Kicking Off Camp

Camp is moving at the speed of light! We are just about half way through our first week of camp. But lets start from where I left off, sorry it has been so long, I’ll try to stay more caught up.

We had a great overnight camping trip with the four kids whose parents were running the marriage retreat. We drove around Hell’s Gate Park and found some fun animals, warded off the baboons from breakfast, and went on a gorge hike. Saturday afternoon our leadership team retreat began at Naivasha Country Club. It was a beautiful time for our team to share our hearts with each other, discuss a vision for our summer, and spend quality time together before the rest of the summer staff arrived. Last Monday we picked up 16 members of the summer camp counselors! That began our official staff week of planning and training for camp. Our team is beautiful! It blesses my soul to be surrounded by a community of people who share the same heart as me. Each of us at some point have heard the same call from the Lord, drawing them to this place this summer. It is not fair to be so blessed. While our week was filled with logistical nightmares and busyness, we stayed focused, got everything done, and shared in deeply meaningful worship throughout. Toward the end of the week we had a camp out where the staff got to see some of their first giraffes and hear lions moaning throughout the night.

Sunday was our first official day of camp. Our theme this year is “New” - “Therefore if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation, the old is gone the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17. Our goal is to share the gospel every day with all 83 campers; letting love, joy, transformation, and Christ-centered community abound. This first week of camp is like “dress rehearsal.” Being our first time at a new location with a new director and many new staff, we celebrate our many learning opportunities. While evil tries to get us down (rain, miscommunication, over heating vehicles, etc) we do not even acknowledge his power. I believe with all my heart that prayer moves this camp. When I think about the amount of prayer that my and everyone else’s support team has bathed us in, combine with the faithful hearts of those serving here, the enemy doesn’t have a chance. I see it in others and myself, this is where we are meant to be. Today I chased baboons off of my climbing routs, life guarded some crazy middle schoolers, and danced my heart out at a disco (while wearing an afro of course...well, just at the disco). The rest of the week is sure to be just as much fun, if not more...

Thank you all for loving me so much and keeping in touch. Hearing from home is always a huge blessing, it is what keeps me going and keeps me filled up. Please continue to pray. Thank the Lord for His unfailing love, mercy, and grace.

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