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!!