camp reflections

Well, it has been a few days since we got back from camp. I have had a chance to get some decent sleep, pray, and gain some perspective from what actually went on this past week. In conclusion i feel really blessed to see what God did in our group. I had never been to any Hume Lake camps, so i didn't know what to expect. If i had to complain i would say that days were too long, free time was too short (couldn't get many naps), and we were in a lot of chapels (a 2hr in the morning and a 2hr at night). That being said, i loved having a front seat to the change in these students lives.
Spiritually i saw God really challenge the students about what it means to be a Christian. Out of our 18 students, 10 went forward to declare that they want to change their life and truly follow Jesus. 2 students in particular stated it clearly when they said that they have gone to church and accpeted Jesus a long time ago, but now they "mean it" and want to be a disciple. I think that this should be expected for people who grow up in church families. The reality is that when children are young, they often become Christians because it is the "right" thing to do and their parents are christians. It is almost a rite of passage in the family. I do not know what exactly happens there, but i don't need to. The pooint is, they have mustard seed faith. From there they are going to learn a bunch of information, memorize verses, hear Bible stories, develop quiet times and these are all good things. but just like how children start to relate to their parents differently as the grow up, they are going to relate to their heavenly father differently. God is no longer to guy who gives you things or spanks you when you are wrong... he is finally viewed as a person they can actually relate to. I think God opens up their heart to realize that there is more to Christianity and they eventually are going to need to see that something needs to change.... them and how they interact with Jesus. All that to say, i am encouraged to see that God is pursuing these students and that they are listening and responding to his conviction properly.
Relationally i was blessed because there was no "drama" at camp. All the guys and girls got along and no one became ostrasized from the group, or rumors started about someone. I liked seeing people like noah, Jon, Angela, Lily, Tessa, Matthew, and Joe become a "part of the group". It is easy for middle schoolers to always feel like they aren't "in". The funny and sad reality is that i don't know if anyone feels that way, sometimes i question if i am a part of the middle school! I think my favorite memories of the weekend was on our final day when we went to the tidepools. Swimming across to the other rocks was a ton of fun. Later on another beach, climbing down & up the path i really felt brought our group together. Middle schoolers still don't realize their need for other christians. They are such a part of their families that they don't see the need for other christian peers to encourage and exhort them. In high school they grab onto this truth, but middle school you kinda need to feed them their vegtables, because they don't know its importance yet. I love camp because it is the time where i feel like i get to know them. I usually see everyone on Sunday mornings and wednesday nights. It is only a brief window. But seeing all the guys and girls, when they are tired, excited, hungry, boored, anxious was interesting. I felt like for the boys i took the role of parent a little more then i expected, but i honestly enjoyed the moments of eating pizza at 11:40pm, telling boys to take showers, eatting lunch with the girls.
I want you to know that i was deeply encouraged by camp. I am utterly exhausted (its a good thing it only comes around once a year!) but am glad we went. Next year i do not know what we are going to do camp wise, if we will return to HumeSD, do our own camp, or go to another place. I am praying about it but i want to factor in safety, cost, what it does for our group dynamic, and most importantly what will grab our kids spiritually.

-rob