The craziness of March and April had nothing to do with VCU making it to the Final Four or my beloved Lady Vols getting beat out by Notre Dame. While March used to mean the coming of a much needed Spring Break, it was almost the complete opposite here at Camp Bahamas.
We started off March with a group from the Baptist Collegiate Ministries at the University of Central Florida. This was a special group because, after spending all of February putting on the finishing touches, they were officially the first group to stay in the cabins on the Camp Bahamas property! While they were here they put the hurricane clips on the foundations for the two duplex cabins along with putting the flooring on.
The group from UCF was followed by the high school boys volleyball team from Florida Christian School. They were a fantastic group who took on the difficult task of prepping the foundation of the main building for a concrete pour by shoveling dirt and rock out of trenches and tying steel. During their time here they also played volleyball in the afternoons with school children and played nightly volleyball games with some local adults.
Right after we said goodbye to Florida Christian we welcomed a youth group from First Baptist Oviedo, a group of high school students from Orlando AND Rod Straw. You may remember that Rod was here for all of January building and came back for 3 weeks in March to start work on a duplex cabin. The team from Oveido worked on the beach, the paintball field and helped Rod complete and raise the walls of the duplex cabin. While they were here they also did a VBS program in the afternoons with children from Palmetto Point.
Afer the group from Oviedo left we had a week without a team, but with Rod here that didn't mean a week without work. During that week we put a roof on the duplex cabin. It seems that amount of work should have made for a longer sentence, but oh well :)
On Monday we welcomed a youth group from Sugar Hill Church in Atlanta, GA. While they were here work continued on the duplex cabin, adding a porch with a roof, some interior walls and a set of stairs. They also continued work on the paintball field and built bunk beds. They also did VBS both in Tarpum Bay and Palmetto Point. They closed out their week last night with the first of many bonfires on the Camp Bahamas beach.
Whew! As you can see it has been a busy busy time here, but SO much has been accomplished and we have met SO many amazing people who sacrificed their spring break to come serve with Camp.
Along with all that has been accomplished by the teams, work continues to be done in preparation for the main building. Two weeks ago the building itself was delivered to the Camp Bahamas Property. As soon as the work on the concrete foundation is finished the building will begin to go up. Exciting!
Keep checking the Camp Bahamas Ministries Facebook Page for updates!
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
beginnings of 2011
After a couple months, I'm reentering the world of blogging with hopes of doing a bit better than I did in 2010...but no promises :)
I got to see many of you during the month I spent at home in Iowa. During my time in the states I made my way to Texas, Tennessee, Georgia, and of course, Iowa. My time at home was fantastic which made leaving a little bitter sweet. I got to see many friends and family. It was a refreshing time of relaxing and reclaiming my high school job as a lifeguard for a month. At the end of my time in the States I was able to travel to Atlanta to attend the Passion Conference. About 12 counselors from Camp Bahamas met there and had a wonderful time getting to spend time together outside of the Bahamas. The conference was amazing and if you missed it you should consider their next one in April in Ft. Worth, Texas.
After 30ish hours in a car I hopped on a plane and headed back to the Bahamas. When I arrived there was a team here from Pennsylvania. I only got to spend two days with them, but wish it could have been more. They were great! The leaders of this trip have been coming for the past four years and continue to be a huge blessing to Camp Bahamas. One of the leaders, Rod Straw, owns his own construction company and is a very gifted builder and he actually stayed all of January to help with construction at camp.
Having Rod here was a GIGANTIC blessing. So much was accomplished and it is so great to see things at camp moving along. While Rod was here we pretty much worked from sun up to sun down. For those that know me well that 6:30 wake up call six days a week was a challenge :) But like I said, SO much was accomplished.
Here's a list of the awesome things happening at the camp property:
-Camp road widened to two lanes
-Land cleared for the new main building (a gymnatorium)
-Water storage tanks finished
-All bathroom fixtres installed in all 6 cabins
-Foundations for the next 4 cabins finished
-Bunk beds (3 high!) built for all 6 cabins
-Bathroom fixtures installed
-Bathroom shelving built, painted and installed
-Dining room benches built
-Shed to house the Reverse Osmosis plant built
-Electricity poles installed
-Well dug
-Air conditioners for cabins installed
Whew! As you can see things are moving right along, and that's super exciting for us! For pictures check out the Camp Bahamas Ministries Facebook Page
I got to see many of you during the month I spent at home in Iowa. During my time in the states I made my way to Texas, Tennessee, Georgia, and of course, Iowa. My time at home was fantastic which made leaving a little bitter sweet. I got to see many friends and family. It was a refreshing time of relaxing and reclaiming my high school job as a lifeguard for a month. At the end of my time in the States I was able to travel to Atlanta to attend the Passion Conference. About 12 counselors from Camp Bahamas met there and had a wonderful time getting to spend time together outside of the Bahamas. The conference was amazing and if you missed it you should consider their next one in April in Ft. Worth, Texas.
