Catch up

WOW! So much has happened since our last post.

Mike began his full time job at Bright Horizons at the school age teacher. While he did that I worked for camp for 40 hours a week until I also got a job at Bright Horizons as a infant teacher. This made it so that we needed to move. We found a delightful 2 bedroom duplex in downtown Issaquah that is super close to work

 During all of this we found out that I was pregnant!! I'm due April 29th. Pictures will be coming soon of the baby bump as it grows and pictures of the house.

Would still appreciate prayers as God is continuing to supply everything that we need and more and as our baby grows.

Blessings to you all!

Continuing the Call

Camp is officaly over. And as we woke up on Saturday morning there was a sad quietness that swept over camp. Our morning are usually full of inflatables, loud music, and over 200 kids having a blast. As we move on into the Seasonal part of camp ministry, there is finally time to reflect on the things that have happened here.

     The last two weeks of camp have been the most uplifting to me by far. I have had time to interact with the staff, and give lots of attention to campers. Working closely with the children has been very rewarding. Getting to spend the day with them and see how God works in their lives.

     Now that the summer is over, we are moving to a time of preparation and planning for next summer. This season is always a little difficult for me, as there is less interaction with people and more interaction with things.During the retreat season Amy and I will be doing some work for camp for groups that are coming in and helping with the plans for next summer. With many of the staff gone, and the change in programming we have another big adjustment to make. Please pray for us as we become engaged in the community around us. We need to find a church home, employment, friends, and support out here.However, we are trusting in God and know that he will provide for us. This is very evident in the fact that I have already found employment.I will be running a before and afterschool care program for elementary aged children for a local daycare center. This will be a great opportunity to continue to work with kids and meet parents in the community.

     Please pray that Amy is able to find employment and that we are able to establish and impacting presence to the people around us. The ministry is not over, it has just changed. Thank you for your continued support. Our address will remain the same and we would love to hear from you. In Christ

Week 10 at Sambica

     Our summer is now dwindling down do its last day. While Amy and I will be staying on to do seasonal work, I have been reflecting a lot about this summer. It has been great serving at this camp. The staff comes from all over, and all have come together for one purpose; to further God's kingdom.

     The last two week there has been no overnight camp. This has given me the opportunity to work more closely with people and to develop relationships with both campers and staff. Last week (week9) we had our little tykes day camp (1st-3rd grade). I got to spend a large part of my day with these kids. It was a appreciated change of pace.

     The thing that has always struck me the most about camp, is the uncertainty of working with campers. There is never any way to tell  where these kids are coming from, and where they are going home to. Our job as staff, is to ensure that while they are here we offer to them the message of Christ and do our best to love them they way Christ loves them. This is no easy task. This week we have over 250 day campers (1st-5th grade). It is no coincidence that our last week of camp is also our biggest. There is no overnight camp this week either, and I have been taking advantage of my extra time. I have really enjoyed being able to single out smaller groups of children and spend time with them. I have been helping during field time and life guarding down at the waterfront, so I have been able to see almost all the campers and staff this week.

    My request is that you pray for the rest of the week, our last week here at Sambica. I would also ask that you pray for the nearly 2,000 kids who came to camp this summer. Pray that they are able to take home with them what they learned, never forgetting the week of God's good news they received. Also, please pray for the summer staff. I know first hand how life changing a summer on staff can be. As people are getting ready to packing up and head back home to school, jobs, etc please pray that they too remember what they experienced this summer.

Where we are and where we are going.

Well some summer is quickly coming to a close. Amy and I have greatly enjoyed our time here, and have loved being a part of the ministry at Sambica. The summer has finally drawn to an end. After prayer and consideration, we have decided to stay on at Sambica. This may last all the way through the end of summer next year, but at this point we are uncertain as to how long we will be staying. This will be a great opportunity to develop some relationships we have made over the summer. We are excited to be able to take a little time and enjoy the area around us.

     As seasonal staff we will be working a short set of hours per week in exchange for housing. Amy and I will both need to find extra work in the community in order to support ourselves. We are also still looking for a church home. We have been to many in the area, but have not found one that meets our needs yet.

