Summer Camp

Well I have survived another week of summer camp! The combined churches of Hopedale and Finley Crossings have had another wonderful week of children's camp. This year's theme centered around game shows. Our biblical focus was on "The Great Commision."

The lessons began with the parable of the one lost sheep and the ninety-nine still safely in the fold. A video of the wayward shepherd looking for his lost sheep in the fields, parking lots, Dollar General and other places was entertaining and taught a wonderful lesson of the great lengths that the Good Shepherd will go in order to rescue his lost sheep.

Lesson two featured the "Mad Scientist" and his explosive version of fruit salad. The lesson was actually about the "Fruit of the Spirit" found in the fifth chapter of Galations. We learned that the Holy Spirit helps us in all aspects of our life. He helps us in our relationship with God (love, joy, peace), our relationships with others (patience, kindness, goodness), and in our personal disciplines (faithfulness, gentleness and self-control).

We moved on to telling "our story" and telling His story--the Great Commission. Through it all, David and Jenny Stone did an awesome job of leading our worship time and calling out to God so that He might bless us with His Presence. The Drama Team brought great skits. Our friend Rusty made regular appearances and always brings an interesting (but often flawed) view of the Bible. I hope that the kids learned how important it is to ask questions. The team challenges were a blast and the annual water gun fight lived up to its growing reputation of fun--soaking and getting soaked!

Mike and Denise, you guys are incredible. You are the best Children's Directors that a church could hope to have and I feel very blessed that you serve at Hopedale. All of the adult volunteers did so much to see that the kids had fun and learned a little bit while doing it! The staff at Windemere also did a great job of meeting our needs.

In the end, five of our campers made professions of faith in Jesus! I am humbled to serve along side of all of you. The kids, the camp, the workers all rocked. It almost makes me look forward to next year!

John

By the way--the blog has reached its one year anniversary today!