Thanksgiving in Florida!!

Never would have I imagined that I would be traveling during the Thanksgiving season. A couple of days ago I found myself packing a car, and after church spending the next few hours on the road! I remember my mom and grandma constantly asking me if I needed a break, or even to rest. I remember myself laughing at those remarks and calling myself a machine on the road.

From Sunday morning to Monday night I was on roads that ranged from beautiful country scenic drives to construction zones on interstates!!!!!! One of the first major stops my family and I had was at Talladega, Alabama. Little did I know that the hotel we were staying at for the night was within five minutes of Talladega Superspeedway. It was neat to take a track tour and observe the size of the facility. I remember standing in victory lane and thinking of all the drivers that have stood here, ranging from retired drivers to rookies!!

I currently have traveled over 1,000 miles to my destination at Fort Myers, Florida. This Thanksgiving meal will be one of the biggest I have had in recent times, and it is good to be with family I have not seen for a long period of time. May you all be blessed and encouraged through Christ alone, and may we all be thankful for everything we have!

Striving to Stay on the Straight and Narrow...

As I was coming back to church to camp I was caught with a thought that really made me surprised in a way. I was talking about it for parts of the summer and then I realized that this moment was finally here: this is the last week of Camp Oytokwah Summer Camp 2012. WOW!!!! I could not begin to word what was going through my head but my main reaction was silence (with my eyes wide open). I am currently on my 11th week of summer camp programming at camp and it truly has been a long and persevering summer. Vineyard Church, which is out of Columbus, OH, is the last guest group of the summer that the summer staff will work with. Once this week is complete the staff will begin leaving camp for their own lives for the rest of the year. Where the staff will be in the long term no one goes, but as of now most of everyone will be going back and getting ready for school. Where will I be though... well after camp is over I will be preparing for my trip toward Kentucky to be with the Journey Fellowship of Students for our final retreat. Once that is complete I will be coming back home to prepare for my last semester of school (which has truly felt like a long time coming). I am sitting in the back counter of the gift shop, since this is where the best coverage of wireless is at, pondering at what truly is ahead and looking back at a hard-working and demanding summer both physically and spiritually.

There are some things that took place at camp that I never thought would have been possible. I came to camp this summer not knowing anything about archery, high rope setup, etc. and for the most part this summer I have been working at the rock wall and high ropes systems as well as teaching kids how to shoot a bow and arrow onto a target. The activities that took place this summer were in areas I had no previous experience in, but at the same time I do believe this is what Christ wanted me to see and experience these last few months. A famous phrase in the Gospels is ANYTHING IMPOSSIBLE WITH MAN IS POSSIBLE WITH GOD. What a phrase that Jesus uses Himself to talk to His disciples, by saying that to get live righteous in God's eyes that this is impossible, but through Jesus Christ Himself all things can and will be possible. I look on the summer that had taken place, along with the new week ahead, and look at Christ Himself in all of the picture. There are times where I was angry, lost, stumbling, tempted, etc. and it helps me realize that I just need Christ more.

So, looking ahead, I see the last week of camp and the sunset even brighter than before. This feeling is bittersweet... knowing that the end is near for the summer of 2012 (as well as the end of my last summer break period). God has been able to do far more remarkable things than I could begin to talk about, teach on, or minister to people on. God is bigger than all of these things and is bigger than our own imaginations. Christ made our minds, as small as they truly are in the grand scheme of things, and made them to think, intellect with others, prosper, etc. To fathom the mind of Christ would be to go to a beach and start counting the number of grains of sand that are laying around. This would:

1. Be pointless, because there is always new grains of sand that arrive out of the waves in the ocean.
2. Be long, this would not take a day or even a year, this would take more like a lifetime
3. Be stressful, come on... we as people have trouble in everyday life with mere tasks, how much bigger would this be.

I leave you all with this... continue to view Christ not as a distant God that truly does not care but as someone that truly is right next to us and truly wants the best of us, just like a real and true father. Be blessed everyone, and may we all continue to find more of Christ.

The Sunset Is Becoming More Evident...