After 30ish hours in a car I hopped on a plane and headed back to the Bahamas. When I arrived there was a team here from Pennsylvania. I only got to spend two days with them, but wish it could have been more. They were great! The leaders of this trip have been coming for the past four years and continue to be a huge blessing to Camp Bahamas. One of the leaders, Rod Straw, owns his own construction company and is a very gifted builder and he actually stayed all of January to help with construction at camp.
Having Rod here was a GIGANTIC blessing. So much was accomplished and it is so great to see things at camp moving along. While Rod was here we pretty much worked from sun up to sun down. For those that know me well that 6:30 wake up call six days a week was a challenge :) But like I said, SO much was accomplished.
Here's a list of the awesome things happening at the camp property:
-Camp road widened to two lanes
-Land cleared for the new main building (a gymnatorium)
-Water storage tanks finished
-All bathroom fixtres installed in all 6 cabins
-Foundations for the next 4 cabins finished
-Bunk beds (3 high!) built for all 6 cabins
-Bathroom fixtures installed
-Bathroom shelving built, painted and installed
-Dining room benches built
-Shed to house the Reverse Osmosis plant built
-Electricity poles installed
-Well dug
-Air conditioners for cabins installed
Whew! As you can see things are moving right along, and that's super exciting for us! For pictures check out the Camp Bahamas Ministries Facebook Page
Monday, November 22, 2010
In Transit...
As I write this I'm a mile high in the air somewhere between Atlanta and Kansas City International Airport. Praise the Lord for free in-flight Wi-Fi. :]
This post is a tad overdue, but what's new or surprising about that?
On November 5th we welcomed our last team of the year from the New Jersey Homeschool Association. They were an absolutely fantastic group who I found myself missing after they left. They worked hard to finish grouting the tiling in the bathrooms of the cabins, mixing concrete and pouring concrete slabs among other things.
As I mentioned I am currently on my way home for the holiday season. I left the Bahamas on November 16th and after a week pit-stop in Texas I'm almost back to the freezing temperatures of home. I am excited to spend some time with family and friends, and I am hoping to get to see many of you! I will be in Iowa until December 30th and will be back in the Bahamas on January 5th where we will start the year off with several mission teams.
This post is a tad overdue, but what's new or surprising about that?
On November 5th we welcomed our last team of the year from the New Jersey Homeschool Association. They were an absolutely fantastic group who I found myself missing after they left. They worked hard to finish grouting the tiling in the bathrooms of the cabins, mixing concrete and pouring concrete slabs among other things.
As I mentioned I am currently on my way home for the holiday season. I left the Bahamas on November 16th and after a week pit-stop in Texas I'm almost back to the freezing temperatures of home. I am excited to spend some time with family and friends, and I am hoping to get to see many of you! I will be in Iowa until December 30th and will be back in the Bahamas on January 5th where we will start the year off with several mission teams.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Updates, Musings, and an Overabundance of Links
I continue to prove my own statement that I'm a horrible blogger. So over a month after my last post I will update those who have perserved through the lack of updates. :]
Since my last post we have left Nassau -- on September 23rd to be exact -- and spent some time on Spanish Wells, another island that some of our campers live on. After that we settled back into life on Eleuthera continuing office work and preparing for our next mission team.
On October 12th we welcomed a team of 5 from Auke Bay Bible Church in Juneau, Alaska. They were a fantastic team that worked like 20 people instead of 5. While they were here they finished prepping the two freshwater tanks for a concrete pour, set forms for the concrete slabs the cabin air conditioners along with a number of smaller projects. They also brought several bags of hooded sweatshirts, jackets, and baseball caps that they distrubuted in several of the poorer communities here. They were here for almost two weeks and will be missed!
Things are moving right along on the camp property. The two freshwater tanks are expected to be done this week, post holes are being dug for the next set of cabins, air conditioners are being installed, and thanks to a substantial donation Richard was able to completely pay for electricity to be brought out to the property and the digging for the poles will being within the next week. It is really great to be able to see so much progress happening!
