SC '05

Well eveyone,

Summer camp 2005 has come and gone. These five days in San Diego at Point Loma Nazarene University were far from a vacation for me. Summer camp was great overall, some very frusterating times, but God is faithful, even when we are not. Here's the rundown on what I learned.


#1 I am not ready to be a parent, especially of a Jr. High boy. Let me elaborate.

This story is about God and one of my 7th graders in my group. He really lives in his comfort zone, which is mostly in front of the TV playing Nintendo. He is an especially physically frail individual. He's just small period. This year his Mom made him go to SC. He didn't want to go, in fact the only thing on his mind was getting out of San Diego and back to home with his Mom and creature comforts. To top things off, on the first day at camp he has an allergic reaction to some of the goo on the game field and consequently has an asthma attack. The nurses tended to him and got him settled down, but this was a terrible way to start SC for our friend. To make a long story short, this guy was basically my shadow and at any opportunity he had, mostly when he didn't want to participate, he would begin complaining about having a hard time breathing. Not only was this taxing because I had to watch him all the time, but when I lost track of him for a moment, he would go find the nurses and consume their time, hoping for some sympathy. He was always comforted, but not coddled. His "hypocondria" got to a point to where I had to pretty much just ignore it and tell him that I thought he was fine.

This was very difficult for me for two reasons. The loving side of me wants to just give him what he wants, to call his Mom and have her pick him up. As any good Mom of a scared child who's away from home for the first time would. The other side of me knows that going home isn't going to help him at all and that if he would just try the games and other activities he would be fine and love it. So after some wise council from some actual parents, I was able to deal with this situation for the rest of summer camp. It really made the first three days of summer camp very taxing and exhausting. I wasn't prepared to be a parent to this kid during SC, I was there to pour into my guys and help them grow. What was really awesome about this story is that God was working through my love, and my tough love, of this kid. God changed his heart at summer camp and he is 100% different. He used to be scared of everything, now he still timid, but not scared. This was an awesome learning expierence.

#2 The body is filled with resources, USE THEM!!!

The entire trying expierence with my guy was tough, but the body was there to help me. I shared my struggles with the staff during our meetings in the morning and they really rallied around me. I had staff members, which I had no relationship with, love on me and provide support to get through this trial of my patience. I had several different mothers who knew his mom talk to me about his family and help me understand his "unique" needs. I couldn't have possibly made it without the loving support from the body of Christ. SC really reminded me what the purpose of the body is. I want to encourage all of you, use the resources that God has equipped the body with. The Christian life was not meant to be flown solo, and you will surely fail if you try. Just swallow your pride and ask for help. That's what the body is there for.

#3 The Devil is relentless!!

Doesn't need much explaining. Basically I was on a mountain while at camp, not really failing in the areas of sin that I struggle with day to day, but still being tempted. And when I got home, there the sin was, ready to fight again. The devil is always ready to test the limits of your faith. Just take encouragement from this verse,
1 Cor. 10:13
No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it.

If we place our hope in Christ when temptation comes, WE CAN'T LOSE!!!!

Anyways, other than that, SC was a fricking blast. I had a ton o fun!!!

Chow for now brown cow!!!