Who would have ever thought that a smaller Christian camp located in the northern section of Ohio would show me the biggest challenges of life. I personally did not look at this camp in that manner before I arrived through the camp pillars. I remember how I talked to family, friends, and other staff members that I had this plan on what I would write about because of my approach to the summer. I felt that this camp was going to grow me in my experiences in working with youth and also being a part of a team setting for a good amount of time. The interviews went well prior the summer, the business cards were polished up, and the resume looked as if nothing could be any better. I drove from Indianapolis to an area between Columbus and Cleveland, Ohio and had my world turned upside down (but for the better).

There are only two camp groups left before I return home from my summer of ministry. Last week we had our first of two CYSC groups (which are the two Catholic groups that rent out the camp property). This group is definitely loud, crazy, full of life, and ready to take on new challenges. This past week I had some of the biggest challenges that I faced this summer. I can already see, just from this past weeks experience, that what the Catholic group believes is different from the Christian environment that I have been involved with. Through the week I had some of the most interesting discussions with people about what they believed, their prayer life, etc. and at the same time was challenged with some things that were brought up through the week. My week actually got to a point where I became very negative in my own personal mind and that the Bible meant nothing to me because I could not follow it (my own words). I had one of the biggest downfalls at the midpoint of the week because of some things taking place in the group and at the same time I found some of the staff that I work with (the other guys) came up to me and offered prayer, support, and even a foot washing as a sign of love and direction to Christ. This group also has the most programming that I have done in any given point of the summer. The programming for 200 plus campers averages to about six hours a day which equals to 30 hours by the end of the week. WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That is a lot of ropes, archery, and team-building (WOOOOOOOOOOOOO)!!!!! Even with the busy schedule I found that this week challenged me in my programming areas as well as my patience and respect to the people around me.

This week, looking back, needed to happen for the growth and maturity that Christ is trying to use. There was a scripture that came to my mind that relates to this mindset that was used in 1 Peter...

 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. (1 Peter 2:2-3)


Being in the Christian life is very much like growing up in a physical life. In the day to day physical life you start out as a newborn baby and work your way through adolescence (so much fun)!!! teenager, young adulthood, adulthood, and the final stage of old age and eventually death. The spiritual life is very similar to this setup in terms of the stages of walking with Christ. When we find Christ scripture says we "become a new creation" (2 Corinthians 5:17) it is like the spiritual birth that people find when they accept Christ for the first time. As we grow up in our faith by watching others and filling our minds with every great thing that comes from Christ (Philippians 4:8-9) we become like a child and falling in love with the life Christ provides. As we grow up we realize that Jesus is the true source and we are part of Him (John 15:1) and that is when we grow up and find what is true and false in this life. Jesus had a way of using this life so that we may find Him, love after Him, and desire more of His mercy. There is no longer a need to go through other sources to get to Christ, for we have DIRECT ACCESS to our Father that says that we are no longer considered workers but part of His perfect family (Galatians 4:7).

As the summer winds down and the end is near for my last summer ever of camp ministry I look back at the other years that I have been involved with camping and what God has done through every season. As I look back to when I was 15 and first becoming a counselor by becoming a Counselor in Training (CIT) I did not appreciate this life as I do at 24 and nearly at ten summers in summer camp ministry. Going from a volunteer CIT to a Program Manager has not been an easy route but it has been something that I look back on and thank Christ for all that He has taught me, even in the times when I was not serious about Him. In the end I realize that I just want and desire more of Christ and His grace and truth, to be intertwined in His presence. Be blessed everyone, and for this week be praying for God's spirit to impact every crevice of my life and for my life to be parallel to His life.

Pondering Toward the End of the Summer...

There is a lot going through my head as I sit and type this blog out after a couple of intense of guest group weeks. Over the last couple of weeks there have been a couple of Presbyterian groups (from New York, Ohio, and Michigan) that have been a joy to work with. I am also sitting here and cannot even begin to fathom that there is only three weeks left of camp. THREE WEEKS OF CAMP LEFT!!!!!!!! Where has the time gone, seriously???? Anyways (as I tone down myself) I had the opportunity to have a good relaxing weekend and at the same time a chance to learn, struggle, and grow in my relationship with Christ. These camps, along with the guest groups, have shown me how much I truly need to rely on Christ. I am also sitting here and listening to the new David Crowder Band album and there was a song for over one minute that kept saying "Amen" over and over. The song started out in a quiet tone and then intensified as it progressed. I kept finding myself playing that song over and over as I found myself closing my eyes and feeling the strength and presence that Christ really brings out. The biggest lesson I have learned this summer...

