To see added pics, you'll need to scroll down past yesterday's in the album...
So yesterday, we had a counselor meeting at 8:00am, pretty standard...as a part of this daily happening, we are allowed to grab some breakfast and bring it in, and eat during the meeting...well, in yesterday's meeting, I had grabbed a big bowl of lucky charms, and forgot to get a spoon, and ended up using one of the blades of my utility knife to eat it 3 or 4 pieces of cereal at a time...
Fast forward to today...I grabbed a bowl of oatmeal with the same plan for the counselor meeting, but I remembered my spoon! Very proud of myself, thank you very much. As I was going in, I handed my bowl of oatmeal to one of the staff at the of the aisle I needed to navigate down to the other end of, as I was also holding a couple of drinks and my backpack...I just asked him to hand the bowl down to me....Unknown to me, my ever alert and faithful staff had taken it upon themselves to make sure I wouldn't be without an eating utensil, and each of them had procured an extra spoon, knowing I'd be bringing in something to eat, as usual. I unknowingly played right into their hands, and when I received my oatmeal, after it had been passed down the line, it was overrun with spoons...I love my staff :)
On to better things...
In morning chapel we heard from "Red" and Vanessa, a very cool missionary couple in South Africa. They have a surf and activities (sewing, art work, etc) ministry to the very poor people there...pretty encouraging stuff!
Rec was crazy again, the kids competed hard and had varying degrees of success, but consistent fun by all! I'm basically walking from game to game, trying to get a picture here and there as I go...
Then it was lunch and free time. Many of students went to the beach, some played basketball, and 22 students and 5 leaders went on our urban mission trip. First we assembled "snack-packs" that included 4 health bars, a drink, and a pair of socks for homeless people, and then we practiced conversations on how to hand them out. Some of the people with New Vision Fellowship are formerly homeless, so to practice with them was a great nerve calmer.
Then we loaded into a good size caravan, probly 7 or 8 vehicles, with about 60 people total, and headed to downtown San Diego. Each student had 3 or 4 care packages to distribute, and we went to a local place where this was extremely easy, as there were many homeless in this area of downtown SD. (And yes, we had TONS of adult supervision!).
It was such a great experience to talk with, shake hands with, and even pray with so many of these people with huge needs. One blessing that was felt by a number of team members, was that some homeless people would pray for us! Not what the kids were expecting at all.
The kids were great, polite, genuine, and caring. It didn't take long to hand out all that we had. So great to "see the light go on" with some of our students that had never experienced this type of thing...
After that, it was back to the campus for dinner and then evening chapel.
The praise time is going to that "next level" as students anticipate God showing up, and joining Him there. They are feeling the safety of this environment to pour out their hearts. This is one of the big repetitive joys of my life, singing worship at camp, there's just something different about it that I truly look forward to.
Chris Simning, our gifted speaker, then brought the message. What an impact, and not in the way you'd normally expect. At the end, as he gave the invitation, 8 students (of roughly 650) walked forward to receive Christ! Amen! Heaven is different! We have 8 new brothers and sisters! While some would look at the numbers and unfortunately say "only 8?!", it was so powerful. For those 8, their lives are no longer bound for an eternity apart from the love or our Father! Don't give me an "only?!" for that!
And then...oh man, then....Chris spoke so briefly to the Christians...specifically the ones who needed to do business with God. He didn't go into a typical "maybe your struggling with this or that"...he simply said, "You know who you are, and so does God...stop what you're doing and repent" He counted to 3, and there was one of the most powerful sounds I've ever heard...as HUNDREDS of students simultaneously stood up, the loud sound of the folding seats raising to their upright positions...it was not a ripple of some seats, then others as maybe some people would stand b/c their friend would...it was a short, powerful, burst. As Chris had instructed their be no clapping for the repentant Christians, this was amazing. The loud burst of the seats, then instant silence as God moved. Boom!
Many of our students stayed behind and talked with our staff leaders about the business they needed to do. I got a few pictures, but was trying to be sensitive.
After that, a little free time, played a little more hacky sack with some kids, and back to the dorms.
In the guys dorms, (as I'm sure in the girls', but I can only speak to the guys') things are going great. God is working hard on many of these young men, and there are tears of laughter, and brokenness. Pretty special time...
I'm about to fall asleep as I'm typing. sorry if there's any typos...
Tomorrow is Super Spirit Day...crazy clothes come out!
Be blessed, because...
God Rulz!
TN
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