If you would like to see some of the happenings from this summer at Camp Bahamas check out Camp Bahamas Ministries YouTube page
It is crazy to think that in a month I will be back in Iowa. I'm looking forward to seeing family and friends, but not looking forward to the temperature shock I'm sure I will be experiencing. I know I've become a little bit spoiled when I feel chilly when the temperature drops below 80.
This week while sitting outside of a local restaurant/bar with a friend waiting for our 6 orders of french fries--it happens when you live with 5 kids :]-- I was reminded of why I'm here and the burden God has given me for the people here. A local homeless man, some fishermen who so graciously informed us that they had been drinking all day and after eating their burgers were going to go smoke a few joints, mothers waiting on food to take home to their children, teenagers and kids with nothing better to do than to try and be just like the older boys who were smoking weed on the other side of the building. There is much hurt, much confusion, much wanting and not a lot of truth or pursuit of truth. I'm reminded that these are beautiful people in a beautiful place that are in desperate need of a beautiful love.
Constant - Charlie Hall
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. - 1 Corinthians 15:58
If you find yourself with some time (even if you don't have time...make some)
Radical by David Platt
Since my last post we have left Nassau -- on September 23rd to be exact -- and spent some time on Spanish Wells, another island that some of our campers live on. After that we settled back into life on Eleuthera continuing office work and preparing for our next mission team.
On October 12th we welcomed a team of 5 from Auke Bay Bible Church in Juneau, Alaska. They were a fantastic team that worked like 20 people instead of 5. While they were here they finished prepping the two freshwater tanks for a concrete pour, set forms for the concrete slabs the cabin air conditioners along with a number of smaller projects. They also brought several bags of hooded sweatshirts, jackets, and baseball caps that they distrubuted in several of the poorer communities here. They were here for almost two weeks and will be missed!
Things are moving right along on the camp property. The two freshwater tanks are expected to be done this week, post holes are being dug for the next set of cabins, air conditioners are being installed, and thanks to a substantial donation Richard was able to completely pay for electricity to be brought out to the property and the digging for the poles will being within the next week. It is really great to be able to see so much progress happening!
If you would like to see some of the happenings from this summer at Camp Bahamas check out Camp Bahamas Ministries YouTube page
It is crazy to think that in a month I will be back in Iowa. I'm looking forward to seeing family and friends, but not looking forward to the temperature shock I'm sure I will be experiencing. I know I've become a little bit spoiled when I feel chilly when the temperature drops below 80.
This week while sitting outside of a local restaurant/bar with a friend waiting for our 6 orders of french fries--it happens when you live with 5 kids :]-- I was reminded of why I'm here and the burden God has given me for the people here. A local homeless man, some fishermen who so graciously informed us that they had been drinking all day and after eating their burgers were going to go smoke a few joints, mothers waiting on food to take home to their children, teenagers and kids with nothing better to do than to try and be just like the older boys who were smoking weed on the other side of the building. There is much hurt, much confusion, much wanting and not a lot of truth or pursuit of truth. I'm reminded that these are beautiful people in a beautiful place that are in desperate need of a beautiful love.
Constant - Charlie Hall
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. - 1 Corinthians 15:58
If you find yourself with some time (even if you don't have time...make some)
Radical by David Platt
Saturday, September 11, 2010
A Bit Overdue...
It's official.
I am a horrible blogger.
It's been about two months since I lasted posted about my time in the Bahamas. In my defense it doesn't feel like it's been that long. The fast pace and busyness that consumed my summer made it easy for a week to feel like a day and on some of the more tired days, a day to feel like a week. So I suppose it's time to update those interested on life here in the Bahamas.
During the month of July and the first week in August was camp. Five crazy, tiring, and fun-fiilled weeks of camp. The theme this year was Red@Night. In Matthew 16 the Pharisees ask Jesus for a sign from heaven. Jesus replies with what has become a common saying (at least for those not landlocked and surrounded by corn :] ) "Red at night, sailor's delight. Red in the morning, sailor's take warning." We discussed how we do not need a sign from God about how to live upright and Godly lives, His word contains all we need. We discussed spiritual adultery and what it means to "cheat on God with the world".
Camp was an overall fantastic success. We were blessed with a phenomenal staff and tremendous campers. With many former campers returning as junior staff members I had the opportunity to disciple them by leading a Bible study two times a week. During the day I worked at the zip line, harnessing kids in and trying to convince them they weren't going to plunge to their death.
