This Blessed Plot, This Earth, This Realm: Creekside '10

Because he did such a good job, I'm gonna copy the letter that Nate wrote home to the parents about Summer Camp. I shall also add my own pictures as well as some incredible memories of my own. Camp was so moving this year- I love these kidlets!

Summer Camp 2010

The Voyagers Jr. High group glorified God in so many ways this week so I have sent you a list of how kids with different body parts brought praise and honor to the King.

Arms: For the 1^st time in 8 years Voyagers was not there own team (there are 4 teams at camp), we had two churches which consisted of 4 kids each with us. Of course the 8 kids were not the type to get involved. They did not want to sing, listen, dance, memorize verses, or participate in games. Well, our group of kids opened their arms, made these kids a part of our group, knew all their names after the first meeting, showered them with love and kindness, and by the end of the week these kids were shouting the memory verses, jumping up and down during music, and desired to learn from God’s Word. Why? Because our kids put there arms around them, cheered for them, and showed them clearly how enjoyable it is to worship Jesus Christ. One counselor from the other church said “Our kids did not participate or sing until they met you guys.”

Tongue: Usually the tongue is the most destructive body part at camp but not this week, in fact it was just the opposite. The kids affirmed each other continually every day. They never stopped! Whether it was the games, cabin times, or free time the group continually affirmed the good in each other. Believe me it was quite shocking and a great blessing.

Ears: This has been a strength of the Voyagers Jr. High group for a long time and I don’t know why but I am so thankful for it and it is this: the incredible listening of our group. When you have nearly 225 Jr. Highers together it is not easy to listen, but again this year these kids listened and they did it well. They truly are an example for all the other kids at camp.

Minds: Every year one of the favorite times of camp is something called “solo time.” For twenty minutes you are to be silent going through a booklet, reading the bible, and praying. Our kids love this time and I love so much how they desire to just spend one on one time with the Lord. The kids ability to focus their minds solely on the Lord during this time is awesome and again they are a great example to the rest of the kids at camp.

Feet: You are not going to believe this but the Jr. Highers washed each others feet and it was a highlight for many at camp!! I could not believe how our whole group got in a room, divided into cabins, and took turns washing the feet of the person on there right and then spoke words of affirmation to the person while they washed there feet. It was so beautiful and touching.

Mouths: All week, with their mouths, the kids were worshipping God with all they could muster. Whether it was singing, yelling memory verses (we had the most epic memory verse song ever; check it out on facebook or have your son or daughter sing it to you), sharing in cabin time, or getting to know each other at meals; you could hear out of these young mouths beautiful, wonderful adoration for God. And we know that which comes out of the mouth comes from the heart!!

Hair: Yes even with our hair we brought glory to God. As one big group we all went to the Mud Bowl and spent a wonderful time putting mud all over each other, especially in each others hair. It was such a great time of laughter with each other and a great memory.

Hearts: As you can tell from the above our kids have a great love for Jesus Christ and it shows vividly in their love for each other!!!

I could write more about competition and our domination, cabin times, meal times, and free time, but I will stop now. Thank you for the privilege of helping you bring your child closer to the Lord, it is so good and I enjoy every moment of it!!

Nate

To add:

-Triangle club!

-Mud pit.... so dirty... I think I'm still finding mud in places that there shouldn't be mud.

-Affirmation nights, especially the night with the singing and all of the shooting stars

-staff bonding time

-EPIC wojo battles, especially the three-way fight between Breanna, Emma and Ariana where Ari got sold out by Emma

-Cabin bonding night... going up on the zipline in the dark, walking around camp in darkness and talking about how God is our flashlight, scaring Jen, nicknaming each other and washing each others feet.

Enjoy the pictores!