     Please be praying for us during this time of transition. Amy and I are very much counting on God to help establish ourselves our here. We have seen first hand that there is a great harvest, and we are excited to able to further God's kingdom. More information will be on the way soon.

     Thank you so much for your prayers and continued support. If you wold like to write to us our address will still be at camp (4114 West Lake Sammamish Parkway S.E. Bellevue, WA 98008).

Week 9!?!? Almost Week 10?!?!

  Where has this summer gone? We are almost done with week 9 getting ready for our last week (week 10).

   Which puts us here for about 12 weeks. God has worked in miraculous ways that I'm sure I haven't even heard about this summer. He called just about a 900 children ages 4-18 into his kingdom this summer and we have a week left. Pray that we break the 1000 mark.
 
    God has answered so many prayers including our prayer on where to go from here. And God said don't go, stay. So, we have agreed to stay on at Sambica as seasonal staff helping with different retreats and groups in the off season. We are also looking for other work since season staff are paid in housing and not money. Pray for God to provide other mission fields and work in the next few weeks.

   Thank you for all your prayers. Become a pen pal with us. Mail has been our tangible way to stay connected with family and friends back home and we look forward to it. Also, if you would like to yourself to us, send us an email and we'll try to set something up.

The best is yet to come!

 Its Week 5 here at Sambica and it is our biggest week yet. Our resident camp (the one I supervise) is at max capacity this week. Our Day camp has over 200 kids here this week. It has been great to see camp run to its fullest potential. With this great opportunity there is a lot of excitement with the staff.

     Amy and I are enjoying our summer, but it is getting to that halfway point where things become difficult. After a few weeks of running around all day, people get tired out. We ask for prayers for rest and a servants heart no matter how tired we get.

     The summer continues here at Sambica and we are very glad to be a part of it. We are indeed missing our family and friends back home, but it has been great to be a part of what God is doing in this area. It has been such a change to be a part of ministry in an environment that tries so much to function without God. We appreciate your continued prayers and support. God bless.

Beginings, reunions and returns

    Last week, I left camp early to come back home to Michigan to take part in my best friends wedding. It was so great to be home and see family and friends. I was able to spend a day at Center Lake Bible Camp visiting all our old friends and going back to a place that has meant so much to me. My friends wedding was fantastic. It was a great celebration of a Godly couple. Going home was still difficult. I had just gotten to a point of being comfortable with the new freinds we had made here, and then I was reunited with my old friends back home. This has made the transition back to Sambica and Seattle diffuclt. However, I do feel rejuvinated in spirit talking to so many people who are praying and supporting us in our mission here.

     This week at Sambica is one of our few Jr. high weeks. These weeks are very important as these young adults are starting to determine what kind of lives they will live. Last night we had campfire time with the campers and just opened it up to discussion. Lots of campers talked about how they solved problems in thier lives. It was a great experience not just for campers, but for the staff as well. They were able to see that even though the campers are kids, they still face very serious problems everyday. We hope to encourage and lift these campers up and let them know that God is able to help them with the problems they face. We had the campers look up and stare into the night sky. As the sun was setting into a blazing our sunset and the stars were coming out, they got a look at creation. they were able to see what God made. In this we told them that the creator of all things, created them and watches over them. A God who controls the stars in the skies also controls what happens in thier life. God is able to handle any problem in thier life.

     Please keep praying for young lives to come to Christ this summer. Great things are happening here, but as the summer continues staff become tired. It gets difficult to have the same energy as the first weeks. Pray for rest for our staff, patience, and the ability to keep on loving. Thanks for your continued support.

HIS STRENGTH in our weakness-week 4

   God is moving. Week 4 (third week with campers) was great. Kids met Christ for the first time and had fun. Our goals were accomplished! A great week for Christ also means that the enemy was working harder than ever before. There were kids that went home due to illness and circumstances, some were just plain old naughty and staff were stretched to the limit. But HE was strong in our weakness and worked when we were unable too. Last week's numbers were 70 saved for the first 2 weeks. I'm excited to hear how God worked this last week.
  Please continue to pray for strength, wisdom and patience going into this next week. 
  3 down, 6 to go, 1000+ will hear about Jesus this summer.