The day after camp ended we welcomed a mission team from Fellowship Orlando in Florida. The spent the week working on water storage containers and painting cabins (as you can see from the picture). We also spent the week packing up our things and cleaning the hotel we currently rent out for camp. The day the team left we moved out of the hotel and back to where we stayed during June. The next day saw us welcoming another team from Grace Community Church in Nassau. This team continued painting cabins and began tiling in the bathrooms of the cabins.
About five days after the last team left we made our way over to Nassau. My time in Nassau has been a relaxing one and has offered a much needed break after the hectic summer. I've had the opportunity to spend time with my aunt and uncle, spent time with friends, visited youth groups, visited an orphange and even met Sean Connery. :]
Yesterday I began work on the expense report for the summer, and will continue working on that for the next few days.
In a week or so we will head back to Eleuthera and begin work on the office type work that will help prepare us for next summer. In October we will be hosting another team as well as one in November.
I apologize for my lack of blogging skills, but hopefully this will give you a bit of an idea of what that last two months have looked like for me. If you have any questions feel free to email me!
I am a horrible blogger.
It's been about two months since I lasted posted about my time in the Bahamas. In my defense it doesn't feel like it's been that long. The fast pace and busyness that consumed my summer made it easy for a week to feel like a day and on some of the more tired days, a day to feel like a week. So I suppose it's time to update those interested on life here in the Bahamas.
During the month of July and the first week in August was camp. Five crazy, tiring, and fun-fiilled weeks of camp. The theme this year was Red@Night. In Matthew 16 the Pharisees ask Jesus for a sign from heaven. Jesus replies with what has become a common saying (at least for those not landlocked and surrounded by corn :] ) "Red at night, sailor's delight. Red in the morning, sailor's take warning." We discussed how we do not need a sign from God about how to live upright and Godly lives, His word contains all we need. We discussed spiritual adultery and what it means to "cheat on God with the world".
Camp was an overall fantastic success. We were blessed with a phenomenal staff and tremendous campers. With many former campers returning as junior staff members I had the opportunity to disciple them by leading a Bible study two times a week. During the day I worked at the zip line, harnessing kids in and trying to convince them they weren't going to plunge to their death.
The day after camp ended we welcomed a mission team from Fellowship Orlando in Florida. The spent the week working on water storage containers and painting cabins (as you can see from the picture). We also spent the week packing up our things and cleaning the hotel we currently rent out for camp. The day the team left we moved out of the hotel and back to where we stayed during June. The next day saw us welcoming another team from Grace Community Church in Nassau. This team continued painting cabins and began tiling in the bathrooms of the cabins.
About five days after the last team left we made our way over to Nassau. My time in Nassau has been a relaxing one and has offered a much needed break after the hectic summer. I've had the opportunity to spend time with my aunt and uncle, spent time with friends, visited youth groups, visited an orphange and even met Sean Connery. :]
Yesterday I began work on the expense report for the summer, and will continue working on that for the next few days.
In a week or so we will head back to Eleuthera and begin work on the office type work that will help prepare us for next summer. In October we will be hosting another team as well as one in November.
I apologize for my lack of blogging skills, but hopefully this will give you a bit of an idea of what that last two months have looked like for me. If you have any questions feel free to email me!
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Tomorrow!...errr Today!
Since it is no longer Saturday that means the first week of Camp Bahamas 2010 starts today! We are expecting a week of 90 campers. We will have a group of kids from Long Island, Bahamas, but most of the students will be from the orphanages in Nassau. It will be a crazy and even difficult first week, but I am SO excited for it to start.
This past week we have had two mission teams in. We made the move to the hotel where we host camp, and started prepping for camp.
I spent the majority of this past week in the kitchen. I am becoming a pro at feeding 50+ people :)The the majority of our counselors and jr. counselors also came in this week. God has certainly blessed us with an outstanding group of people and I'm excited to see what God has in store for us this summer!
Prayer requests:
- the first week of campers
- the staff...most of them are here for the first time so this first week will be a lot of firsts for them
- all of your equipment...sound equipment, vehicles, boats, etc
- safety
This past week we have had two mission teams in. We made the move to the hotel where we host camp, and started prepping for camp.
I spent the majority of this past week in the kitchen. I am becoming a pro at feeding 50+ people :)The the majority of our counselors and jr. counselors also came in this week. God has certainly blessed us with an outstanding group of people and I'm excited to see what God has in store for us this summer!
