Easter Camp

Thursday my friend Catherine came over and we enjoyed a long day inside seeking refuge from the pouring rain that was happing outside the many window of the lounge. The couches are nice and comfortable and we lounged away enjoying the heat from the fireplace that has of recent become thoroughly necessary. It's getting closer and closer to winter, you know this because of the rain and the extremely low temperatures. Catherine and I's time was cut short, I needed to pack for the 4 day Easter Camp that I was leaving for in no more than a couple of hours.

After I heard the gate shut from Catherine leaving, I sprung off the couch like a madwoman ran to my room and began packing up every bit of clothing I could find that would hold in any warmth at all. With many back and forth runs from different rooms back to the suitcase I was all packed and ready. Then a horrid sound came from my tummy and I had realized that I hadn't eaten all day!!! With my meal in paper towel I ran outside to help Sonia pack the van and we were off to meet up with the youth group at Shore hub.
We were running late but it appears so was everyone else!!! We loaded up all the vehicles and I introduced myself to all the kids I didn't know yet. A big group of year nines looked really intimidated by the others so I took them under my wing for the time being. As the others crammed themselves into vehicles I jumped in shotgun to Sonia and the road trip began. Hamilton is about two hours southeast of Alany (where the hub is) and we caught the evening traffic which made the trip even longer.. almost twice as long as needed. A couple of petrol stops and a stop at McDonald's "land of the golden arches" we made it to Mystery Creek, where the camp was being held. It couldn't have been more than 3 or 4 degrees celsius as we all huddled around trying to find our bags. A late main session was announced over the loudspeaker and we all dropped our tents and headed off to join in the worship and message. The speaker was good. The speakers name was Brooke Turner and his message was good. He spoke about how sometimes when we pray God answers our prayers in miraculous ways that we could not even imagine. More worship followed and our bodies had adjusted to the heat of 3 1/2 thousand bodies in one room that when we left the building breathing was a bit hard. (well atleast for me). Our tents were set up for us by the male youth leaders and we all jumped to the chance of a warm nights sleep... but it never came. The weather got colder and someone forgot to zip up the sleeping bag and nearly froze all night. The morning to follow was interesting. Everyone had a different story to tell about their night in what felt to be the world's biggest freezer.

A normal day at camp is something like this:
7:30 am- Leaders Meeting
7:00-8:30 Breakfast
9:30- Morning Session
12:30-lunch
7:30 Night session
12:00pm-Curfew

Throughout the various gaps of time there were talent quests, sports, foam parties, funk parties, hoedowns, movies, and a giant game of tag.

The 4 days went by really fast, the worship was always great. Messages ranged all over the place depending on speakers. My favorite speaker was and English bloke who explained sexual temptation in terms of his temptation/experience with a double chocolate cake. He was quite the crack up and I really enjoyed his teachings.
I was a youth leader and had several really good talks with some of the youth about spirituality and my walk in faith.

Lines for food were ridiculous but that's expected when trying to feed so many people.

Over all the weekend was a great experience a great time of spiritual reflection for me. We are told not to look to the past but to the future and I try not to but I haven't looked back in such a long time that I couldn't believe how far I've come!!!

Good relationships where made and hopefully even better conversations are soon to come!

Happy Belated Easter to you all!