five minutes before a visiting family leaves my mom is holds herself together perfectly fine. But in the last five minutes she turns into this mass of tears. I have always just sort of sat back and watched her while laughing a little to myself. She is just so overcome with these emotions all of a sudden and I can't help but think "Mom, were going to see them soon enough." But we have always been partners in that way. She cries, I wave......that's how it goes. I think a lot of the reason I don't get so worked up is my mom just always does it for me.
This goodbye though......this goodbye is going to be different. This is the first time in my life I am going to have to look into those tearful eyes and realize I am not going to be walking back into the house with her. I'm going to be the one getting in the car and getting on a flight. Man........
In a more light note(haha) the past few weeks have literally been insane with God preparing me in huge ways that I couldn't deny myself from talking about it. There has been so many things where I sat up at night asking myself if I was really prepared for this and then He decided to throw me into a situation where I had no other way of accepting the fact that He was making me ready.
On Wednesday I sat down for a normal service at Ekklesia and what I got was more than I could of ever asked for. Westley did yet another one his awesome sermons and then after he did something that I think I've only seen him do one other time( I haven't gone there long so you lifers can correct me). He called up all of the prayers leaders in the church that were at the service and called forward any unbelievers, people that needed to repent, and people that just needed prayer. I have gone to churches in my time where this same event had happened and the response was minimal at best. As I sat there in the second row on Wednesday I was on the brink of tears as I watched person after person walk up to the front and bow their head in prayer with a brother or sister in Christ. There was a horde of people in the front of the gym. I could literally feel the power of prayer moving through everyone. And in between fits of holding back tears and singing as loud as my lungs would allow I would look to my left and see everyone standing up and crying out their praises. It was just such a powerful moment and instilled in me that this is why I have faith.
So as I hold back tears as I type this. Tears of sorrow and of hope I yet again want to thank everyone who has brought me up to this point in my life. The constant encouragement, the gentle rebukes, the times where I just sat there and cried (God knows there's been a lot of those) and you hugged me. I have fallen so short of the glory but with God's help you have always been that cushion, that hand, that made sure I never hit the cold pavement. For a prayer request I would just ask that you would keep doing what your doing. It has not failed you yet. As I restate it in words that B.O.B. has so awesomely put it.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
When did this crawl turn into a dead on sprint?
Seriously..... 14 days, a mere two weeks until I set off on my little adventure. It seems like this morning I was booking my flight and trying to figure out if this could actually happen. Man......this is nuts....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)