Prayer requests:
- the first week of campers
- the staff...most of them are here for the first time so this first week will be a lot of firsts for them
- all of your equipment...sound equipment, vehicles, boats, etc
- safety
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
right around the corner...
Camp is quickly approaching, and I know I'm continually saying this, but it is hard to believe that it is so close. We had two more staff members come already this week and starting Thursday we have at least two staff members coming every day until camp. The arrival of staff is always an exciting time. Things for camp start getting done and it means camp is right around the corner. On Saturday we make the move to the hotel where we will be having camp and where we will be until August 15ish.
Tomorrow afternoon another mission team arrives. It is a team of 30 from North Carolina that we are definitely excited about and then on Saturday we get another team of 18 from Virginia Beach. They will be continuing work on the camp property.
This past week we have continued work on the property and continued camp prep. On Thusday, Andrea, the Camp Director's wife and I went to Nassau to attend the high school graduation of about 10 of our campers. It was a quick trip, as we left the next day, but we were really glad we went. All of the campers were very appreciative and happy that we were there. Most of them will be Team Leaders and Junior Counselors this year so we will see them again soon. We also had the mastermind behind our zipline down this week for some upgrading and maintenance of the zip line. He made several improvements that are greatly appreciated and much needed.
I am really looking forward to camp and can't wait for it to get here. It has been so interesting helping plan everything, so I'm excited to see it all put into action.
Please pray:
- for our new staff arriving
- for the planning that is left to be done
- for both of the mission teams coming in this week
- and as always, for the campers that will be at Camp Bahamas this summer
Tomorrow afternoon another mission team arrives. It is a team of 30 from North Carolina that we are definitely excited about and then on Saturday we get another team of 18 from Virginia Beach. They will be continuing work on the camp property.
This past week we have continued work on the property and continued camp prep. On Thusday, Andrea, the Camp Director's wife and I went to Nassau to attend the high school graduation of about 10 of our campers. It was a quick trip, as we left the next day, but we were really glad we went. All of the campers were very appreciative and happy that we were there. Most of them will be Team Leaders and Junior Counselors this year so we will see them again soon. We also had the mastermind behind our zipline down this week for some upgrading and maintenance of the zip line. He made several improvements that are greatly appreciated and much needed.
I am really looking forward to camp and can't wait for it to get here. It has been so interesting helping plan everything, so I'm excited to see it all put into action.
Please pray:
- for our new staff arriving
- for the planning that is left to be done
- for both of the mission teams coming in this week
- and as always, for the campers that will be at Camp Bahamas this summer
Saturday, June 12, 2010
On Monday we sent the team from Master's Academy off and started our week without a team. The 3 on 3 tournament went well with 4 Bahamian teams participating and 4 teams from the Master's Academy. Before the championship game a few of the students from the team shared their testimony. It was a fun night and they were a great team that we will miss.
This week we have had a little bit of a break, as we haven't had a team, but camp prep has gone into full swing. We took a day off on Tuesday and visited a coffee shop in another settlement where by my own doing/will swam with 12-15 sharks near the dock in front of the coffee shop. I questioned my sanity a few times, but I'm here typing this so all is well :)
Aside from the shark encounter...I have spent the week creating budget and expense reports (never thought I'd say this but...thank you Principles of Marketing), logging staff arrivals and departures, and re-doing the staff manual among other things. Some of the other staff members have been out at the property all week doing work that needs to be done and preping the property so the next mission team can get right to work.
We have two counselors coming in on Monday and on Thursday I will be heading to Nassau to watch some campers graduate from high school on Friday morning.
It's hard to believe that camp is right around the corner when it feels like there is so much left to do, but it will be here before we know it ready or not!
Prayer requests:
- camp...incoming staff, campers, day to day operations
- camp preparation
- that I and the rest of the staff would be constantly seeking God and His glory
This week we have had a little bit of a break, as we haven't had a team, but camp prep has gone into full swing. We took a day off on Tuesday and visited a coffee shop in another settlement where by my own doing/will swam with 12-15 sharks near the dock in front of the coffee shop. I questioned my sanity a few times, but I'm here typing this so all is well :)
Aside from the shark encounter...I have spent the week creating budget and expense reports (never thought I'd say this but...thank you Principles of Marketing), logging staff arrivals and departures, and re-doing the staff manual among other things. Some of the other staff members have been out at the property all week doing work that needs to be done and preping the property so the next mission team can get right to work.
