Youth Camp

Last Monday, I took 10 excited teenagers up near Mt. Baker for a Reformed Youth Ministries summer camp http://rymonline.org/. It was a beautiful drive on some back-country highways that reminded me how much I had missed the outdoors while living in London. Each day we had breakfast-morning assembly-class electives-Mega Rec (organized recreation)-FREE TIME!-dinner-evening assembly-small groups-FREE TIME! There were a variety of options for free time-two different hikes, swimming at a lake, a car tour, walking to nearby lakes and rivers, frisbee and other sports around the camp...or a nap, which would have been nice.

The conference theme was the Sovereignty of God and three classes were offered for both senior and junior high addressing specific questions that corresponded to that theme. i was asked to answer: "Why do the opinions of others matter so much to me?" for the junior high. I ended up having two groups each day, 20-25 kid in each. It is a heavy question but it was fun to get them engaged and instruct them in how the gospel makes a difference in tangible ways with relationships.

My group of kids mostly stuck together or with another, though there were a few who ventured further out relationally. I was proud of them in many ways as their leader. Most of the questions discussed in the classes and evening assembly they've already wrestled through with me in youth group. They are, as we all are, still wrestling with them, but they understand the framework. I also couldn't be in four places at once so it was freeing to know that they wouldn't do something foolish, or at least not before I would return! Risk was definitely involved in attempting to cross the freezing river, but that occurs with any adventure.

Thursday we went into Bellingham for an elaborate scavenger hunt-the quest for the granite gargoyle and golden cherub! The director of our camp and written up an entire story along with poetry and "deep parchments" instructing and giving clues to the campers. We didn't have the special effects and dire consequences of Indiana Jones, National Treasurer, or The Da Vinci Code and our prize was not humanity's salvation from imminent death or redemption from tampered history but free ice cream instead. Afterwards, some of my group went to some local thrift stores and found some stellar outfits, which gave me some thoughts for a future game...

After doing an 8 mile hike Friday afternoon, I quickly said goodbye to the kids, entrusted another leader to keep an eye on them, packed up, drove home, cleaned up and slept. I had a 5 hr exam starting at 8am and though I didn't have much time to study, I believe it went well. The kids told me they were up until 4am and had some fun stories to tell so I'd say camp finished well!

A week on the Rez

It had reached the mid-90s in Seattle Friday and I was on my way to south central Washington. Like any Seattlite who heads over the mts to an area which technically is a desert, I prepared myself for the heat with two things I rarely have around: sunscreen and sunglasses. I was on my way to Yakima with the youth from my church. When it passed 100 degrees Sunday we were glad to have a day to acclimate to the weather.

We also were getting oriented to a culture that is largely overlooked, its language almost forgotten, its way of life almost eradicated-the Yakima Indian culture. It is a marginalized people group, a community in need. Rather than traveling thousands of miles to engage with some exotic, well publicized country in crisis, we chose to go right in our backyard. I have friends living there who helped establish Sacred Road Ministries http://sacredroadministries.com/www They have intentionally slowed down, observed and planted roots in the community-sharing both their pains and their dreams. I have looked forward to joining them for several years so it was a joy to learn from them and work alongside them even for a short time

.

My group joined a group from Jackson, MS and a family from GA in doing work projects each morning followed by a kids club at two different sites in the afternoons. It was fun to hear the various Southern accents and work together. Being associated with the "church people" helped immensely in being accepted where we went since Sacred Road has a positive reputation in the community, not simply for doing good things but for having faithful, patient yet persistent hope and joy in loving others. It was a privilege to be part of that while reroofing and repainting 2 homes, playing with children, building a shed and deck, giving rides on our backs, telling stories, teaching crafts and sharing our hearts. It is amazing how powerful it can be to take an interest in someone's life, to hear their story and enter in.

Each of us had stories to tell of our week there and it can be hard to summarize. One quick one from me: i had just set down our box of crafts underneath a tree when I heard running steps just in front of me. A small boy lunged through the air toward me with a huge smile on his face as I caught him and swung him around and around. He was so eager to be noticed. He had an appetite for attention that was satiated for a brief moment in that hug. Others came wanting to be held, thrown high into the air, each saying "again, again!" It was a joy to give something so simple that was so treasured. All of us had similar moments where it was clear that we are blessed in order to be a blessing to others, giving and sharing stories within stories.

It was a challenging but affirming experience, as most memorable and meaningful experiences are.