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
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
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.
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.
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
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).
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).
Thursday, August 16, 2012
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.
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.
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