BABR Summer 2013 Week #8: A New Perspective

This time of summer is always bittersweet, because we are anticipating going home to our family and friends, but we have to say goodbye "or see you later" to a group of people that we have really connected and bonded with the last nine weeks. I had a full cabin with eight teen girls and was blessed to have my sister, Beth, as my wrangler. These were seven of the girls I've had previously this summer and other summers, so we have established relationships.

Dino Butler and Ty Platero were the speakers for chapels this week. They wanted to make this week epic- one that the teens wouldn't forget. And they won't! In the mornings they answered questions the teens had written down.

The questions were very thought provoking and provided lead-ins to great discussions in chapel and devotions! The first night Dino and Ty showed pictures from when they were younger and shared that God uses the ordinary to do the extraordinary, if a person is willing to just trust Him.
The second night Ty spoke about being prepared- we weren't meant for this life, but for eternity. The third night Dino shared about resisting the enemy- to keep fighting and not give up, because satan won't stop until he destroys us. At the end of the message Dino invited all who were wounded to come kneel at the front and pray. A lot of campers/staff went up- it was a very powerful moment. I had the opportunity to pray with one of my campers for her situation at home and to pray with another girl who was more than ready to accept Christ. It was an amazing privilege to hear her pray and give her life to Christ! God had touched my heart in such a way that after a long conversation with one of our staff I surrendered my life to Christ- I let go of so many things I was holding on to, because I was afraid to let go and trust Him completely. My past, my fears, my family, my future. I felt the chains breaking that had held me in bondage for so long and a peace overwhelmed me. I found out later several other teens accepted Christ or gave things to God this same night. The fourth night Dino talked about how we need to endure. It gets really hard at times and we feel like giving up, but Jesus is standing in front of us with a cloud of witnesses cheering us on to the finish line. It is worth it to persevere! We need each others encouragement to press on. He talked about how Christ endured so much for us. It cost Him his life! It overwhelmed me to tears the pain so many of these campers have gone through, that BABR has been a refuge in the storms of life for many, and that so many have found God for the first time, rededicated their lives, or let go of things. We had to stop campfire at 1 a.m. because we needed to get some sleep. There is one young man- an 18 year old counselor- whose testimony has inspired me beyond words. God has brought Josh through many poor choices he made and used his experiences to bring many of his friends to Christ. He would share bits of his life story with me throughout the summer, and it would be so evident that no one can fall out of the reach of a loving and merciful God. God can take anything we've done and work it out for good. He is such an example of living each day for eternity, making each moment count, and leaving a legacy that points only to Christ. He is living Christ, no matter where his journey takes him. It reminds me to focus on what's important- what will last when I'm long gone from this earth.

It was hard to say goodbye to my girls this week, because I couldn't guarantee when I'd see them again and they had a difficult time realizing this. Only God knows our future.

Saturday we had our final farewell for the staff and that was one of the most difficult parts of the summer for me. As I looked in each face down that line, I was reminded of how that person impacted me this summer- how my life will never be the same.
Some made a greater impact than others, but each was important. I held my sister as she tried to make sense of leaving these people that she has grown to love as family. Getting to experience this summer with Beth is something I wouldn't take back for anything. Her growth from the beginning of the summer to the end is only something God could do. I pray with all my heart that God brings many of us back together at BABR, but if He chooses not to, I know we will reunite in heaven. God chose to end the summer with a very tragic event- the death of a young man that I had really come to know the previous two summers. We were left with a lot of pain and unanswered questions. Yet, God had a plan for even this and we continue to trust God to bring good from it. Sunday morning we loaded up to go to the airport in Albuquerque and by late Sunday evening Beth and I were back with our family. The summer may seem like it's ending, but many things are just beginning....I can't wait to see what God does next.....

REMEMBER

BABR Summer 2013 Week #7

Week 7 of camp (teen week) brought new challenges. I had 7 girls that I've had before as campers and really connect with them. It's awesome to see how God is building our relationships as the years go by and all that God is doing in and through them. 

 
Crafts has been a highlight of my summer, because of some incredible helpers the last two weeks. That activity will never be the same- so many stories, but what happens in the craft shop stays in the craft shop. I'll just say it was quite the adventure (involving wood burners, tons of stickers, clothespins, a guitar, and more). 

I also had the privilege of being a "token person" with Samantha Irving during Mission Impossible, which we played two nights this week. We went out and hid with tokens (painted sticks) and the campers had to find us, without being caught by gunners (counselors/wranglers). It gave Samantha and me quiet time out under the stars. The first night we were easy to find, but the second night we made it more difficult and only two people found us.

When Josh Hillis started his campaign last week, I had no idea he'd be able to get enough campers to vote for me to be slimed. (For those who don't know what a "sliming" is- they mix a whole bunch of leftover foods together, have the person being slimed lay down on the ground, and dump it all over the person. Then that person chases other people.) It is an incentive for the campers to learn Bible verses and books of the Bible. Nobody really knew me or had reason to see me slimed. However, the votes came through and I was nominated. The boys always have trouble getting enough of them to say the verses and books of the Bible and I was sure they couldn't pull it off. But by lunch Friday, Josh made sure that was accomplished. Over 18 boys and 18 girls completed the challenge. Then a hail storm hit Friday afternoon and I thought I was off the hook, but the skies cleared enough and I was slimed. I made sure I "shared" it with Beth, Josh Hillis, and some nearby vulnerable campers. It was the most disgusting thing I think I've ever done. Josh Hillis kept reminding me, "Only the greats get slimed." That brought me some encouragement. At least now all the teens know who I am.

 

The hail storm was one of the most amazing weather events I've ever seen! It rained balls of ice for quite a while. At the end, it looked like it had snowed everywhere. Several people went out and played in the "rivers" the rain had created throughout the camp. Crazy weather.

Saturday night was the staff banquet and time to look back over the summer. The food was delicious and the fellowship was wonderful. We shared the things we appreciated most about each other, bringing laughter and tears. God blessed me with getting to know, in a much deeper way, many of these staff members. It was inspiring to look back at the previous eight weeks and see what God has brought us through, together.

I can't believe the summer is almost over. There's still one week to go and we are going to finish strong!