I AM NOTHING WITH CHRIST!!!! NOTHING, NOTHING, NOTHING, NOTHING, NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I NEED CHRIST, I NEED HIS PRESENCE, I NEED HIS HEALING POWER, I NEED HIS MERCY, I NEED HIS ESSENCE, LORD, I NEED YOU COMPLETELY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


This has been one of the hardest lessons to learn, and to this day it is still hard to grasp. This summer has not only been the biggest learning experience that I have had in recent years but it is also been the one that has provided the best growth professionally, physically, emotionally, and intellectually. I am working in program areas that before the summer started I had no prior experience in. I am a regular at the rock wall where I either belay people up the rock wall, repel them down the wall, or run the zip ladder from time to time. I can also be found teaching kids how to do archery, hold a bow and arrow effectively, and shoot at a precise level. Sure, I have only been learning these activities for part of the summer but doing them over and over has caused me to find a passion in them and find a way to impact lives through the activities. I even found myself telling my grandma the other day that I may have found a new hobby with archery and may even find some facilities to shoot around from time to time.

I cannot stress it enough in this post, OUR GOD IS AN AWESOME AND WONDERFUL GOD!! There was a couple of verses that I read yesterday that really impacted my face and faith at the same time. Both are found in 1 John. 1 John 4:4 says...

You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.


1 John 5:5 says...

Who is He that overcomes the world: He who believes that Jesus is the SON OF GOD! 




Through the summer I have been keeping verses on a sticky note on my desktop of things I need to remember, live by, and also: LIVE OUT! That is one of the biggest lessons that I have learned this summer. We as people of God need to live out our faith, not just look at it and think it is a beautiful thing and then go along with that. God is HUGE and WANTS 100% of WHO WE ARE! This is truly the hardest thing to grasp and I continue to pray that He will show how this looks and how this is used in today's life. Be blessed everyone through Christ alone!

The Learning Curve...

The first guest group has come and gone, and a lot of big happenings have been taking place at Camp Otyokwah. The big building at camp, Hopewell Hall, has been renovated and the camp was able to host its first dinner since the summer started. The first guest group was a fun group to work around that provided many opportunities for growth and inspiration.

During one night of the week the older and younger kids were split into two groups with the younger group watching "Facing the Giants" while the older group watched "Courageous." I personally took an opportunity to join the younger group to watch Facing the Giants and then walked down to the older kids and watch the other movie. Facing the Giants personally taught me that there is truly nothing to fear when Christ is at the driver's seat and is in full control. There are many opportunities that we feel that we know the answer and that there is no other way around that. Christ says multiple times that we can live in His truth and example, which truly is challenging and humbling at the same time.

The camp is now at the sunset mark and there are only a few more weeks of programming left. When I first wanted to write to you all I had a different picture of how this summer was going to be. Well, let's just say that Christ had other plans. Be blessed everyone through the name of Jesus alone.

Bring on the guest groups!!

Wow!! That is the only word I can truly put into context that can truly place any kind of image of what is truly going on this summer. The summer staff and myself just hit the halfway point of the camp season and it does not seem possible. I still remember being the only person at camp (with the exception of the full-time staff) and getting prepared for the staff training period. Looking back halfway through the summer I have formed so many memories, and also met various amounts of obstacles head on.

I still remember watching the youngest group, Pioneer Camp, arrive to camp. For the most part this camp was their first experience at any type of camp setting and it was truly a blessing to see how they reacted to the silly games, as well as the times of singing songs and worshiping God. Now that the actual camps that Camp Otyokwah runs are in the past it is time to look ahead at the guest groups that will be arriving. The first group that will be arriving is a Presbyterian church located in Cincinnati. This will be different to see both how the programs are run but also what it will look like to take a step back and become mainly a facilitator.

Challenge courses will come into play as well as more intense programming. Even though these are guest groups, and the other camps from the past weeks have returned home, it does not hurt to pray for the campers and staff alike. Jesus made it clear that prayer is an essential and sometimes overlooked tool that is used in the Christian walk. Prayer is more than just getting together and talking about problems but it is also the only channel we have to talk with God directly and view Him in the glory and splendor. Christ already knows what we go through on a daily basis and at the same times He desires our full attention, faith, trust, and love in situations. Proverbs 3:6 talks about us acknowledging God in ALL WAYS and through this Christ will make our confusing, demanding, awkward paths straight. Even though it will not always be peaches and cream God promises, and will continue to promise, His everything in our lives... things like guidance, preparation, faith, words, listening ears, and the list goes on and on.

