Sunday, July 31, 2005

It's been a great summer so far. God has really been working through us to reach the campers. It's sad to see them go, especially when they have so many questions about things. We're using the Quest program which breaks us up into smaller discussion groups so for each camp I'm able to get to know my group quite well. I was able to have some good talks with a few of the girls, so I know that a lot of them are searching, but they're scared or just unsure of things. They don't like the rules and with so many other beliefs out there they just aren't sure which one is true, if any. Some of them feel that they can believe what they want and God won't condemn them for it. It's so hard to show them the truth...only the Holy Spirit is able to make it clear to them. Your prayers would be greatly appreciated for this ministy. These campers are all coming for free from different home lives. So many of them don't feel loved, so we're trying to show them that we care and more importantly that God loves them and cares about them.
We have one day camp left, starting on Monday, and then overnight camps start. I'm excited about them, but they will be very wearing. Mike and I have a ton of programming to get done within the next few weeks. Our theme is going to be "The Amazing Race" so we're hoping to base the activities and such on the show. It could turn out very well if we spend enough time on it.
I'm only home for the weekend. Actually, I'm heading back up to camp in a few hours. It's been a busy weekend. I went shopping yesterday and got an outfit to wear to Dawn's wedding. It's only in a week!!! Crazy, eh? I'm super excited for her. 6 more sleeps :)
My sister, Dawn, broke her wrist yesterday. She got tossed around pretty good by one of the horses at the farm where she works. So she gets to wear a cast for a few weeks. I get to be the first one to sign it because I'm leaving soon. :D
Only five more weeks until school starts! I've been at Graphite for 7 weeks already. It's almost hard to believe. I continue to pray for everyone and I hope that you are all enjoying your summer! I love you all and miss you a lot! God Bless :)

Sunday, July 10, 2005

Camp has begun

I've been at Graphite for four weeks now. The first three kept me busy getting things ready for camp and helping Boyd do a bunch of maintenance type stuff. I was the only one staying at camp, until last weekend. The counsellors all came last Saturday, and camp life has been crazy ever since. :) This past week was the first week of camp. The first day camp is usually a lot busier just because it takes extra work to get the program all in order. Almost every evening we've had something that needed to get done. Shannon came and helped us last week, but she has a job starting tomorrow, so she isn't able to be at camp anymore. We really benefited from her being there, but we'll survive without her. It will just make things a little crazier.
I'm being stretched this summer at camp working with the teens. It's a huge change from working with the younger ones. It's so much harder to gain their trust, and even to answer all the questions they have. We're using the 'Quest' video series with them, and so far they seem to be quite interested. (most of them anyhow) I'm sure as the summer goes on I'll find it easier to be working with them and to talk to them.
Oh, Mike has decided that he's coming to help program for overnights! Whew! Huge relief right there. He's usually got some pretty creative ideas, and he's done it before so it should go well. It's good to know that I don't have to do it on my own now. :P

I'm home right now, for my mom's birthday. I came back for the weekend and surprised her. On Saturday afternoon we took her on the 'Serendipity Princess', a little cruise boat that goes around Kempenfelt Bay. It was nice to have us all there together. Last night we had a little birthday party for her. It was fun. :) I'm leaving shortly to head back to camp. I'm not sure when I'll be coming home next. Probably not for quite a while. :S It's pretty crazy, but it's exciting to be at camp with everyone. It's quite encouraging to see the way the counsellors want to serve God and lead the campers to Christ.

I'm not sure if much else is new. I was able to talk to Luke for a little while last night. He leaves for Ecuador on the 19th, so I'm sure he would greatly appreciate it if you kept him in your prayers. For those of you who know Charles, he's heading out to China soon for a chunk of the summer, and Courtney and Tyler are going to Zambia in August, so keep them all in mind and in your prayers.

I love you all very much and I miss you! God bless and I hope all is well with you.

Hebrews 9:27-28 - Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.