Camp Ray Bird 2010

 Today is the last full day of camp for week seven here at Camp Ray Bird.  Green Day is the day we talk about growing in our faith in Christ.  I found out from Mike this morning that we started the week with 136 campers!  A few have returned home for various reasons.  I believe all of them heard and experienced God's truth and love in action.  I know I have grown through our time here this week.  I have seen all of our students in action and serving in many selfless ways.  We have certainly been tested at times and yet we have experienced the strength and joy that can only come from knowing God and living by His Spirit.  We have also experienced God's blessings and joy as we have really enjoyed serving...and playing together this week.  I hope and pray that the campers and staff here will experience lasting growth in their Christian Faith.  I am quite certain that I have.  God bless you and thank you for your support.

 Today was Dark Day at Camp Ray Bird.  This is a day to focus on the reality of our sin and how it separates us from God.  Yesterday was Gold Day and this was a day to learn about the reality of God's Holiness and Glory.  You may very well guess that tomorrow will be the most important part of all...Christ's payment of our sins and how only faith in His righteousness will save us (Red and White Day).  Please pray for listening ears and receptive hearts.  All of our students are feeling a bit weary but they are keeping a good attitude for sure.  We have had some quality discussion and prayer time together.  We also were able to take some time out to go downtown to the South Bend Chocolate Company.  We all very much appreciate your prayers and continue to be encouraged by the CRB staff.  We have been able to have some meaningful spiritual conversations with some of the campers and we are praying for more of them.

 Our team arrived safely at CRB around 6:30 on Sunday night.  We spend Sunday night getting to know the CRB staff as we played ultimate frisbee and indoor soccer.  It was a very fun evening and we even got to swim for a little while.

Today we have been through training, received our assignments, and eased into the camp schedule as the campers started to arrive around 1:30.  We had a very encouraging time of discussion and prayer shortly before the campers arrived.  I am really impressed by the maturity of our students and the CRB summer staff.  There was a particular emphasis on asking for God's Spirit to help us be "fruitful" this week.  The guys prayed through Ephesians 3 together.  Things really started hopping once the campers arrived as we got them moved into camp, played some fun games, and completed the swim tests.  After dinner we played Capture the Flag/Marshmellow Wars (ask us later)!  We then finished off the day with some quality campfire time and talked about the fact that the Bible is 100% accurate and reliable.  The theme for the week is "Ed and Anna Jones, Biblical Archealogists"  This is really going to lead to some great conversations....great first day!  Thank God for all this and beautiful weather as well!  Please find pictures of the team and CRB on Facebook under my account.  Thank you for your prayers and God Bless you.