Our Week of Camp

  This past weekend Ali and I returned from an exhausting and blessed week of camp.  We directed a Saturday-to-Saturday session for 13 to 18 year olds.  The theme was, “Jesus me amaria, Cantando minha historia” (Jesus would love me, Telling my story).  It is impossible to put all that took place there into words, but God showed up in an amazing way, and He was glorified in the lives of our campers and our team.  

 

 

pic #1- Ali & I introduce the camp session

  Our main message was that the love of Jesus for us is amazing, not just because of what he did once upon a time, but because of what he does, every day in our lives.  Each morning one of our counselors would reinforce this by talking about someone who Jesus interacted with whose life was a lot like theirs, and how just like the Bible characters, they received the love and acceptance that changed their lives.  At the end of each day we offered time for any of the campers who were touched by this story to share from their hearts as well.

    

pic #2- Guto shares parallels                                 pic #3-  Lucas reflects on how

between his life, and that of Peter                    the message of the day spoke to him

This morning class was followed up with group time where campers wrote down their thoughts on the message, talked about what the application of it would look like in their lives, and put together creative ways to demonstrate it in the evening gatherings.  These groups were used incredibly by the Lord to touch lives and to bring the message into the practical realm.  All of the campers were put into four groups, shown below in pics 4 - 7.

      

  In the afternoons campers chose what classes they wanted to take part in.  Choir, arts, nature and culinary classes were daily options.

   

pic 8 Choir class                                                           pic 9 Art class

   

pic 10-  Nature class and hike                                            pic 11-  Culinary class

After these classes we had some  free time, group games, and sports.

     

pic 12- Chillin' with the Gee-tar                     pic 13- My cousin Jeff leads a treasure hunt

  

   

pic 15 & 16-  Brazilians try out the pigskin...       and love it! 

  

pic 17- Playing soccer, my foul caught on      pic 18- Soraya (Counselor) and Buckeye (my dog) 

  camera. Sheesh!                                       catch a recovery nap

  

Ali's birthday came mid week, the campers secretly hung around late to surprise her just after midnight on the big day, then sang to her again at lunch, dinner, and night time tea.  She also received three cakes throughout that day! 

      

pic 20- midnight surprise                                                  pic 21-  cake #1

  

And that's a wrap!  This picture was taken just before getting on the bus to head home. Yes, that is my dog Buckeye with the camp dog's throat between her jaws, but they were great friends. Really!

Starting Saturday is take two, a four day encounter where Ali and will be running the youth part.  We pray that He will bless this second round as he did the first.