Wow. How is the first camp over already? It was a busy but good time. I learned many lessons personally. Staff served enthusiastically. Campers made decisions - either for the first time or to recommit their lives to Christ. God is good and He has blessed us! We have seen Him work.
Of course, there were crazy moments as well. For example, the 4:15am phone call I received because a fire alarm was going off at one of the camps. There was no fire, praise the Lord, but it took a little while to figure out how to shut it off. Sprained ankles. Sick campers (and staff!). An abundance of certain foods (better too much than not enough, right?).
The first group of campers left yesterday. There were many tears and hugs and pulling kids apart as they departed by car and train. I felt mean as I said "No, you need to get in my van now or you'll miss your train" more than once. (Tough love, right?)
The first group of staff left today. It's much more exciting to pick them up at the airport, than to drop them off. What started as names on a list had become faces when we picked them up two weeks ago. Now, they are dear precious people with amazing gifts and the desire to serve - people who become precious to both us (the coordination team) and the campers. It seemed too soon for them to leave!
But they had barely left when they were replaced with a fresh group of faces to put with names. That group of (jet-lagged) faces has been warmly welcomed and is hopefully currently sleeping soundly. I am directing one of the camps this session - the Palmgarten camp. Please pray for our camps. Pray for staff unity - for love for each other and the campers. For physical safety, strength, and health. For God to do amazing things in all of our lives, but especially the campers. Pray that campers will decide to follow Jesus and come to know Him better at camp. Cause that's why we do what we do.
For the kids and the gospel and the gospel and the kids...
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