Week three is over already. I can't believe how fast the summer is going by. It seems like just yesterday I flew in. That was almost two months ago. But week three was an interesting week.
It all started Monday. I was sitting in the office and waiting for the campers to arrive. My computer had been having some issues due to some corrupted files, so I was working on backing up all my files. There was a noise as if a furnace was kicking on. But It was too warm for that, and the furnace in the main building doesn't make that kind of noise. I felt a little disoriented and felt a tremble in the floor. As I looked around the office, all of our computer screens were shaking. It lasted maybe 10 seconds. My first reaction was freeze. My second was cool, I just went through an earthquake.
It was an amazing week of trials and fun. The devil hit hard on Tuesday, but God worked in the hearts of over 30 campers that professed their faith in Christ. Friday was even more amazing as 62 campers came forward to say that they have either accepted Christ as their savior, or were going to live for Him 100%. I cannot explain how awesome it was.

WEEK1

PART1:
Last night as a few of us were having a conversation about how to set up chapel for what will be the SAR (SALT, Alpine, Ranch) Chapel, we realized that it is already Friday. Where did this week go. And it was just the other day that I celebrated 1 month of being here for what is the summer camp season. And that 1 month has flown by. I also saw that in my fifth summer of being here, this was the best start so far. We had some bumps, but all in all, it was the best.

PART2:
Ok, now it is Monday. The weekend went by too fast. Saturday we went in to do some bank stuff, get some needed things, and to get some PA Turkey Hill Iced Tea. We couldn't believe it when we saw it. So we bought some, then e-mailed Turkey Hill. Response positive.
In other news, UP was amazing.
So campers arrived, and God kept a rain storm away until the campers were inside. Then it poured. Then we prayed. And as the campers were leaving chapel, it stopped. God at work.

PART3:
So far, the number 1 thing on the campers favorite list has been water front. When week one ended, Chapel took the #1 spot. It was amazing. The band, in which I am the drummer for, has taken worship to a whole new level. We put out so much energy into the music, and God continues to fill us up. Today was the first day that I felt drained. I hurt. A few of us are drained. We know that the devil is trying to take us out, but we have been praying continually for strength and wisdom.

PART4:
The weekends were once a time to get away, and when it came time for our Sunday evening prayer and praise, many people would want to skip out. But lately, we took the weekend to another level. With movies, outings, good food, and now a prayer and worship, we don't really want to leave. Sunday "connections" time was only scheduled for about an hour, but after three hours, we just wanted to keep going on in worship, prayer, and fellowship. It was truly an amazing time of reconnecting with God and praying for each other.

The Final Countdown

Its about that time here. We realize that it is Friday, and "OH NO, CAMPERS COME MONDAY!" I look at my list of "To Dos" and notice that it hasn't shrunk as much as I wanted it to. With my puppet scripts written (soon to post an excerpt), I feel much better and relieved.
Ok, so I might not have explained the puppet dialogue I wrote. For each day that the Frontier (2nd-6th grade) Campers are here, I have a dialogue between a Narrator and a puppet named Link. During this dialogue, they share a Bible story that deals with connecting with God through Trusting, Obeying, Listening, and Praying. During the last day, we review the previous days and present the gospel. Ok, now back to what I was writing before.
With the scripts done, I just have to memorize them and get down the puppet voice. Then it is on to training the ministry team in skits, mimes, puppets and dramas. A lot of work to do in a few days. But I believe it can be done. I can't wait to see what God will do. The first week is going to be a little rough, but once we get into the groove of things and, the ministry becomes confortable with the material, we are going to have a great time.
For all of wondering... do they really go swimming up there? The answer is yes. I was going to go in with the ice still on the lake. A cold took that off the list of fun things to do. But today was the annual staff needs to take their swim test day. So, with little fear, and people on the dock shivering from the cold air, I bravely faced the water. It wasn't too bad. A little chilly, but good.

Prayer Requests:
-Chapel
-Setup and decorating - still to be done
-Ministry Team - learning teaching tools
-Staff - Preparation for camp
-Campers - Monday is the BIG DAY!