What a week! end of week 3

    It was quite the different week this week. We had Pre-K campers for 2 days, classic day camp for 4 days, no rez (resident) camp and got the holiday off. But God is still working as yesterday a camper lead another camper to Christ while swimming. Praise God! This week has also been relaxing for most staff because for the low number of days and campers.
   But pray for us as we go into next week full throttle with day camp and rez and higher numbers.
   Mike is also flying home for a few days to stand up in his best fiend, Kiel's wedding. I'll be here hanging out at the female leadership house. So pray for us as we are apart. Also pray for health for the staff as there is a cold bug going around like wildfire.
 

I raise my Ebenezer stone

As part of our worship this week, Shakespear (our worship leader) has been choosing Come Thou Fount. And one verse starts as "Here I raise my Ebenezer" so that is what I am doing. God has brought us through so much in the last 3 years. He has brought us through unemployment, homelessness, and so much more. But He has provided money and housing at every turn.  And now He has brought us to Washington, to work in ministry at Sambica. 

We're not sure what God has for us after this summer but we know that we will be in His hands no matter what happens. How has God provided for you? Do you trust Him with everything that you have? 

PS: We would love to hear from you. Our address is 4114 W. Lake Sammamish Prkwy SE Bellevue, WA 98008.

Week 3

It is now our third week at Sambica. Campers come next week and the staff is very excited for that I (Mike) have been able to play a large part in staff training. The staff have all been very eager. There has been a lot of bonding over the last week, and all the staff are greatly looking forward to kids coming next week!

 Over the last few weeks we have been able to understand more of our surroundings. We have talked to local people and return staff, and have been able to get a clearer picture of the purpose of this ministry. The majority of kids coming to camp this summer not only have not gone to church before, but many have not experienced a Christian environment at all. It is going to very important for all our staff to demonstrate Christ at all times.

Amy and I are beginning to settle into our roles. I have already had some great converstation with staff about how to help campers who need extra attention, and Amy is developing relationships with the girls she is going to working with. We have enjoyed getting to know some of the other married staff at camp.

We pray for continued support both fincial and prayer, not just for us but for all the staff at Sambica this summer. Soon we will post some pictures of camp and maybe even a video  tour!

Week 2

Week 2 at Sambica is feeling more like home. It's still not Center Lake Bible Camp but it is Sambica and it has been a blessing. We have had a chance to get to know more people, get more comfortable in our roles here, and be blessed being in a Christian setting again. 

Another couple (Rob and Carrie) and thier 2 kids have been a blessing most of all. They are allowing us to use an extra bed that they had which is a million times better than the one that was in the cabin when we got here. I (Amy) also got a chance to talk to Carrie and get to know her and her family and she has the quiet and gentle spirit that I have been trying to learn about. So I informed her that I would coming to her this summer for advice and leadership and she readily agreed. Praise God for answering the prayers of those back home and provided a couple who we can turn to. Thanks again for your support!

More staff have arrived. I (Amy) got the privalage of picking people up from the airport today. This gave me a chance to get to know some of the new staff. With the new staff coming in I feel like we are now truly in leadership. Also looking forward to finding out more about what my job is going to look like this summer with 60 female staff.
please pray for relationships to form quickly and that my actions and aditude is one that allows the women to feell comfortable and connected with me.
Thank you for your continued support.

Our first week

    Well, we just finished our first full work at Sambica. This has truely been a great experience for the both of us. Our first few days were filled with leadership training. This was a great time to meet the other leaders we would be working with during the summer. Our training was off camp, so we were able to bond and focus on working together. This was great, but Amy and I were anxoius to get back to back and hopefully get our stuff.

     The Lord was great and provided for us. On Friday we were able to get the truck with all our belongings in it back to camp. This was a great relief for the both of us. We got unpacked and finally felt settled. This helped alot because then we were able to focus on our jobs and what we needed to accmolish this summer.

