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).