Continue to pray for the past summer, as well as the summer weeks ahead. It has been warm and muggy but Christ has worked in everything. Be blessed everyone, for He truly is God of ALL!!

Onto Junior Camp...

WOW!!!! Another week is already done and I am now sitting 20 minutes away from camp to catch up on things and prepare for the next week ahead. The Intermediate camp is complete and the Junior Camp is coming in soon. The Junior camp, for those that do not know the Camp Otyokwah lingo, is for people going into the 3rd and 4th grades. These kids are coming into camp for the first time both on their own and for longer than a weekend time frame. Nearly hitting the halfway point of camp I am noticing, including in myself, that the endurance camp called camp is starting to get at some people. Some of the staff is starting to get tired, and I took a step back at times this week to catch up on rest and get refreshed for the energy that I enjoy bringing out to the camp environment. I am now close to my 10th summer in a row with camp ministry, and it is a job that I constantly have a joy and passion for. I remember this week for a few things...

1. The camp staff was ready to work together. There were no separations between the camp and volunteer staff. There was a unity this week that has not been shown in many others.
2. God really used the staff in many different levels. In many different ways, but the gifts of the Spirit were shown at different times.
3. Energy. Even in the times when the staff was getting tired we pulled together, prayed consistently, and pressed onward toward the goal.

It was sad this week that a staff member had to go home early due to some situations, but it was neat to come together and just pray for that person while they were on their way home and pressing on in their life. The biggest highlight of the week was the fact that last night the power went out in camp (and I believe that it is still out at this point in time). Even through that happening the staff rallied together and adapted to the situation by continuing with the evening and going to plan B in the programming scenarios. John 3:17 was a verse that came to my head that really fits with this week, but also in the past weeks with campers and staff:

For God did not send His son to CONDEMN the world, but to SAVE THE WORLD through His son.

God had a purpose and plan for His son to be on earth. It was shown a few times in the Old Testament (especially in Isaiah 53) and through the words that were given to people in that time frame for what was to occur. God did not have to do any of this but because of HIS GREAT LOVE for us He chose to go through the punishment and death in order that we have the chance to have ETERNAL LIFE. I know my blog isn't that long this time but it has been a crazy week with a lot of things happening, but I know that God is still in control and He has His hands in many different areas not just at this camp but in all of life!! Be blessed everyone!

Halfway Point Between Camps and Guest Groups...

A lot went through my mind after my walk/run that I take every Sunday during free time. As I was hitting the point between the tree line and the open fields I realized something that was just a light to my mind. The junior high camp left on Friday and as I am typing this message the intermediate camp is coming in (the 5th and 6th grade campers). After this camp is over there is one more week and then the camps that Camp Otyokwah offers is complete. Once that point hits the guest groups that Oytokwah is able to bring in begin to arrive and the staff become fully facilitators, programmers, and on call for most of the day. It seems like the other day that I was arriving onto the Camp Oytokwah campgrounds where I was planning for the staff to arrive. I sit here realizing that the Otyokwah camp season is going strong and that the staff has been bonding in an effective manner. There have been a lot of things taking place from serious prayer circles to training kids on how to become "minions." The free time this weekend was much needed as I felt myself needing some R&R in order to maintain the energy that I am personally able to bring forth to both campers and staff. I have loved seeing how the staff team has been able to gel together and bring forth the talents and skills needed for an effective camp program.

Looking back through the summer I realize that this camp season goes far beyond the programming, facilitation programs, and the games that all of the campers have the chance to be involved in. Some of the events that have come forth this summer have brought the staff and campers as a body to pray, discuss serious issues, and coming forth to Jesus for the first time. This summer has been an effective summer ministry wise and that is where the true meaning of camp ministry comes into play. I remember seeing kids climbing up the rock wall (some for the first time) that did not think they could make it up and some were able to hit the top. That has been my main job this summer facilitation wise, which is to belay people off the rock wall. For those of you that do not know what belaying means that is the lifeline for all climbers. I have total control of the rope, amount of slack, and in a way how far the camper can go. This facilitation has brought me closer to Jesus and how He works with us. In a ropes course the facilitator talks about "challenge by choice" where the facilitator encourages the participants to reach their limit, but at the same time it is nothing forced. This is the same aspect of how Jesus works with us. Jesus gives us a challenge by choice element where He does not push us beyond what we can bear, but there are also times where He knows we can do something as long as we have the FAITH and TRUST in what He is doing. As I was sitting at lunch today I was looking at a verse that I am placing in my head for the rest of the summer...

"Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away."
(Matthew 24:35 NASB)


Everything in this world that is around us will eventually die away but the promises, prophecies, and words of the Father that we serve will live on and on and on and on (do I need to go on any further). Each camp has been a character of itself, but at the same time every one of them have shown to have the aspects, tools, and the encompassing value of the fruits of Jesus Christ. As I look forth to Intermediate Camp there is going to be a topic about music and why we do certain things in worship through music (like raising our hands, clapping, closing our eyes, etc.). Be blessed everyone, and pray for God's guidance and control on the upcoming week!

Senior High Challenges...

Well, now is the time to say that... THE FIRST FULL WEEK OF CAMP IS COMPLETE!!!!!!!!!!!!! What an amazing week is was and seeing the campers leave was bittersweet. A lot happened this week that was truly a blessing and at the same time was a time to just pray with the people that were around. The leaders from Grace, Indiana Wesleyan, and around the Ohio area were an extreme help and were able to put together a blessed program. The staff that I am helping out with and myself kind of took a step back this week and mainly worked on the facilitation of program areas that needed various groups of people together. Pioneer Camp was a different kind of camp for it only had half the amount of campers that lasted for a 48 hour period (some of the campers even had their families with them). This camp on the other hand was a week long that provided more opportunities for worship, growth, spiritual maturity, and to connect with one another. I had the opportunity to meet with the volunteer leaders that came together to help with senior high camp and they were wonderful people to chat with, being used by the grace of Christ.

A verse that summarized the whole week came to my mind last night during a personal bible study...

"Where o' death is your victory, where o' death is your sting?" (Hosea 13:14)

This scripture struck out to me last night and after thinking about the context of the verse could truly put this verse and place it through the entire week. There are two points why I feel that this is true:

1. There were a lot of opportunities to connect with Christ, some of the people coming in also had never heard the Gospel message before.
2. There were many opportunities that "the enemy" did not want us at camp to do the ministry that we were striving to do.

What does all of this mean though (that the enemy did not want us to do what we were doing)? There were a few occurrences through the week that people needed serious medical attention but it was more often than usual. What got my attention about these occurrences though was that they happened at various time frames and they all ended up with people coming together and leaning on one another. This particular week showed not only the campers but the staff that we truly need to rely on Christ in everything that we set our minds to. What was truly bittersweet was to see the campers coming together to form prayer groups when something happened and even used the myself and the other leaders to get these groups together. Seeing the campers come together and form these types of groups was so amazing and a WOW factor that God was able to use. 

Throughout most churches in today's society there is not a lot of teaching about the enemy or any type of spiritual warfare. Even though that in scripture God teaches that there is no power that the devil can use there are times where the enemy can be used like a leach and effect the mindsets and attentions of people. Temptations can sink in and all kinds of false mindsets can begin to take over. What was mentioned this week was that the enemy has no foothold on any of us and we need to rely on Christ with one another and live in the areas that He desires for us. There is a verse in Isaiah that I just opened to when trying to find another verse that speaks truth about us as people in the mindset of Christ...

"They will be called mighty oaks, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor." (Isaiah 61:3)

MIGHTY OAKS!!!!!! The God that created all of us sees us as a mighty oak. In North American forestry the oak tree is resembled as a tree of strength, longevity, and excellent wood sources and properties. Oak trees are the most common tree in North America and is even the national tree for America. We are called Mighty Oaks by Christ, a being of EXCELLENT STRENGTH, WONDERFUL PROPERTIES, and AN EXCELLENT SOURCE OF LIFE! The campers this week realized the wonderfulness that is in Christ Jesus and that nothing can be done by our own power. Paul, in writing a letter to the church in Ephesus, talks about us as people being DEAD IN OUR TRESPASSES, but because of the grace and love of Christ Jesus, HE HAS BROUGHT US TO HIS NAME and if we rely on Him HE WILL RELY ON US. The phone is ringing for every person, it is up to each one of us to pick up the other line and follow along. Be blessed everyone!