     I am very excited for my position, and have really bonded with some of the staff here (including the program directors 2yr old daughter who insists I pick her up everytime we meet). We are still adjusting to the weather, and to the area. We are in an affluent part of town and people carry themsleves differently.

     We would appreciate your continued prayers and fincail support as we are still in a time of transition. Thank you for all you have done for us!!!

Wow, leadership training

So we finally made it to the camp after 2 days of uneventful driving, and 2 days of more events than we thought possible in 2 days. But once the devil's walls were broken down God got us to camp. We got in late on Sunday night but Sarah and Ashley met us and showed us where to sleep. The next morning was filled with rope course, paperwork and packing ( which we had done alsready because we never unpacked) and into the 15 passanger with 114 people to head out to our Leadership Retreat/training on Cushman lake (GORGEOUS!). We recieved our camp names which are Avalon and RedGreen, met the other 12 staff that we will e working closely with this summer, hiked, slept, hung out and got to know what we are going to be doing this summer and the people around us. We were welcomed with open arms and enthusias. 

We know beyond a doubt that we are where we are supposed to be this summer. Mike is working with Ryan Story (aka Gnarly) on the Resident program while I am working with David (Thunder) being staff counselors. Please pray for us because we both have great responibilities. I will let Mike tell you more about his position later. 

I am working with 60 female staff this summer making sure they are healthy spiriatually, emotionally and relationally. Mike and I are living in upper camp which is also known as drama island. :) 

God is already working and we have been able to hear how we were all brought to the camp  which is nothing but a miracle. And we are from all over including Australia, Chech republic, Wisconsin, Arizona, California, Flordia, and Virginia. 

Looking forward to a great summer. Stay posted for more details. 

The day before

Today was our three year anniversary, and unfortunate it kinda squeaked by unnoticed. Not that it wasn't special or anything, but we had so much going on it was hard to make it a priority. It truly is amazing where you end up in life. Our truck is packed, our route is planned, and the road ahead awaits us. We have been so blessed by so many people of the last few days. The encouragement and support is amazing. I feel that as we head out into the unknown of the road ahead, we are also heading out into the unknown of where exactly this adventure will take us. While I am sure there is so much wonderful things in store for us, getting there is proving to be a challenge. However, I think we are up for it.

     With so little time to get everything to fall into place, the whole impact of what we are doing has not quite hit us yet. I think we are ready, but only time will tell for sure. What I am sure of is that I with the right person. I can't image anyone else I would rather be with.

     Tonight; rest. Tomorrow;the road. Hello Seattle

Leaving, huh?

So, there we were...

 Living in a house that wasn't our, with 2 roommates, and poor paying jobs. These were great blessings but the time had come to move on. To where, we did not know. Then a call came from Seattle, Washington. We weren't sure about it at first. Then the signs were clear that God was sending. We had been told for months to pack because God was sending and now we knew where.

  Now the stress and expertise of packing kicked in. We are almost ready to go.

 We are going to miss our "home" but we won't be gone forever. Thank to everyone who has give us their prayers and support. 

Be sure you are ready for an answer

     Well it all happened so fast. There were so many job opportunities and I was just waiting for a phone call to come through. I was top ten, top five, even top two and still none of them came through. It was so frustrating to hear over and over again that I had great qualities, but someone else was chosen for the position. So there we were, needing to get out of the house withing a few weeks, not making enough to support ourselves and no future job prospects, when I got an email from a family friend to post my resume on the the CCCA website. I got two responses in two days. It seemed crazy. We both loved working at camp, but a camp on the other side of the country? After a few phone calls, and some days spent in prayer, we decided that we would make Camp Sambica in Seattle Wa our home for the summer.

     Now we are packing, figuring out where to store everything, and realizing just how far away Seattle is. But despite all the hard work its going to take to get there, we are very excited. We love the opportunity to be able to work Christians, to spread the gospel and help encourage the lives of others. It seems so strange to be going to a different camp, but we are excited to find out what Christ has in store in for us.

     We want to say thanks to everyone for all the support. Keep checking out the blog as we will be posting throughout the summer. We would love encouragement from everybody. Thanks!