summer camps! FBC Augusta in TN
 
I had the privilege of spending part of my summer with a group of students from Augusta, GA. It was an incredible week. I have puzzled over exactly what to highlight from the week. It was so full of energy and unexpected twists. There was a strange virus that took over camp, then the moment in which i got punched in the face, the hot pink dorm room i slept in, the crazy games (one-base softball, 3 ball soccer, human fuse-ball, water balloon volley ball) and incredible worship band, fun sing dance party every morning, a talent show with some awe-inspiring seniors (not sure i will ever forget the beauty of the senior girls song and the ..... don’t really know how to describe the senior boys. but i know i won’t forget their act. in fact it haunts me...) Mail delivery system was slightly out of aim and dangerous, something about ketch-up and marshmallows, Augusta’s Best Dance Crew, a violin stick, winning a coffee mug (praise God for coffee). But above of all of this when i look back at that week it is the hearts of the leaders and the students that was most amazing to me. I am used to being at camps where leaders care about the kids and try to plan a great week. But it is not often that i am at a camp where the leaders have known the kids for so long and are involved in their lives on a regular basis outside of camps. (I fear that i am not explain this well.) There were leaders there who had been serving for so long that they had lead their own children in the youth group and now their kids were grown and serving along side of them. Some of the leaders had kids to old for youth group, but they wanted to serve. Some had kids to young and they left them at home so they could serve these children. I know these leaders loved these students well because you could see it in the faces of the youth! the students knew that they were loved and cared for. This knowledge of love and security created a humility and readiness in the students. The Students not only heard the words that were spoken during bible studies, and evening chapel but they RESPONDED! Here’s what mean.... There was a night the Lord laid a message on my heart that was so hard for me to delivery because i knew that it would be convicting to some of the students that part of it was an open rebuke. It broke my heart to speak it because i desire so much to speak encouragement and teach the love of God and the grace of God. Yet i couldn’t escape the words God put on my heart. When i was done i walked out of the chapel close to tears. (maybe that sounds strange to you, but for me it is hard to be the messenger when the message isn’t warm and fuzzy) I sat in the parking lot with my mentor and intern, while the student were in their encounter groups. I prayed for the word i had spoken to be heard and received. After encounter groups we gathered for the talent show. I wanted to hide, afraid that i had hurt the hearts of the students i had come to love. As i walked into the auditorium i was stopped by one of the students who thanked me for my obedience to what God had to say! he told me how it spoke to his heart and how he was ready to respond! I would have been blessed by just one student talking with me but it didn’t stop there. Before the nights activities even began handfuls of students talked with me some apologized when it was needed others made commitments to change where change was needed. It was incredible to see the response of these students. Please don’t think i am saying “look at me! I delivered a great message!” That isn’t it at all! I know these students have hearts that are well prepared to hear, receive, and respond to the word of God because the are loved so well by so many leaders and adults in their life on a day to day basis! They were prepared long before camp for what God wanted to say to them! They truly demonstrated to me a humble spirit and thirsty soul. Students and leaders of FBC, thank you for letting me be a part of your summer! keep pressing into Jesus! and remember when you feel like: “i made it and i like it” it may be time to flush the poop and let God appraise you! for you are of great value! and You God delights in YOU!
Monday, June 23, 2008
“... For such a time as this” Esther 4:14 a study in lifestyle evangelism