Start of an Endurance Race...

IT IS OFFICIAL... CAMP OTYOKWAH STAFF TRAINING IS COMPLETE AND CAMPERS ARRIVE TODAY!!!!!!

That's right, after a week of preparation, training, devotions, and great times it is now time to host the first camp of the summer for the 2nd and 3rd graders called "Pioneer Camp." I am sitting here writing this after working on some last-minute projects before the campers arrive and everyone is pretty much on call. Two people are making welcome signs, one guy is listening to a Christian radio station with TobyMac currently playing for the entertainment, and things are pretty much coming in order.

Earlier this morning I was leading a devotion (my third one of the summer) and I took a different approach to the devotion. I used this devotion as a type to commission the staff and myself for the endurance race ahead. This devotion involved placing our hands in water, learning about scripture that deals with both darkness and light, and praying for one another. God has definitely placed a call on this summer for His purpose and this summer is definitely coming together. At the same time I can also tell that the devil has been on the prowl. There has been a couple of instances where the staff and even myself have had a few hiccups, but through Christ we were able to pass by these obstacles. There a couple of scriptures that come to mind when dealing with these types of situations...

• Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean NOT ON your own understand. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
• Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and whose trust is the Lord (Jeremiah 17:7)
• And again, "I WILL PUT MY TRUST IN HIM." And again, "BEHOLD, I AND THE CHILDREN WHOM GOD HAS GIVEN ME." (Hebrews 2:13)

The Lord will guide the steps of many this summer and the trust and guidance must be there for all people to make sure this happens. The Lord will guide where He wants, we as people need to have faith and trust! Be blessed everyone and continue to pray for the upcoming summer months ahead. This summer will not be a sprint but an endurance race (lesson I learned from Camp Crosley YMCA last summer).

What Faith Can Be...

Welcome to Camp Otyokwah... a place to learn, grow, mold, and enrich a life for the glory of Jesus Christ!

As I sit in the camp office and look at the welcome poster that I made for the staff this summer I look at the three words that I put up on the poster: LEARN, GROW, MOLD, and ENRICH! This is what we are really here for when it comes to working with you in the faith-based setting. Nearly two weeks ago I was sitting with a wonderful group of people through the Journey Fellowship of Students in Indianapolis learning about one another in a deeper level (even high up in the air) and learning to work as a team. Not only did all of us learn how to work as a team together but how to take this work and work in the jobs that were in our near futures. About a week ago I arrived to Camp Otyokwah where I now have no cell phone service and limited opportunities to be online with everyone. This is definitely different from the past months but at the same time I have come to realize that I do not necessarily miss it to the point where I need technology. I have come to a point where walking around camp, being around with people, and enjoying the beauty that Christ has made has been huge growing atmospheres. 

This past week has been an opportunity to grow as a person and a member of a wonderful team. I had the opportunity to look at all of the people that I will be the Program Manager for and at the same time had a chance to grow with them as a body. Paul mentions in scripture that the body of Christ is a UNIT! Each member of the unit is not working for themselves but rather each one serves a purpose for their partners. I have seen this fully in the past week as the group and I have been team-building, ministering to one another, and pointing each other in the directions that are ahead in the coming summer. I still reflect back on some of the opportunities I had to walk and run when the staff had times to reflect and have alone time with Christ. I always remember getting a walk and run in and praising God for what He has been able to do. This summer so far has taught me to rely on Christ in all complexities (even in the greatest of times). I truly love over and over what the Psalms in Psalm 107 teaches over and over, but here is one verse that contains the phrase...

Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble; 
He delivered them out of their distresses. (Psalm 107:6)

Multiple times in this Psalm did this phrase appear: the people cried out to the Lord in their times of need and the Lord brought the people out of their distress. This is encouraging to know because from this scripture we as people can realize that through anything God is on our side. I had the great opportunity to participate in high-ropes training in the later parts of the training week and I remember doing obstacles where I needed the Lord and He was able to stand right there with me. I was able to reach the top of a rock wall (something I have never done before) and I was also able to learn techniques about how to keep people safe in the air and different knots to know in various elements. This week has been a total blessing and there is only more good times to come. Be blessed everyone!!

