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My First Camps in Croatia…

Written by Dan Nelson

Friday, 10 August 2007

Rocket Propelled By Living Water

Through Bible stories, skits, sports activities, messages, water rockets, and one-on-one time with the campers, we had ample opportunities to see the camp theme of Living Water applied to our lives - both leaders and campers. In every instance we strove to show how the Holy Spirit is the Living Water promised by Jesus to the woman at the well. It was a great time of growth and fun for all.

For me there are many thoughts related to these first couple camps. One is my experience as the lead canoe instructor. It was a lot of fun to share my love of canoeing with the campers. After a time of paddling instruction each day, I took a new batch of campers out onto the river. During the first camp we surfed. We tied one canoe to another and one camper stood on the pontoons of the back canoe while the other campers paddled in the front canoe. The goal was to make the standing camper fall in.

Posing For a Photo

It was an instant hit. In the second camp, we played a lot of tag. One boat was "it", and the others ran away. At the end we had a free time to paddle or swim and in every case, the campers wanted to take the canoes out and dive in from them. Both groups loved the canoeing/swimming time. Canoeing was also an opportunity to reinforce the topic of the day. For example, during the second camp, on the day we were talking about thirsting for God, we used some of the time to talk about how thirsty we get even on the water and how nice it would be to quench our thirst. Do we thirst for more of Jesus in our lives or have we neglected to develop our thirst for God through his word, prayer, and church?

Cedevita!

Our different activities were also a big hit. They were an opportunity to have a lot of fun as a camp and to get to know one another as well. One activity that we did in both camps was the Cedevita game. You take a vitamin tablet like an Alka Seltzer, and put it on your forehead, then your partner (friend or foe) steps back with a super soaker and tries to dissolve the tablet from your head before any of the other teams finish theirs. Most of the volunteers for this activity are selected by being late for a meal or activity. Or perhaps one of the partners felt a need to soak the other for various reasons and they were selected. What the teams did not know at the start of the activity was that round 2 switched the roles.

Attacked by Darth John

We also had a new skit each night. This was an opportunity for us to introduce the scripture verses for the following day. These skits were a lot of fun for everyone and also included quite a bit of add-libbing. During one skit we were mimicking the movie, "Princess Bride" and I was supposed to sample the poison but spit it out. Unfortunately, I didn’t look where I spit out the water and got one of our counselors. Luckily for her, her sister was also in the skit and added a swish and spit to her routine as well which allowed her to spit some water on me.

Our Devotions Group

During the second week, the camp was a junior high camp. I was leading a Bible study with some of the campers and really struggling to make a connection with them. But on the last day I decided to share a bit about how I was really hoping to get a Nintendo Wii and finally had to let that desire go. It was through that story that I was able to make better contact with the campers in my Bible study. It was a joy to see the connection start and I hope to be able to relate on a closer level with the campers next year. These camps were also an opportunity to see the MK’s grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ. On the first morning of both camps, as I woke up early and went out for devotions, the grounds were largely empty. But as the week wore on, more and more little groups of campers doing devotions started to appear. It was a joy for me to see that sprout up at each camp.

At the close of each week we offered a prayer chapel to the campers and an opportunity to reflect on the theme of the week and the daily messages which centered around that theme. During both camps, it was evident that God had been working in the camper's hearts as they prayed and shared with staff about their desire to be more firmly rooted in the Lord, to quench their thirst in him, to crave him above all else, to accept his offer of living water, and to reflect him more in their daily life. Another part of the MK camp that is very special is the way nearly every camper walks away letting us know that this camp is one of the few places where they are understood as third culture kids.

High School Devotions Group

What a joy to be a part of two weeks of camp and even more, to consider what impact the 45 campers who came to these camps could have on the world in just a few years as they begin to head of to college and into their adult life. If some aspect of camp moved even one camper closer to the Lord then the camp was worth it, and I am confident that many campers drew nearer to the Lord.

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No. 1 :

Amen!

Submitted by Simon • 2007-08-21 06:30:09

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