We have two counselors coming in on Monday and on Thursday I will be heading to Nassau to watch some campers graduate from high school on Friday morning.
It's hard to believe that camp is right around the corner when it feels like there is so much left to do, but it will be here before we know it ready or not!
Prayer requests:
- camp...incoming staff, campers, day to day operations
- camp preparation
- that I and the rest of the staff would be constantly seeking God and His glory
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
And so it begins...
For those still on the edge of your seat...I made it safely to the Bahamas. I arrived in Nassau on May 26, took the ferry to Spanish Wells on the 27th, and remained in Spanish Wells with the Albury family until Saturday when we made the move to Tarpum Bay, Eleuthera where we will be staying for the rest of the summer.
On Monday we welcomed our first mission team of the summer. A team of 19 highschool aged guys and girls from the Master's Academy in Orlando, FL. They have been painting one of our new buses and working on the property. Along with that in the afternoons they have been doing basketball clinics for the youth in the community. At night they have played basketball games against the local guys and girls their age. On Friday they will host a 3 on 3 tournament for the island.
So far, my summer has started out just as the last two have. It is crazy to think that when August comes I won't be hoping on a plane that takes me back to fast food, my cell phone, and temperatures below 90. But it is a good feeling. Even in my times of doubt God is patient with me and reveals to me over and over again why He has me here.
We are getting ready to throw the camp prep into high gear; putting the last things together as camp quickly approaches. It is an exciting time and a time of anticipation for camp.
Please pray:
- for the mission team that is here now and the others that will be coming
- for the CB staff
- for camp that is quickly approaching
On Monday we welcomed our first mission team of the summer. A team of 19 highschool aged guys and girls from the Master's Academy in Orlando, FL. They have been painting one of our new buses and working on the property. Along with that in the afternoons they have been doing basketball clinics for the youth in the community. At night they have played basketball games against the local guys and girls their age. On Friday they will host a 3 on 3 tournament for the island.
So far, my summer has started out just as the last two have. It is crazy to think that when August comes I won't be hoping on a plane that takes me back to fast food, my cell phone, and temperatures below 90. But it is a good feeling. Even in my times of doubt God is patient with me and reveals to me over and over again why He has me here.
We are getting ready to throw the camp prep into high gear; putting the last things together as camp quickly approaches. It is an exciting time and a time of anticipation for camp.
Please pray:
- for the mission team that is here now and the others that will be coming
- for the CB staff
- for camp that is quickly approaching
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
One Month...
In less than a month I will be heading back to the Bahamas to join the Camp Bahamas Ministries Staff as a full-time staff member. It has been amazing to see God lead me to this point and to this decision. What seemingly should have been one of the harder decisions I've made was made virtually effortlessly thanks to God's perfect guidance.
This journey that I'm beginning is one that has already tested my faith in countless ways. I have been reminded over and over again that the one who doubts is like the wave tossed back and forth by the wind...unstable. (James 1:6-8) I'm grateful for God's paitence with me as I am learning these lessons of faith every day.
I will leave May 26 and return to Iowa on November 22 to spend the holidays with my family before heading back down in January. Once I leave I will do my best to update this blog weekly, but no promises. :)
I'm not sure I can put into words just how excited I am to join the Camp Bahamas staff and their efforts to serve the youth of the Bahamas by showing them the love of Christ. So it is with a humble heart and much excitement that I begin this journey. I appreciate any and all prayers, because it is clear that I cannot do this alone. Thank you for your support! I am eager to see what God has in store!
This journey that I'm beginning is one that has already tested my faith in countless ways. I have been reminded over and over again that the one who doubts is like the wave tossed back and forth by the wind...unstable. (James 1:6-8) I'm grateful for God's paitence with me as I am learning these lessons of faith every day.
I will leave May 26 and return to Iowa on November 22 to spend the holidays with my family before heading back down in January. Once I leave I will do my best to update this blog weekly, but no promises. :)
I'm not sure I can put into words just how excited I am to join the Camp Bahamas staff and their efforts to serve the youth of the Bahamas by showing them the love of Christ. So it is with a humble heart and much excitement that I begin this journey. I appreciate any and all prayers, because it is clear that I cannot do this alone. Thank you for your support! I am eager to see what God has in store!
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Total Immersion
*Although this is a week late due to island-wide internet problems, here is the entry from last week followed by the one from this week.
Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourself. Do what it says. ~ James 1:22
If I wasn’t reciting this verse in devotions with my campers I was singing it during praise and worship. This year’s camp theme is Immersion, and with James 1:22 as our theme verse we are asking our campers just what they are immersing their lives in.
This past week marked the first week of Camp Bahamas 2009. We had 60 some Bahamian teenagers start off camp for us. It was an exciting week as we introduced the new zip line, among other things. I am in charge of snorkeling for the summer, so even though I don’t have a phone or hot water, don’t feel too bad for me…my job requires that I snorkel for two hours every day. :)
Right now our staff is gearing up for Sunday when our new group of 93 campers arrives. This is the most campers Camp Bahamas has ever had in one week, so we are all very excited and anticipating what God has in store for next week.
And…Week Two:
I have been anticipating this week all summer long. Four of the girls that I stayed close with throughout the year came back this week. And after being hugged with such force it might as well be called a tackle, I was so blessed to be able to see God work in their lives for the second year in a row. God is doing big things in their lives and in the lives of so many of our other campers as well.
As I mentioned this week we had a record setting 93 campers. Wow! It was a really exciting week and a week filled with many trips to the local clinic. What has been affectionately named the “Camp Bahamas Plague” swept camp last week. Every single one of the 9 girls in my room and my co-counselor and I had it by the end of the week. It is so hard to see kids who want to be at camp be stuck in bed all week long. But God taught some important lessons through all of it. One of my campers who was sick and in bed all week long told me that she had been waiting all year for camp and was counting on it to get her back on track and excited about the Lord again, but then she got here and couldn’t do anything because she was so sick. She said that she learned that the only thing we can rely on is God, and she can’t rely on other things to fuel her passion. So as hard as it was to see so many of the kids sick, I know that God still worked in their big ways.
This week was fast paced and exciting, and it’s hard to believe that we only have three weeks left of camp. But another group of 60 some teenagers will come bursting through our doors tomorrow so we are excited to see what this new week has in store for us all.
Here is a link for the video that shows you a little bit of what my summer is like. There is a section with camp and a section with the mission teams. Hopefully this will give you a little bit better idea about what I do all summer long.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/video/video.php?v=74628965535
Prayer Requests:
- Camp next week and the 93 campers that are coming.
- Safety
- Health
- Focus
- That everything would stay up and running. We need our vehicles, boats, jet skis, and sound system to run camp and when they break we aren’t left with a lot of options.
- That God would bless Camp Bahamas financially.
Monday, June 22, 2009
The Wise Man Chiseled Into Limestone Not Sand Rock…
As we worked on the camp property this week, three of us took on the task of landscaping around the newly constructed zip line. We decided that a gravel path outlined in BIG rocks would look really good. So we spent a good chunk of the morning moving these 100+ pound rocks into a truck, out of a truck, and rolling them into their spot on the path. After we had finished we thought we would continue using our creativity by chiseling different things into the huge rocks we had put along the path. We began our task and soon discovered that most of the rocks we had chosen were rocks made of hardened sand and as soon as we began chiseling big chunks would break off and ruin the design we had started. We continued to chisel and I even almost completed a cross but with the last hit of the hammer against the chisel a huge chunk flew off leaving me with nothing more than a big dent in a very big rock.As we stood looking at our attempts at creativity I was reminded of Matthew 7 when Jesus talks about the wise and foolish men. Jesus says that the wise man builds his house upon the rock where the foundation is sturdy, but the foolish man builds his house upon the sand where the foundation can be washed away. The rocks that we put onto that path were heavy and most could only be rolled and not lifted, but yet when we began to chisel into them we found that underneath there was only sand. Judging by their outward appearance they were indestructible, but that was not the case beneath the surface.
It doesn’t matter what our actions are on the outside if we are not truly rooted and grounded in our faith and in the Word our foundation is shaky. If we know the good we are supposed to do and don’t do it we are foolish and live our lives on shaky foundations.
This is just one of the many things God has been teaching me since I’ve been in the Bahamas. These are lessons that I’m praying will help me as I attempt to invest of the lives of hundreds of Bahamian teenagers in just two short weeks.
This Week…
Without a team this week we’ve had the opportunity to do a variety of things that wouldn’t have gotten done with a team here. On Wednesday and Thursday we traveled up and down the island of Eleuthera promoting camp by hanging posters in windows, handing out fliers, and talking to people we saw on the street. We spent some time finishing up some things at the camp property as well as putting some finishing touches on the zip line and the paintball field before camp starts. It has been a good week to rest and prepare for camp which is fast approaching.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
ZIIIPPP!
