Week 6 – Go West!

During our Wild West week, July 8-12th, we had to make a difficult decision. Due to several factors, we didn’t have enough staff to provide City Camp to all of the campers. We were, however, able to run our program for a small group of campers whose parents were counting on us to care for their children during that time.

Though we had a small group, it was a great week! We found that we were able to have deeper discussions during devotions because of the smaller groups. Our staff had the opportunity to really get to know the campers that were here that week too. It was different, but good. God showed us that he could take the situation that we felt sad about and turn it into something special and use it for his glory. During one of the devotions, campers participated in a mock-auction selling off different talents, skills, and experiences. They were asked, “What would you pay to be the most popular kid at school? …to be an astronaut? …to go sky-diving?” and so on. In the end, we asked them how much they would be willing to give to save their soul. Campers were very engaged in the discussion and staff had a chance to clearly share the gospel to a receptive group. It was a blessing!

We also had a chance to have lots of fun making western crafts and playing cowboy games. We took the campers swimming at Platte County Community Center North YMCA and Sherwood Bible Church Public Swimming Pool—which was a great time, as usual. On the last day, campers were in for a surprise. We took them to the Truman Library Museum—thanks to the Truman Library for allowing us to bring all the kids for free because of their school supply drive during the month of July. After that we went for……… a COVERED WAGON RIDE!!!

It was so cool to experience a part of the Wild West that none of us had experienced before. Thanks to Pioneer Trails Covered Wagon Adventures (www.pioneertrailsadventures.com) for giving us all a taste of the West.

Week 5 - Party Time!

This past week was the week of the Fourth of July. So it was quite fitting for the theme to be “Party in the U.S.A.” It was a fun week that provided a lot of opportunities for the kids to learn more about our Country and the freedom we have been blessed with.

We also had the privilege to teach the kids about the freedom that is found in Christ and His forgiveness. It was a busy week full of activities: swimming, hiking at Cave Spring in Raytown, a Fourth of July Parade in Lenexa, a Royals win, and some jumping at Bump City.

Although it was the holiday, we decided to have camp the whole week. The holiday cut our attendance down on Thursday and Friday but we had some unique activities for the kids who did attend on the holiday. Campers who attended were not short of any patriotic experience between the parade and the Royals game. Thanks so much to the Royals for letting us come out for free! The kids had a great time and enjoyed getting to be seen on the jumbo-tron and the grand slam. What a game!

         

This week presented its challenges like every week does. It was a bit of a challenge to get back into the swing of City Camp after having the volunteer group run it for a week. It was also hard because Camp CUMCITO is running and we constantly have to adjust to the staff and campers that are gone for the week. Flexibility is a lesson with which we are becoming well-acquainted. We are so thankful that we serve a God who is in control of all this and gives us the wisdom and patience to be flexible in times of change.

Week 4 - Texas Week

This week looked different than most weeks because we had a volunteer group from Tyler, Texas lead City Camp. High schoolers and staff from One-Ten Student Ministries at Green Acres Baptist Church(http://www.gabc.org/students) came and sponsored the entire week. They planned the activities, provided all the supplies, and arranged the field trips. The theme was Noah’s Ark. The kids learned all about how Noah obeyed the Lord even when it meant that he had to ignore what everyone else was telling him. This was a good reminder when we had to change the schedule a bit for the week. When things are not always going the way we plan them the important thing is that we are serving the Lord and doing His work.

We were privileged to go on three field trips during the week. On Monday afternoon we went to River Roll and enjoyed roller skating, Wednesday afternoon we went to the movies and saw “Monsters University,” and Friday we enjoyed a full day at Super Splash water park. On Thursday, our friends from One-Ten threw a big carnival for City Camp kids and the community. Everyone who came had a blast! The kids really enjoyed making some new friends with the volunteers and had a great time learning and playing with them.

It was a less intense week for our City Camp staff since there were enough volunteers to lead the activities and each crew. Although we still helped with the crews, we also had a chance to organize curriculum for the coming weeks, and have some time off. It was a great encouragement to have some time to recharge for the following weeks of City Camp.

You can watch the video from One-Ten Student Ministries

at Green Acres Baptist Church HERE!

Week 3 - Animal Sounds

Last week’s theme was animal week. It was really fun to see the creativity the kids have when making animals masks out of detergent bottles and making animals to hang on the wall in the class room. The animal theme allowed the kids to learn more about the awesome creation that God has surrounded us with and how Christ is the Lamb that was slain for us. What an amazing reminder that Christ, the Lamb of God laid down His life for us! Our week was busy with the zoo mobile visiting and presenting about the food chain while showing us some animals, we did our usual swimming twice a week, and on Friday we took a field trip to Deanna Rose Farmstead to see some more animals and feed the goats.

           

Field trips are one of my favorite activities because it is one of the biggest opportunities to have conversational evangelism. So far there has been a moment on every field trip to reinforce the gospel with the kids in our groups. It is such an encouragement to see how God presents opportunities to share His love to these kids in different ways and environments. These are the moments that make the struggle and stress of city camp worth it. No matter how many trials and challenges present themselves, it is a great reminder that we are here to show the kids that Christ is the solid foundation that will never shake.

           

We are so thankful for your prayers and support. We ask for continued prayers for our intern Jessyca who had surgery on her foot. She is doing well and is starting to participate a little at a time at city camp. Continue praying for the staff to have energy and health to continuing building relationships with the kids and that the kids hearts would be open to the gospel.