God is REAL and He can be KNOWN!

June 12, 2008

Yesterday’s theme was “God is Real!” and the verse was Romans 1:19-20 (the longest verse of the whole week!). “God has shown us who he is since he created the world. God’s invisible qualities and His power have been clearly seen by what He’s made so that people have no excuse for not knowing him.” The kids have learned it to a chant and the majority was able to say it by dinner. Amazing!

Today’s theme was “He can be Known.” The campers learned James 4:8 to a catchy tune – “come closer to God and He’ll come closer to you.” They got to play a game called ‘best friends’ where they were given half of a pair - socks/shoes, batman/robin, etc – and had to find the other camper who had their match. Then they had to get to know a little about their new best friend and share with the whole group. It was lots of fun, and a lesson was learned to boot.

By the time you read this, it will be Thursday. It’s right about the middle of the week. Group leaders are exhausted and kids are falling into a routine, and as they as they get more comfortable with each other, both blessings and challenges abound. One of the big challenges for leaders is to stay consistent with their ‘family’ and to be on the same page as their fellow leaders in their family. And to do this while continuously loving on children that are in their care for the week just adds to that challenge. Yet another challenge is being consistent with the more challenging kids (those who are physically demanding attention), they also have to remember to love on the kids who are quiet and obedient. It’s like starting a family with four to eight children – all at once.

On the flip side, one of the most rewarding things at this stage of camp is to see the children begin to open up. They’re talking about what they’re thinking, they’re smiling, they’re helping others, and they’re talking about home life with their group leaders. These things are what make the sand, the sweat, and the tears ALL worth it. Watching these children become children again – instead of the streetwise, harden people they have to be – man, it’s powerful.

We covet your prayers at this pivotal time at camp. Pray for wisdom, patience and rest for the leaders and pray that opportunities would arise for each leader to have incredible discussions with their campers.

Walking through camp tonight as everyone was getting ready for bed it was so incredible to see how those relationships in each little family are already so precious. Voids are being filled in these children’s hearts with God’s love flowing through each group leader as they prayed for their campers, talked to them and just loved on them in every little way as they got ready for bed.

Check out some of the photos from the last couple of days at camp. See the amazing transformations occurring in these little lives every day of the week. Pray with us that these transformations are permanent and that when they return home to Austin on Saturday, they would be new creatures, built up and ready to face the world.