Camp Otyokwah 101...

Well, here I am sitting in the "office trailer" of Camp Otyokwah finishing up on some things and am so ready to meet the staff for the 2012 summer session. I was telling Mark (my boss) earlier that my time hear so far has been good but has been crazy at times. I am the type of person that does love to get away at points of time to seek out Christ and what not but then there are those times where I feel like I need someone around and the only people that are at camp at the moment are myself, my boss, and his family. I have had a neat opportunity to spend time with him and his family whether it is joining them for dinner, playing games, or helping with their dog. This experience has been different in the least of words but in a good way. As the Program Manager I have had the opportunity to plan for various activities in the staff training, see what parts of staff training I can help lead or lead myself, and educate myself on what parts of the camp are where. This camp is neat in terms of where everything is located and Vespers was breath-taking. For those of that do not know vespers is a place where people can get personal with Christ whether one on one or in a group setting.

I personally took a hike to vesper's point and this place really spoke out to me in a way that helped me know that I was at the right place at the right time. This camp is a brand new experience to me and the position itself is even a new experience but I know that through Christ that this will BE POSSIBLE!!

"Jesus looked at them and said, With man this is impossible, but with God ALL THINGS are possible."
(Matthew 19:26)


This verse automatically came to my head when I was thinking of a link with that thought and this is totally true. Anything that man feels that they cannot do is limited because of our own anxieties, emotions, etc. With Christ He is limitless and He has the ability to do anything that is even far beyond our own intellectual lifestyles. As I sit here finishing up on this blog all I can say is I am ready for staff training (which starts tomorrow evening) and to witness the direction that the staff is going into. Be blessed everyone and I look forward to the next time I can catch you all up!!

And the show goes on...

I look at this picture that I took on a recent Journey Fellowship retreat and am always encouraged to look at this. This picture was taken at a youth and fitness agency on the east side of Indianapolis called the Chase Legacy Center. This facility has been improved dramatically to show positive growth and upbringing to the environment. I was traveling through this facility and came across adequate amounts of professional and personal growth, especially in terms of positive youth development. The Legacy Center had a particular section in their facility called the Youth Education Town. I was personally amazed to see this part of the facility as there was a lot of advancement in working with youth and having an amazing programming strategy at the same time of

Wanting to be the best youth facility in the area that provides the best programming needs!


It encouraged me to hear this mindset as it shows faith and a great amount of trust to the community. I continue to write this message and look at this picture. The outside part of this Youth Education Town had an outdoor garden that had a lot of vegetation marked off in different sections. The youth had the responsibility of making this garden happen with much needed guidance and it turned out to be a great improvement to the facility at large. I also look at the text in this picture, especially the heading of the description: Growing Places Indy. I look at this in the context of the upcoming summer that is ahead in my life. I will be leaving for Butler, OH tomorrow morning to start my summer job as the Program Manager for Camp Otyokwah. I just got done looking over my devotional and there was a verse that stuck out (and continues to stick out in various times)...


Be strong and courageous. Do not be dismayed or give up hope because the Lord God will be with you wherever you go (Joshua 1:9)


We as the creation of Christ have the ability to stand strong and be courageous. I go back to this picture and it says Growing Places Indy. This will definitely be a summer to grow in different places both geographically and in life. Be blessed everyone and enjoy the summer months ahead!

How Great!

Well, I just got done with a workout over at Snap Fitness here in my hometown. I have now been out of school since last Thursday night and so far it has been a good transition from being at school to being back at home for the time being. I am sitting around at the moment and listening to Chris Tomlin's "How Great is Our God- World Edition" and it just continues to strike me as it does every time. I heard this song last week as well and still had the same reaction. How amazing is our God? Really, how great is our God? I am just amazed, mesmerized, and completely awestruck by how much power Christ really has. It does not have to be realized by much of anything... I could be sitting around and looking at the sunset, or talking with different people about different issues, and the same thing continues to come about: God truly is in control.

