Compassion Hits Home

We had a great opportunity at staff camp to get to know James, a young man from Kenya who is here in the States for the summer working with Student Life. He was a Compassion sponsored child for 16 years. When he returns, he will pursue a life in accounting. Most of all, James now has the opportunity to spread the love of Christ that he first received through that wonderful ministry. Here is our group with James.



It was a pleasure getting to know him. Also, below is a picture of our group with the whole Student Life staff. Several of our students have expressed interest in working with them one summer once they are in college. I couldn't be more proud. They have a wonderful camp ministry.

Staff Camp 2009- Rec Game Leaders!

I thought I would take an opportunity to show the recreation portion of our jobs. Here's a glimpse of everyone leading their game. I was leading a game, too, so it was difficult to get pictures.





















Last night we had a good time to just get together and delve deeper into our spiritual motivations of being here. Whether or not we were gospel-centered or us-centered.
Tonight, we will have a time to play some games and enjoy each others company. I'll try to put some more pictures of various things later, including some of the staff versus adult leaders dodge ball game. We return tomorrow!

Sleep was needed so mid-day blog comming!

Staff Camp 2009- Day 2

Here's one of the main problems with blogging at this camp- everyone is too busy to take pictures!
On Sunday the kids arrived, so the early part of the day was preparing for registration. We started off with meeting with the Student Life staff and having prayer time with them. Then everyone got to help prepare for the family group time. After brunch, a sack lunch at 10:30, everyone split up for their registration duties. Sorry, Chad, no local church.

Registration:
Greeters- Maddy and Kelsey
Parking- Collin and Marquin
Office Runner- Rod
T-Shirt check in- Ryan, Lindsay, Caylee and Doug
I helped check in children's ministers.

We also got to perform our worship service tasks twice!
Production team- Kelsey, Caylee and Maddy
Cameras- Rod, Lindsay and Marquin
Products- Collin, Doug, Ryan and Me

So, that was about it. Lots of work. Recreation starts today! I'll have everyone describe their games later.

Oh no, it's raining!

Staff Camp 2009- Day 1

Well, we arrived on time this morning ready to go! We helped with load-in, which we had never done before. It made for a long day. But the hardest work is out of the way! The kids come tomorrow so it makes it tons more fun. Here are some load-in pictures.


The Stage


T-shirt boxes. We moved a lot of them.
And we moved them a lot.


Maddy and Ryan organized.


Marquin is a great worker. But here he's texting.


Look at those girls go!


This is Doug's normal posture at camp. We have to work on that.


Eagerly waiting to work...


Setting up merchandise...


Those Delks! Lindsay threw something at me for taking a picture. I braved it out and got the action on film!


Our Compassion hut that we built with James, a former Compassion child who was sponsored for 16 years in Kenya who is here to work for the summer with Student Life to share about Compassion!


We had to fasten all the chairs in the building together with plastic zip ties.

After our fun filled day, we got our stuff in the room and took off for dinner, Wal-Mart and a fireworks show!


Dinner at Chili's.


Fireworks in Denison. We weren't sure we were going to some place legit. Brother Scott's sister Tammy led us in the right direction though. Once it started, I tried to get some pictures with the "fireworks" feature on the camera. This is the best one.



Love everyone and hope you have a good night! Pray that we are truly ambassadors of the gospel this week!

Until tomorrow...

We finished with load in finally! About to head to dinner, walmart and hopefully find some fireworks

Staff camp 2009- we're here and working!!!

Finally, We Got our Picture!

Camp Wrap-Up

I thought I would finish getting some pictures off the camera. Glad to hear people are enjoying the blog. Expect that any major trip or event that we have you'll be able to keep track here.
These last few pictures are from Friday night's mega relay. Caylee did a great job running around like crazy trying to take pictures. Everyone was crammed into the gym thanks to storming.


Kristen going through a hoop.








Maddy is ready.


Taylor is down there in the tunnel.
















Jennifer's finger was a casualty

Final night of camp

The challenge is simple:
Inspiration changed to discipline.

The students must take the things God has been teaching them and leading them in and make it a reality.

Our prayer time tonight was for those who weren't here and making a good transition back to relationship with them. Parents. Siblings. Friends.

There are a few items from tonight that impacted us. May they bless you. We'll see you tomorrow!!!!!