What a week! The team of 50 from an Orlando Youth Group left this morning at 6:45 and we will most definitely miss them. They were a great group that got a lot done on the camp property. While they were here they did the electric and plumbing in all six cabins along with other interior work. They also constructed covers for the cest pits, platforms for the water heaters, and a foundation for the building that will contain the generator. They got many things done that puts us A LOT closer to finally having camp on the camp property. Along with the work they did on the camp property they also did some community outreach in the form of a carnival. Last night they had a carnival at the local park with games, music, prizes and a three-on-three basketball tournament. It was a really great opportunity for them to get involved in the community and good publicity for Camp Bahamas.
Along with the cabin construction the two line zip line was completed on Thursday! Eight of us rode it on Thursday, and I can say from personal experience that it is AWESOME! I think the campers will really enjoy it, if they can work up the courage to go down it. J It is 300 feet long and stretches from one hill to another on the property, reaching a height of about 40 feet. We are all really excited about it!
We won’t have another team until next week so this week will be a week of resting and more work on the property. It is hard to believe that it is already June 13th and that camp is only three weeks away!
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
I'm allergic to what?!
When I was getting ready to leave for the Bahamas I was excited that I wouldn't have to deal with my allergies anymore. Well apparently the dust, mold, cottonwood and pollen of the midwest aren't the only things I'm allergic to. After indulging at least 3 mangoes a day for the first 4 days I was here my face broke out in an itchy rash and blisters. After a diagnosis from my pre-med friend and much Google searching my allergy was confirmed. But hey...it wouldn't be a trip to the Bahamas if I wasn't extremely itchy at some point. :)
Our first mission team arrives on Saturday. We, the full time staff, have been the first mission team. We have been getting things ready for the first mission team to arrive and installing a zip line at the camp property.
This week will be a challenging one, but a very productive week in camp construction and we are all very excited.
Pray for:
Paitence
Safety
Healing of my allergic reaction
For God to use the mission team to reach the community here
Our first mission team arrives on Saturday. We, the full time staff, have been the first mission team. We have been getting things ready for the first mission team to arrive and installing a zip line at the camp property.
This week will be a challenging one, but a very productive week in camp construction and we are all very excited.
Pray for:
Paitence
Safety
Healing of my allergic reaction
For God to use the mission team to reach the community here
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
I began my day in "Home Alone" fashion. Being wakened by a telephone call rather than the alarm clock that I had intended to hear a hour before. So after much rushing of showering, packing, and goodbyes we sped to the airport making it to Kansas City in record time. And thus began my day of travel.
Needless to say I made it safely to Nassau where I'm staying with my aunt and uncle until I take the ferry to Eleuthera tomorrow morning. I got to meet with 6 of my campers and friends this evening. It was such a blessing to see them and to just get to hang out with them. I have missed them all so much. I don't think I stopped smiling the entire time.
After tonight who knows what the internet situation will be like, but I just wanted to confirm a safe arrival.
Thanks for all your prayers!
Needless to say I made it safely to Nassau where I'm staying with my aunt and uncle until I take the ferry to Eleuthera tomorrow morning. I got to meet with 6 of my campers and friends this evening. It was such a blessing to see them and to just get to hang out with them. I have missed them all so much. I don't think I stopped smiling the entire time.
After tonight who knows what the internet situation will be like, but I just wanted to confirm a safe arrival.
Thanks for all your prayers!
Sunday, May 24, 2009
I'm Off
Well my flight leaves bright and early Tuesday morning. 6:00am from Kansas City. I will arrive in Nassau around 3:00pm where I will be meeting another counselor at the airport. We will stay the night in Nassau before heading over to Eleuthera on the ferry the next morning. While we're in Nassau we will get a chance to meet up with some of our campers from last summer.
I'm very excited about this summer! I'm looking forward to continuing the relationships I formed last summer and to seeing what God has in store both for me and for Camp Bahamas.
I will try to blog every week, but the internet can be pretty unreliable on the island, so I won't make any promises.
Thanks for all your prayers and support!
I'm very excited about this summer! I'm looking forward to continuing the relationships I formed last summer and to seeing what God has in store both for me and for Camp Bahamas.
I will try to blog every week, but the internet can be pretty unreliable on the island, so I won't make any promises.
Thanks for all your prayers and support!
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