Summer Camp Week 1

This summer started big. Litterally. 28 campers, 13 counselors, 8 Jc's. Our numbers in previous years have been dismal, especially on the first camp of the summer. It was as if God opened the floodgates of heaven and rained Foster children down from heaven on us. We had enough kids on a waiting list for the first two sessions to fill a third 4-6th grade camp! Enough about numbers, because each one of those 28 campers has a name, face, life, personality and is just that a person. Due again to protection issues I can't post real names and pictures of campers, but I can tell you amazing stories of what God did in a few of those campers. One camper we had we'll call her Sherry, she had never heard about Christ or all that He had done for her. Her counselor was so excited to share with her about God's Love and how He loved her some much. She was amazed all week at the truth from the bible she was learning. There was a glow of joy and excitement about her all week because of it. It is amazing to think that a girl in Southern California can grow up and never hear the gospel. It's true, and she wasn't the first that we have ever run across. I think it's amazing that the Church in Southern California doesn't do more to reach kids in the system and kids in the poorer, drug ridden neighborhoods where hurting people are. The interesting thing about hurting people is they are just that, and they hurt others in the process, namely their kids alot of times. Those are the people that Jesus is reaching with or without the Christian Church. I am preaching instead of telling you all the amazing things that God did at camp the first week. Sorry. Back to the Glory of God.

Another example of God's amazing Grace at work at camp was a boy we'll call Tim. Tim comes from one of those neighborhoods we mentioned and his life even though he is only in 4th grade consists of fighting and crude jokes he learned from others where he lives. He had a hard time at camp, no joke. The Love of God hits hard and can freak kids out sometimes. He was one of those that got freaked out by it. I can tell you though, God's love is also like it says in the Bible, Kind. It is the kindness of God that leads us to repentance. Through the kindness of God Tim gave his heart to Jesus later on in the week. Tim went home at the end of that week to that neighborhood with Jesus in his heart!!

There is no way for me to tell all the amazing stories, because I didn't even see them all. In fact the week seemed like a blurr of people. This was the largest camp that we have ever done at Camp Alandale. We try to keep it small for a reason and this camp although amazing was too big. I know that sounds wierd, but again we keep it small for the campers sake, for the individualized attention sake, for supervision sake. The best thing about a big camp is we serve a big God who reached each and every heart, including ours that camp. Thank You Jesus for your amazing Love and work in our lives!

Summer Staff Training Week Reflections

I know this is coming a little late now that we are coming on Week 3 of the Summer, but I thought I would just let those of you who were praying know that our summer staff training was amazing. We bonded really well with our staff and there seemed to be a real spirit of unity. It was a lot of information for everyone to swallow and take in. That part of it we need to work on making better. It was amazing to hear everyones testimonies and how God brought them to camp for the summer. We even have one all the way from North Carolina. God is amazing and has shown us more of that balance of doing as much as we can and giving it all to Him. Ultimately there is always too much work, but we aren't trusting this summer to the hard work that we get to do, but to the God that never slumbers nor sleeps and is always keeping us in His arms. The first picture here is a picture of Jonathan and I mounting a cross behind our amphitheater. Also here is a picture of our Family at the Training week and a picture of our summer staff team. Please keep us all in your prayers as the Lord does His work in and through us at Camp Alandale.

Tired Energy

There is a moment in time when you know your past the point of exhaustion and heading toward the second wind. The only thing you wonder is how long can I go on. How long can I feel like no matter how much work I do, it never seems to get done. Thus is the plight of ministry. Ministry is just that. A monster that tries to eat you and your family alive. A monster that does it's best to roar so loud you can't hear the still small voice that you so desperately need. The thing that keeps us going is the thought of Billy the camper coming to know his savior. Christ in us, the hope of glory!!. Thank you to all of you who have prayed for us during this tumultuous time. Thank you for your work at work days and your voices to share the Love of Christ by speaking about what God is doing at Camp Alandale. Exciting things are happening. Out of 9 sessions 7 are completely full with waiting lists. Because of the response I can pretty confidently say that by the first day of Summer Camp our registrations will be full!!! thanks for your prayers for that and we are so blessed by all of you partnering with us...

In Two Short Weeks

In two short weeks counselors will be arriving for the very first camp of summer 2009. In two short weeks campers will be loading a bus bound for Camp Alandale. In two short weeks the months of preparation and training will traslate into action and lives changed. In two short weeks Charlie and Gracie will have to share mommy and daddy with 24 other kids. In two short weeks the new season will officially start. In two short weeks Christ will be glorified in the campers lives at Camp Alandale!

Thanks for all your prayers heading into this busy season. Please keep them up. We are really excited and tired. Pray for our children as we transition into the busiest season of our year. Pray Pray Pray.

The Reason I asked Why

Some of you may already know, but my previous post was because of the sad news and finalizing of Tony and Tina Massa Leaving Camp Alandale. They were the San Diego Directors, and had been with camp for 10 years full time and 14 years total counting the years they volunteered before that. Again everybody asks why, but seriously only God knows totally. There are lots of things that God is doing through it all. The saddest part is the fact that sometimes things happen so that God can show us He is God and that we submit to His will and what He wants. In Idyllwild at the OC Camp Alandale it has bonded us closer then we have been ever i think. Praise God for that. The ashes in San Diego are still smoldering and only God knows what the future will be for our San Diego ministry. The great part is that God is still God and he still wants to reach kids for Christ in OC and San Diego and the world! So we submit to God's leading and direction and plan even if it makes me ask the question why. I just need to remember who to direct it to!

The Question Why?

Recently there have been some events that have happened that have lead me to ask the question why. It is a great word. It begs and demands an answer that would seem to somehow bring some kind of resolution or justification. The only problem is the facing the special kind of why that has no resolution, justification or even common sense. The why that leaves Calvinists and Armenianists on common ground. The why that brings Baptists and Penecostals to a potluck of ideas together. The why that leaves us with only one place to go. The place of course that we should have gone long before our aching and worrying and sleepless nights seemed to take us. The place where peace and contentment leave us with the only question left to ask. Why didn't I go to God with this in the first place!

A new era of communication

Well we are taking the plunge. The head first bellyflop into the world of blog and facebook. It is no surprise that we would need to someday, but after so many encouragements and some friends that have gone before us we knew that this medium could be used as a powerful tool to keep us all connected. My hesitation was that if we took the plunge it seems like something else to add to my list to maintain. Then it dawned on me that a few minutes a week posting a picture and sharing some praise reports would be worth it. From what I understand though those few minutes will quickly become the goal to keep me from staying to long on it.

Thanks for your patience and prayers. Please let us know if this is something you want to keep in contact with us. Post more soon!