2 Timothy 1:8-14

Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me. Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.


There is Nothing Like

Father true and merciful
Bound to me with love
Adopted in
Free from all sin

Jesus Saviour glorified
Your offering none could give
I stand before You
Humbled and in awe

And all to You God
For all You are to me
And all to You God
For all You are to me

There is nothing like
There is nothing like
Your love
Your love

Holy Spirit
Gift of God
Teach my soul to soar
Train me in Your holy ways Lord

And all to You God
For all You are to me

There is nothing like
There is nothing like
Your love
Your love

I'll love You forever
I'll love You forever
I'll love You forever Lord

Bible study: exodus 16
Themes for days:
Tue- faith to let go
Wed- faith to take a stand
Thur- faith to go into the unknown
Today- faith to wait

God is Amazing!

There have been a few truly monumental moments in my ministry life. I have to say that this week is right up there at the top. I don't have any pictures to share tonight, but I do want to take a moment to share how God is working in the group. I can't wait for this to be taken to the homes. To school. Back to church.

I wish there was the opportunity for you to be able to listen in on all that is shared in the groups. I can't truly say this enough, there will be students returning who you may not even recognize any more! I think this is going to be a great propulsion to a Christ-centered, self-less ministry.

The most important question you can ask if you're reading this is, "How can I be a part?" What is it that you can do to encourage these students? To hold them accountable? To allow yourself to be spiritually challenged by them? All of this has happened this week. It's such a blessing.

During our church group time tonight, we took time to write encouraging things for each other. Compliments and spiritual challenges. I hope that this will be an inspiration to your students.

Lastly, I would challenge you to bring these spiritual moments into your home. Open up the Word of God with your students and seek the truth together.

Thanks for your prayers. God is using them!

By the way, EVERY student shared tonight, except one. That was a big step for some of them. Yay for Caylee, Lindsay, Taylor, Collin, Clayton, Kristen and Joe! And Tracy, Kendyl promised she'd go tomorrow night :)

Track Times

During each afternoon after lunch, the students get to pick 2 track times. There are a lot of variety of them. Some are very activity oriented, like dodgeball, handball, basketball, softball, water games, etc. Some are more of a hobby like jewelry making (which Chad took), airplane making, guitar, percussions, etc. And then there are spiritual-type classes like apologetics, knowing God's will and worship leading.

Here is another example:

Maddy being dramatic.

So, that's track time. We'll update you more tonight with what's going on with the group.
And I'll leave you with this great picture:

Bible study today:
Exodus 14- the red sea deliverance

Day 3 Wrap-Up

Tonight I thought I would share some pictures from our late night festivities. We decided before we left to be matching. So, here is some of the craziness of the guys and girls participating in some fun! But first, allow me to share a little about our group time.

The kids are doing so wonderful in processing what is being taught and how God wants to use those things in their lives to live for him. Basically, I think we are making great strides toward not thinking about ministry and being part of a youth group in selfish terms, but self-less. That has been our motto. Allow me to share some song lyrics with you:

Hosanna

I see the King of Glory
Coming on the clouds with fire
The whole earth shakes
The whole earth shakes

I see His Love and Mercy
Washing over all our sin
The people sing
The people sing

Hosanna hosanna
Hosanna in the highest
Hosanna hosanna
Hosanna in the highest

I see a generation
Rising up to take their place
With selfless faith
With selfless faith

I see a near revival
Stirring as we pray and seek
We're on our knees
We're on our knees

Hosanna hosanna
Hosanna in the highest
Hosanna hosanna
Hosanna in the highest

Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like You have loved me
Break my heart for what breaks Yours
Everything I am for Your Kingdom's cause
As I walk from earth into eternity

Please continue to pray for the group. I had 2 wonderful conversations tonight with students that God is seriously dealing with, plus the great things that were shared in church group time.

Now, on to the silliness.


Elvis Chad, of course.


Wake Village Student Ministry!


Joe always seems to get caught with weird expressions.


Adam is not as excited as Joe about flag holding.


A few of the "brosephs"


Ummm, aren't you glad you trust us with your kids?!


The wonderful counselors!


Jon Armstrong in a conga line!!!


Lindsay and Shawn

This next section is what you call jowlers.
I truly hope you enjoy our late night insanity.