We have started one of the most unusual type of weeks of the summer; a blend of international flavor for about 70 campers; and a non-traditional type of adventure camp for over 200 other campers. We have two speakers, 3 coaches, 2 shooting instructors, and several other volunteers on the grounds this week.
There are cabins of boys ready to hit the paint ball course; there are boys and girls playing basketball; girls playing volleyball; girls riding English; girls beginning the first green broke camp at the horse barn; and then there are the archery and shooting boys. Their schedule is completely different from any of our earlier camps. As I drove around camp this morning, there was activity in all areas of camp. What a joy!!
There are several things that excite me about this week: Mark Henderson, the youth pastor from Ames EFC is one of our speakers. Mark and his wife Cari were counselors for the camp back in the 90's. Becky Angell Bloom, another former counselor and program director, is coaching the girls volleyball. Coach Bob Berggren is back coaching BB camp for his 27th summer at camp. To me, it feels like old home week.
Know what else excites me? This is the week we attract some young people who might not ever go to church or camp anywhere else, but things like paintball, shooting, or basketball attract them to Hidden Acres. Most of you might know, I find paint ball a little silly.... I am a hunter and find playing with a toy gun a little bit unreal... (I enjoy the real hunt for deer and turkey). But over the years, I have seen a bunch of hard looking boys come to camp because of the paintball.... hear the gospel... and turn their lives over to Christ.... I can't argue with that... get them here with paintball... present the gospel... and watch the Spirit of God work in their lives.
International camp also thrills my heart. We have a group of kids from all over the world: Africa, SE Asia, Russia, Mexico, and South America attending camp and hearing the messages from our friend Lawrence Bommett from Kenya. In addition to hearing the gospel, these young people are getting to experience camp in America. For many of these young people, they are here in the States because their parents are graduate students in Ames, Iowa City or other colleges. Usually, after 3 to 5 years, they will return home to their native countries. It is our desire to send out young missionaries back to these countries; they accept Christ at camp... plug into a local church for a couple years... then return home to share with others in their homelands. That is multiplication!!
I just returned from a tour with a dear friend; Joe Anholt, formerly of the Ft. Dodge Free Church, and now living in Cedar Rapids. Joe was one of the original board members who founded the camp in 1979; he was one that helped raise money to buy the land, and one that helped erect the first building. He is now 88 years old; ready to go home to be with the Lord; and wanted to take the 3 hour drive to camp to see what it had become. What a privilege for me to give him the big tour and to show him a busy camp full of kids and opportunities for us. What fun to take him to the Prayer Tree and for him to read the plaque near the tree where the founding board knelt and asked God's blessing and direction for Hidden Acres. When he left, he left with tears in his eyes and with the comment, "I'll be waiting for you!" It took me a minute to understand what he was saying.... but I caught it... "I'll look forward to that day Joe when we both are in heaven!"
Joe knows his days are numbered; he knows where he will spend eternity; he knows he has done a good thing in being involved in such a ministry as Hidden Acres; and he knows because of his efforts and many others, he will see many who had made their commitment to Christ while at camp.....and I'll be waiting for the campers too!
earldtaylor@yahoo.com
There are cabins of boys ready to hit the paint ball course; there are boys and girls playing basketball; girls playing volleyball; girls riding English; girls beginning the first green broke camp at the horse barn; and then there are the archery and shooting boys. Their schedule is completely different from any of our earlier camps. As I drove around camp this morning, there was activity in all areas of camp. What a joy!!
There are several things that excite me about this week: Mark Henderson, the youth pastor from Ames EFC is one of our speakers. Mark and his wife Cari were counselors for the camp back in the 90's. Becky Angell Bloom, another former counselor and program director, is coaching the girls volleyball. Coach Bob Berggren is back coaching BB camp for his 27th summer at camp. To me, it feels like old home week.
Know what else excites me? This is the week we attract some young people who might not ever go to church or camp anywhere else, but things like paintball, shooting, or basketball attract them to Hidden Acres. Most of you might know, I find paint ball a little silly.... I am a hunter and find playing with a toy gun a little bit unreal... (I enjoy the real hunt for deer and turkey). But over the years, I have seen a bunch of hard looking boys come to camp because of the paintball.... hear the gospel... and turn their lives over to Christ.... I can't argue with that... get them here with paintball... present the gospel... and watch the Spirit of God work in their lives.
International camp also thrills my heart. We have a group of kids from all over the world: Africa, SE Asia, Russia, Mexico, and South America attending camp and hearing the messages from our friend Lawrence Bommett from Kenya. In addition to hearing the gospel, these young people are getting to experience camp in America. For many of these young people, they are here in the States because their parents are graduate students in Ames, Iowa City or other colleges. Usually, after 3 to 5 years, they will return home to their native countries. It is our desire to send out young missionaries back to these countries; they accept Christ at camp... plug into a local church for a couple years... then return home to share with others in their homelands. That is multiplication!!
I just returned from a tour with a dear friend; Joe Anholt, formerly of the Ft. Dodge Free Church, and now living in Cedar Rapids. Joe was one of the original board members who founded the camp in 1979; he was one that helped raise money to buy the land, and one that helped erect the first building. He is now 88 years old; ready to go home to be with the Lord; and wanted to take the 3 hour drive to camp to see what it had become. What a privilege for me to give him the big tour and to show him a busy camp full of kids and opportunities for us. What fun to take him to the Prayer Tree and for him to read the plaque near the tree where the founding board knelt and asked God's blessing and direction for Hidden Acres. When he left, he left with tears in his eyes and with the comment, "I'll be waiting for you!" It took me a minute to understand what he was saying.... but I caught it... "I'll look forward to that day Joe when we both are in heaven!"
Joe knows his days are numbered; he knows where he will spend eternity; he knows he has done a good thing in being involved in such a ministry as Hidden Acres; and he knows because of his efforts and many others, he will see many who had made their commitment to Christ while at camp.....and I'll be waiting for the campers too!
earldtaylor@yahoo.com
1 comment:
Hey, Earl!
How helpful it is to be able to read your blog and keep up with life at camp.
For your information, I think paintball rocks! No where near as thrilling as shooting a real gun (I know, I've been taking lessons with a 22 Target rifle), but certianly adrenaline-pumping. Besides, it's good practice for using the real thing.
Love You,
Leeanna Joy Zahn (Norman Adamson's oldest grand-daughter)
Post a Comment