Sorry for the inconsistency this week in posts. I haven't had too much free time this week to sit down and blog, so please forgive me for not posting all this week. Before I even begin, I already know that I'm not going to be able to cover every aspect of this week. But, I still feel that at least sharing a few highlights would be necessary. So, again, please know that SO much more is actually happening at camp. And in fact, these past two weeks have almost felt like 2 months. And that is of course due to the fact that so much is accomplished in one day's time. However, when I write now, I'm leaving so much out. The only true way to experience all that is going on would be to join us downtown. But, I will again attempt to recreate the experiences of this week in your mind as best as I can. Hold on!
For starters, it rained a lot this week. Thus, a lot of camp was held inside. Now imagine a normal size living room, with a few couches and chairs. Add to that scene 20 kids and 4 leaders. Just a little crowded you might say. But, the Lord was gracious to us this week. He gave us just the right amount of everything we needed to get through this week. For instance, Wednesday we went on a trip to the movie theatre to see Happy Feet 2. Such a great time. However, we did incur some speed bumps along the way. But, after the rocky start (walking into a movie theatre blackout 15 minutes late), all went completely well. Another huge blessing came in the form of people from last summer showing up to help out some. Also, we had 4 volunteers for Friday's trip to Happy Cow Creamery, which made for an excellent time outdoors with the kids. All in all, the week was burdensome and exhausting, yet rich and full of learning. Devotion, at least for my group, has gone moderately well. On Friday morning, I shared the Gospel with three kids and a few of them followed me in prayer to receive Christ. But, I'm hoping that their hearts truly understood and meant it. No worries, we have all summer to edify and encourage them.
Some days were harder than others. I think on Wednesday we had to send like 4 kids home. And maybe 1 or 2 kids went home each day for misbehavior. However, I'm really hoping that this laying down of the law on them will help develop discipline and behavior modification so that we can really have a core group of kids who want to learn about Jesus this summer. Sometimes though, it's tiring disciplining them all the time. But, once again, God is just showing how much grace He abounds to us, because He loves us amidst our repetitive sinfulness. He is patient with us and continues disciplining us with love and mercy to yield righteousness. So, this might sound odd, but working with these kids is almost like taking a walk in God's shoes for a day. Day after day, I face discipline issues with them. Beckoning these kids to follow Jesus, to obey us as leaders, to follow the rules, and to respect each other is almost how God beckons all of us and has beckoned all of humanity since creation to follow Him and His ways. I'm different in that I may get frustrated or want to quit on them in some cases. But, God's love is persistent and never quits. That's what I'm learning--how to show these kids love and grace and love and grace over and over and over again without losing heart and without giving up on them. Not easy by any means. But possible with God--certainly.
These kids need love and discipline. They need attention and care. They're desperate for truth and leadership in their lives. But the hardest part of reaching them is when they deny these needs. When you show them discipline and they refuse to obey. When you show them love but they don't love in return. When you care and attend to them, but they try to go it on their own. When you teach and lead them, yet they refuse to listen. So, my prayer request for this week is for their hearts and eyes to be opened that they may be able to see their need for Jesus and for change in their lives. That they would essentially wake up and smell the coffee. That they would see how much love is being poured into them and take hold of it and respond to it.
Finally, a traveling Good News Club is coming all next week. Please be praying for this team of child evangelists. Also, pray for our kids to be in attendance and to be attentive and to be responsive to the word of God.
I know I didn't share too many personal stories this week about the kids, but that's mainly due to the fact that there were definitely too many. So in this post, I went for an overall kind of feel. Hopefully, in this upcoming week, I will be able to devote more time towards really sharing/blogging about some personal stories of the kids. I truly want each reader to feel connected to this kids in the same way that I do. Please join me in praying for all of them this week.
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