Camp Week 1...Complete!

JYC Staff 2009 My Major Group acting a little crazy
Major Group Love

Jim's CMG with Mr. Williams who they built a ramp for

Kevin's CMG with Ms. Joyce who they bleached her traler and washed her car

"My friends, what good is it to say you have faith, when you don't do anything to show that you really do have faith? Can that kind of faith save you?" -James 2:14

I still can not believe camp week 1 is over. It seems like just yesterday I was arriving back at Joshua Youth Camp to start my first pre-camp. The week was filled with the love of God and it was amazing to see how many lives were changed by the time campers left on Saturday.

Pre-Camp consisted of the staff and I visitng people in Anson, Stanly, Union, Cabarras, Montgomery and Rowan Counties. Brian, Ben and I (the three fields) were also out scheduling projects with people God had led us to. I can not tell you how it feels to see someones reaction when you tell them you are going to be able to do a project for them. It doesn't matter if it is just a simple yardwork problem, they are just so blessed to recieve help and everytime I come across this, I am reminded of why God put me here. Friday was our lumber delievery day. To our luck, home depot dropped our lumber off first thing in the morning so we were able to deliever all of our lumber by Friday night! Saturday was such a relaxed day that I got to spend with my staff.

Sunday was started our crazy week as campers began to arrive about 10. It was so much fun to welcome campers into camp and be in the toolshed with Brian all day! During "fun in the field" one of our adults (kevin eudy) sprained his wrist while trying to stand up. Later on in the evening we had another accident when one of our adults (kathy) was hit in the eye with a frisbee and had to get seven stitches. Need less to say, our director (emily) was at the hospital majority of the night with kevin and kathy and so we performed our first worship of the week without our director. But to our surprise, everything could not have gone better and the campers loved it.

Through out the week our worship theme of obessions continued to get bigger and bigger. Worships were filled with tears, laughter, silence, singing, and a visit from a stray kitty who came across us during major group worship. While planning our worships the staff really felt God chaning our views on the way things should be done and at first I really questioned this...but after week one, I am so glad God put the ideas into our heads that he did.

Our campers were blessed with meeting some of the most amazing people I think CCC has ever worked for. My CMG's built ramps, handrails, painted and did some yardwork. Everytime I visitied a worksite I was just in awe at how well each CMG was working together. God really does take a hand in deciding who gets put in what groups! My favorite part of each day is sharing. Since no staff member is able to get out to every group, it is always fun to hear how others days went. From hearing how well cmg's worked together to how the person they worked for was just filled with God...everyday it just brought a smile to my face!

Friday night was a very powerful night for our campers. I could not keep myself from crying during the final sharing as campers got up and told us how CCC had changed their lives. After fish hook, I was confronted with a very large opstacle has a camper approached me about getting help with his life. I want give details but I just ask that you all pray for this young man as he is trying to leave the gang he is involved in. He is so full of the holy spirit and I just pray God will be able to help him out of this situation he is in.

It is bittersweet to be home because it is so good to finally see my family and to rest. However, I can't begin to explain how much I am looking forward to getting back to camp on Thursday. Yep, Thursday. I have orientation at UNC-Charlotte Wednesday and half of Thursday so I will be a little late coming back for pre-camp number two!

To end I want to list just a few of the funny moments of the week: Ricky Martin-green eggs-PENCILS!!!-traveling into Loy Whites territory for a much needed cook out milkshake-Waking up to Richard Simmons-wearing medical pants on the worksite-getting a ticket-tiny the 22 lb chihuahua-bug bites-bobcat attack during worship-you're beautiful...you're glowing...are you pregnant?