So this is one of those "gonna be shorter" ones...been a long, and awesome day...
I've uploaded a new album in the pics pages so make sure to check it out...
Day started with Dawn Patrol...an optional early morning worship time before breakfast. I was pleased with the number of our students that showed up! :) Always great to start the day praising God
After Breakfast was the monring chapel session, the story of David continued as we began to see the jealousy of Saul taking over. Worship was lead again by 330 Plan (Based on John 3:30, go look it up!)
First day of rec was awesome, quite a site to see 700 campers going crazy on the rec field during "4-way games". Johnathon White won the guys of Kajabi-kan-Kan! You must understand the enormity of this accomplishment, and the prestige that comes with it...Kajabi-Kan-Kan is a glorius battle in the kingdom of youth ministry (you'll see a few pics if you look at the album)...this game is simply the greatest rec game of all time...the Knights of the Round Table would wish to have even a piece of the glory that comes with being victorius in this game...way to go J-DUB!
After rec was lunch, then a trip to the beach. Most of the group walked down the boardwalk, and some played volleyball and or went in the ocean...good times, good times...
After the beach was dinner (did I mention how amazing the food here is?!?!) and then evening Chapel.
Once again worship and the message were right on target. Tonight we dealt with the fact that we are all sinners that lose focus sometimes. King Saul lost his focus off of God and turned it to watching David. Peter, after getting out of the boat, took his focus off of Christ while he was walking on water and began to sink...the parallels lined up...
After a bit of free time and hanging with students, it was back to the dorms.
Our guys have been meeting in the main lounge area of our dorm right before going to bed. In two short nights, this has become one of the highlites of camp for me. It is awesome to sit and be real with these guys..to laugh about dumb stuff that guys laugh about and then share confusion, understanding and growth as we disect the days lessons. Lots of honest sharing happening here, and tonight I let the guys in on why my favorite name of God is "Abba", which means "Daddy". I'll let your sons tell you about it...be sure and ask them!
After the guys' meeting it was time to get ready for bed. One of the guys came into my room to talk...full of tears, and a broken heart. For me, the next hour and a half or so is why I continue to follow the calling of God to minister to young people. While I may never fully understand why I get to do what I do for a living, I'll never take it for granted. To be put in a position to hear a young man bare his soul as he searches for the truths of God, and how he is trying to come to grips with what it means to be a true Christ follower is humbling. I love your kids with everything in me, and yet to be able to hopefully convey to them that my love for them is so far short of the love of our "Abba" Father is where my heart is.
Tuesday is more of the same, and for free time about 1/2 of the group is going to be doing an Urban Missions Service project..should be awesome...more of the kids want to go, but the spots are totally filled to overflowing
Tuesday night is typically "decision night". The Gospel is clearly presented and I'm praying that the students that don't yet have that personal walk/relationship with the Lord will break down their walls, and set aside their doubts and fears and take their first steps of faith into that love relationship with the Lord.
Please be praying for our staff of volunteers, they are doing amazing! I'm so proud to be serving with them!
Today's random thoughts...
Yep, that's about it...it's late!