Highschool Camp, 2012

Who God is.
That's what Mike Banks had us camp counselors think about one morning as we sat together drinking our all-important coffee.

Who God is.
I was challenged. Challenged to remeber that it's not about me. It wasn't even just about those kids. It's about God. It's about doing everything for His glory. I walked by this tree at least once every hour for two days before I "noticed" it. Before I saw God in it. It glorifies Him. And I want to do the same. Ok, I'm done preaching (for now :) ) CAMP!!

I wanted to go to camp for two reasons. 1/ I wanted to see what God would do in the lives of the students. 2/ I wanted to serve them.
I wasn't disappointed.
Day 1 we didn't make it to camp. We were met with a very Bolivian "bloqueo". Which is a fancy word for protesters blocking the road and not letting anyone pass. We ended up staying in a hotel the first night in a small town an hour away from camp and the next day we had a 4.4 kilometer walk across this blocade awaiting us.

(4.4 km walk across the blocade. Those kids amazed me. Seriously, what troopers!)
But God got us through! He showed Himself to those kids in a mighty way and for that we thanked Him (we also thanked Him for air conditioning, TV, clean showers and towels for our first night of "camp" yes!)

(Hamin being his great self (and freaking Mariela out) This guy was a super huge blessing to me this week!)

We made it there in one peice the next day and "camp" started to look like camp at last. There was good food, team activities, the pool, card games, ping pong, solo times, small groups, worship times and sessions. For me it was all about the serious times. There were the kids that were there just because it was better than being in class. But then there were those who were there looking for Christ. There were those who knew they didn't have all the answers, but that Jesus DOES. I was blessed to pray with some of them, and observe the rest of them from afar.

I love watching people fall in love with Jesus!!

Meet some of "my girls". Ok, they're not really my girls...I had never really hung out with them for real before this camp, but I still called them that :) They're the senior girls and they're beautiful (get ready for the cliche) inside and out! I was in their cabin with the lovely Miss B. (go Emily Barlow!) and got to know them ever so slightly. They love each other, and they love Jesus. It was amazing to see!

Finally, meet Mike Banks. My Highschool youth pastor, the guy who made camp happen, lover of Jesus Christ, and one of my heros. I admire this man so much, but it's not him, It's Christ living in Him! God has has done an amazing work in and through Him and has His hand is on his life. We saw God sustain His life in amazing ways this week. Spiritually, emotionally, sanity-wise, and physically.

Thank you Mike!!

And thank you God for Mike.

Thank you highschoolers of SCCLC you're all awesome!

(ps highschoolers: remember, it doesn't end here, this is only the beginning)