Well...as my twitter update said...we arrived safe...God answers prayer :)

I can't hide it, I was a little nervous when I saw the bus pull up this morning, as it was the same exact bus that we took last year, and it broke down like 3 times last year...looooooong trip....but we made it with no problems, the ac worked great, and the driver (same guy also) seems to enjoy us...although he seemed to enjoy his cigarette every stop we took--yuck--but he's a nice enough guy...his name is Jeff so maybe you can pray a blessing for him this week too...and at least our bus was on time, after waiting for over 3 hours last week with the Jr Highers!

After we arrived, I was able to get everyone checked in okay (thanks to our staff for having the 8.74 million forms we had to have in alphabetical order!) except for one...Mr Marquis Bentley...who was flying in from Oakland after attending a family member's wedding yesterday. (more in a minute)

Fortunately, I had an extra vehicle with us. After having Dennis here with his car last week, I got the brain storm on Friday to call a couple of friends I have here to see if I could borrow a car...without much trouble I was able to get a loaner..you should see this thing! It's a top of the line mercury sable...from 1987...and it has only 49,000 miles on it! Pretty funny...not a car I would ever choose...I'll take a couple of pics tomorrow and post it...

Back to Marquis...

I had to head to the airport to pick him up (yay me, I still know my way around SD!) and I was able to find him without much trouble...there was just one problem...no luggage!

(question) "Marquis, where's your luggage?!" (answer) "Yeah, about that...."

I had already talked to him once on the phone and he said it might be on the next plane...it wasn't...and I couldn't really figure out how he and his luggage had become separated in the first place...so I had to dig a little...

After some genius investigative talents on my part, I finally got to the bottom of the story...seems my young friend simply "forgot" his luggage at his house! Just walked out the door without it! (Joe Datria anyone???)

So now it's being fed-exed to another parent who lives here in San Diego, and should arrive Tuesday...we'll keep him in clean clothes until then...

A lot of the group doing surfing tomorrow...I'll definitely try to post a pic or two...

It'll probably be after evening chapel..about this same time tomorrow

As I look back on an incredible week, it is truly humbling to think about the fact that God allows me to be involved with the work HE is doing in building His Kingdom.

It never ceases to amaze me how God seems to always use the ministry of Hume Lake to impact students in a way that few others do...

The camp speaker (PJ) brought God's truths in a very simple, and yet real and deeply impactful way. Students remember his messages, and I find myself quoting the scripture passages he used, and the thoughts he shared.

Topping off the trip by baptizing 4 students who wanted to publicy make their faith known by being batized in the ocean is something that truly leaves me at a loss for words...

Even as I anticipate heading out in just a few hours to do it all over again with our High School students, I just sit here and wonder...why me? How do I get to be the one in this particular part of God's great plan? What a great thing to be a part of! When a student "gets it" and truly gives their life over to God, fully commits, with no regrets, and no turning back...I know the joy I feel in my heart, and I can only imaging the party in Heaven!

If there's a hard part, it's definitely being away from Liz and Caleb for such an extended period this summer. My wife is amazing to support me so much. Even know she's finishing up the washing and re-packing for the 2nd of 3 trips in a row...At least we got to hang out as a family for a few hours today...running some errands, getting some food, and even watching our beloved Padres lose yet another game (easily on their way to 100 losses..but we love them!)

Please keep Liz and Caleb in your prayers :)

and I'd love to hear how your students have been impacted, and if these blogs were a blessing :)


I love my family
I love my job
I love my life

I Love God :)