Tomorrow, we will have a convoy of vehicles heading up to Camp Del Oro to drop 16 of our young people off for the Music and Creative Arts Camp. Plus, Elbin will have the opportunity to volunteer as "camp staff" and Emily will be part of the Music Staff this year! We are blessed that our Divisional Music Director, Daniel, finds ways to build our young leaders.
Mike and Gwyn will return afterward so that they can be present for Sunday's worship service. And then, my husband will drive back to camp to help teach for the rest of the week. The kids and I, however, will remain until next Saturday. We will have our laptops with us, but the reception is not always the best. We will return messages when we can.
Keep all of the campers, staff, and volunteers for the week in prayer. Not only will they be long, fun-filled, and instruction-and-program-packed days, but they will be super hot! Pray that we will be well and that we will all have a good time.
We look forward to seeing "our" summer camp staffers too - Aaron, Kaylynn, Morgan, Jen (from England), and Logan (extended Concord Corps family). This is halfway through the summer for them. It is not easy working at camp and they could use prayer as they work with the youth from across the division and their peers.
While at camp, we will be observing the Fourth of July, Independence Day. It's always a festive occasion. The campers decorate their counselors with decorated boxes, streamers, and whatever they kind find. The counselors then walk in the camp parade like they are the "floats". The campers stand along the edges of the path cheering. The staff band usually leads the parade playing patriotic tunes. The celebration parade ends at the lake.
As our country celebrates its freedoms, remember that ultimately, we are only free in Christ: "But the Scriptures declare that we are all prisoners of sin, so we receive God’s promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus Christ." Galatians 3:22, NLT
"So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law." Galatians 5:1, NLT
Included in the regular newsletter is a powerful video of Micah Tyler's song, Walking Free. It contains testimonies of men and families whose lives have been changed through the power of God. We are blessed that in the ministry of The Salvation Army, we see similar testimonies of men and women every day. Let's pray for all of the Christian programs that are trying to reach those who are lost and still by bound by sin's chains. Together, we can make a difference for the Lord and build His Kingdom.
One of those ways is through Vacation Bible School. We still have the capacity for more children! So if you know of any neighbors, friends, or family that would like something for their children to do during the week of July 17-21, let them know to sign up for a FREE week of fun - games, Bible lessons, crafts, music/drama instruction, and lunch!
See you when we get back!