Here I am. Finished with our second week of the summer and writing my first post of real life camp. I mean, I've tried to keep everyone updated right? Here's a little rundown of our first two weeks in Charleston.
We arrived in Charleston on the Tuesday evening before our camps started, giving us plenty of time to set up and get things rolling. Molly had a wedding to go to Saturday before camps so we had to make sure we got everything in order before she left us. Thankfully Olivia was around because we had a lot to do. This facility is huge! We are so blessed by the resources that Northwoods Baptist has provided for us. Some serious air conditioning, a beautiful industrial kitchen, a fully loaded program space, more than enough sleeping rooms, just taking a tour made me excited about camp! Meeting the people was also incredibly encouraging. The people at this church and serving alongside us are so welcoming. Southern hospitality is a real thing ya'll. Molly and I had a really good feeling about this summer, just from the first few days. Olivia left us to help at another camp on Sunday before our first camp started. We miss her greatly but only selfishly. We know her incredible talents are being used wisely elsewhere!
Week one was crazy- but then again, it always is. The Sunday night dinner we ordered didn't happen, Molly and I were running around like chickens with our heads cut off, my package with all the important paperwork somehow got sent to Portland, the showers broke...twice on Sunday, I winged every single morning program, we had serious situations on Monday, crews had the wrong directions, we had some legitimate fanny packers (real fanny packs included), we were constantly running out of food, and to top it all off (because that's all I can remember right now) SOMEONE STOLE THE SOUR GUMMY WORMS MOLLY BOUGHT FOR ME!! How dare they. This is all funny though because the week actually went by really smoothly. We generally had incredibly positive adults who encouraged and helped us all throughout the week. Our volunteers were rockstars- Rachel and Sara- we would not have done it without them. Participants had life changing weeks, they loved their projects and their crews. We got so much positive feedback about how well we were running camp and handling problems that we almost believed we were! Our worship leader was fantastic. And most importantly, participants saw Jesus at work. It all clicked for them. They got it. I could see the gears turning on Monday night and then I watched as everything fell into place on Wednesday night. Yes, the week was crazy. But did we create an experience where youth encountered Jesus? Absolutely. Mission accomplished. To God be the glory because I know I had nothing to do with it.
A snapshot of the entire camp coming together to worship the Lord. Incredible.
Still smiling! Congrats to you Mol- First week ever with Group? You handled it all like a pro. I'll be saying it all summer: it's a blessing to be serving with you.
We both went into week two a little more mentally prepared than the first week and excited to see what a little more experience working together would do for us. Once again- we were blessed with fabulous volunteers- Laura and Dallas. They were the mom and dad we needed this week- to hug us when we were stressed, pray with us when we were discouraged, and make sure that we ate every meal! (We definitely heard about it if they noticed we weren't at meals... and there was usually a plate saved for us in the fridge!) This week again was busy but less so with the details and more with the big problems. I learned a big lesson in making judgements. Here's a few take aways from week two:
You have 1 out of 7 groups that is from a non-religious school and you start to think they might have a problem with being at a Christian mission trip? Don't try to place labels. They could be one of the most positive, encouraging, and helpful groups you have!
A little bit of Gospel music with our one group from an OH high school.
You think that the group with everyone under the age of 15 except for 1 is going to be a hassle? Watch as they are the group who stays in the sanctuary until past lights out, praying and building each other up because of the words God had you say that night.
You think that because you kept losing your spot while presenting program no one will understand the point you were trying to get across? Stop worrying and watch what happens when you lose yourself and let God choose the words you will say. Half the camp could have a major lightbulb moment.
You think that a gang related shooting will put a halt to the work an already tentative crew is doing at a worksite? Pray. And watch as God calls those students to have courage and bravely return to the worksite. They might even bring a seven year old to Christ!
God knows what He's doing. He knows why He brings each person to camp and what He is going to with each of them. What I try to figure out beforehand is usually wrong. I've got a whole new perspective on "Let go and let God." This week may have been pretty tiring and Molly and I had quite a few very serious problems we had to address together but we did it. And we had some incredible support systems along the way and a God who had a bigger plan through all of it.
Sorry for the long post friends! I'll try to post more regularly in the future so there's less I'm trying to pack into one post. Thanks for all your prayers and updates! Missing home a little bit but loving the ministry that's happening the Charleston!
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