Snake Bit and Bent Backwards

We had a great Preteen Camp at Zephyr this week.  The sponsors were great and the campers (kids) were exceptional this week.  God blessed us with a lot of rain, at just the right time so as not to dampen our spirits by limiting our activities.  We enjoyed fun and friendships every day.

The worship leaders and camp pastor passionately love Jesus and it was contagious.  They led us closer to the Lord and we were all so thankful for them and the way they praised God and proclaimed His word every time we were together.  They were available to the campers all during the week at meals and around the campus.  What a joy to watch our young people spend time with adults who are in love with God.

There were many in the group who made decisions, some for salvation, some for rededication, and some just taking a giant step closer to God.  As sponsors we were blessed to know that God was using every act of service on our part as a way of blessing so many young people.

The parents thanked us as a church and as sponsors for the blessing of camp for their children.  But we need to thank the parents for sending their wonderful children with us to camp, for it was our blessing to spend that time with them.  

By the way the title of the blog  - - - during camp I was bit by a snake and hyper-extended my back in the inflatables.  What a week to remember.

Not as young as I used to be

After close to 30 church camps in my life, I still enjoy the time at camp with children and youth.
I spent the week with about 80 children plus sponsors from our church at camp Zephyr for Children's Camp. We had so much fun, played many games, enjoyed the recreation, and spent a lot of time in the word of God. I was blessed with an opportunity to spend quality time with so many great kids. My relationship with those kids has grown so much, I feel like I know them better and they seem to feel the same about me.
As I got to know the kids better, I was so encouraged by their love for God. They were great examples of Christ-followers all week. But what really encouraged me was how much time they wanted to spend reading the Bible (with flashlights at night, during breaks, in the mornings and evenings). The love our children have for God was evidenced in their lives each day of camp.
The way they served each other, the way they respected the sponsors, the way they helped people they did not know, were all ways in which Christ was seen in their lives. Their love for God was clearly seen in what they did. I believe Jesus said it this way; "If you love me, you will obey what I command." (John 14:15) The FBC Harlingen Children's Ministry is definitely being used by God to partner with parents to produce children of great character; the character of Christ.
I was truly challenged by our children this week. Their pure love for God, love for his word, and love for his people, really challenged all of the sponsors. Let us all come to the Lord with a child-like faith and love.

"2 He called a little child and had him stand among them. 3 And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 "And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. "
Matt 18:2-5 (NIV)

from one who is not as young as he used to be, but who needs to be youthful in his love for God,
Bro. Wade