We, as people, need to become a passionate and compassionate people. This may seem like a difficult process but it does not take a lot of energy to accomplish something of this nature. I remember hearing about a story of a monkey who found a box full of a treat and he went in to grab the treat but could not take his hand out. All the monkey had to do was to let go of the treat that he found but instead he insisted on keeping a strong grip on what he found and not let go of the treat. I feel like we are like that as people. There are times we are wanting to do something to change or make ourselves a better people but as we do this we continue to hang onto what made us the complete opposite of what we desire to become. This could be from eating unhealthy while trying to loose weight, driving a car that needs to be fixed due to a lack of money, or not getting enough sleep but sleep is needed to function in a more productive manner.

The thing is Jesus wants our entire lives, and that does not mean a chunk or portion of what we have or can accomplish. John 13:14-15 has been a key passage that has been on my heart over the last couple of weeks after reading it on a devotion series. The verse goes into detail about Jesus sitting with his friends and sharing a meal with each other. This brings a scene that shows true love for one another as well as a true sense of fellowship and friendship. Even before the meal begins Jesus takes off a portion of his clothes and wraps a cloth around Him. He fills a bowl full of water and begins to wash the feet of the disciples. Peter, a close friend of Jesus, does not want Him to wash his feet because he feels that He is unworthy to have that type of attention. This particular verse in John 13 shows Jesus saying that as He washed our feet as an example that we should be an example to others. Jesus laid down a groundwork for us to follow after and He also laid down a great detail of resources that we can use to follow out His work.

As I am sitting around and looking into what is ahead I know that Christ is more powerful and wonderful than I can ever imagine but at the same time I still want to strive toward Him. Be blessed my friends and may we all continue to follow in His presence. We are His example, and He has shown us already how to do this effectively.

The Summer of 2012...

Well, cannot hardly believe  what is currently taking place these days. It is now summer break from college and the weather is definitely showing it also! A couple of nights before I left Indiana State for the summer I was sitting around a room that I had occupied since the 2008 school year. I still remember getting into that room for my first time.. I was thinking about roommates that I would enjoy having and was able to come up with a group of amazing guys that made the "original Quad 94 setup." These guys: Jeff, Ray, and myself all came together to occupy a room that was once housed by a big group of seniors that eventually moved on. We stayed with an individual that had occupied the room but was on his last semester before he left. After he left I was able to work out an offer with Caleb to occupy the room and he happily obliged to stay in Quad 94. Myself, Caleb, Jeff, and Ray made up an amazing group in Quad 94 that were really close to one another. Eventually some of the guys graduated and some also moved on to other ventures when I was also able to see other good friends come and go from the quad. Fast forward to 2012... I am sitting in Quad 94 after it had all been packed and I am one day away from leaving for summer break. The time had come, as of the Fall of 2012 semester I will not be returning to Quad 94. I will be moving on to another quad with another group of guys for one semester. Yes, you read this right, ONE SEMESTER! After the Fall of 2012 semester I will be graduating from Indiana State after a good amount of time at the university (six years of my services to be exact)!

Now, onto this summer... I will be serving as the Program Manager for Camp Otyokwah, which is located in a small town around the Cleveland, Ohio area. I will be at the camp setting from May 25th till around August 10th, which will be a long summer session. Even though this is a long summer this will also be an awesome summer of ministry. Having the opportunity to serve at camp is a blessing and enjoy it every summer that I get the chance to do something. This will be the 4th camp that I have served with and am enjoying for the new experience and opportunity. I was sitting just a week prior to the summer break session where I was sitting in a seat with my family getting ready to receive a scholarship for an interest in outdoor leadership. One of my professors that I consider a huge asset to my professional career stood up at the podium to introduce me and started his speech in the strongest and most inspirational way than I could imagine...

Very rarely does someone come around that challenges our emotions, and that also comes to be a man of faith. (in summary)


Hearing my professor introduce me in that manner showed me that I was at the right place and that God was using this opportunity to gear up for the summer and beyond. A scripture just came to my mind today that relates to this opening and all other opportunities to share faith...

^{11 "}Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." (1 Thessalonians 5:11)


This scripture really opened my eyes to know that there is a motivation to live like Christ did. We have a command to encourage each other and to be a building block to the people around us. We, as people, need to be a true example to Christ and His love around us. We cannot just limit ourselves to just merely talking about Him as if He was a selling point or some type of fad that will come and go. This is our life that Christ gave and He has full control. Whether our lives are full of working with people or sitting around in an office building (or even a combination of both) we should strive to be in the image of Christ and His example everyday of our lives. Be blessed everyone through Christ, and continue to strive to be in Him!