Another summer of camp is done and done. Wowie. It's been a blast and almost surreal that an entire summer slammed packed of ministry has reached the end. This is incredibly bittersweet time of life. In a way I am very much at peace. I feel much more prepared for what is to come camp than I did last summer. It's good to know that it is possible to keep in touch with my staff members that I have grown close to. It's been hard but I have come to realize that camp cannot last forever and that is ok. As great as camp is, it is a season and a chapter of life. It's a beautiful time and an incredible time of ministry but it is not supposed to be our only ministry in life. Sometimes that's hard. Let's be honest, camp is a blast and so much fun but eventually, we are called to live our lives and put into action the things we teach week in and week out. That definitely makes it difficult when the last week of July rolls around and you are thrown back into the real world. This summer has taught me a lot. It's taught me a lot about myself, the Lord, and people in general.
This summer, I met so many wonderful students. One of the biggest blessings has been teaching 11th and 12th graders. The Lord has definitely shown me how much he has grown me and how far he has brought me since I was personally at that point in my life. I met students who were so incredibly solid in their walk. Students who taught me when I was supposed to teach them. It's awesome to see that the Lord is raising a generation of students who are passionate about proclaiming the name of Jesus with their life, that desire to make a difference on their campuses, that are called to change their major to pursue vocational ministry, or called onto the mission field. I also met students who were struggling big time. Many had broken home situations, relationship problems, friendship problems, deaths, separation, drugs, sexual temptation, and alcohol. It was incredible to see the Lord break down the walls in each of their lives.
For all of these students, it was incredible to see what the Lord did in Bible Study each day. This years theme was Connect and we really dove into the life of Peter. I really enjoyed studying about Peter because he was a real dude and the guy was a disciple of jesus Homeboy followed Jesus around, was practically his bestie, but we still see him make mistake after mistake. In his mistakes though, we also see his and Jesus' relationship restored time and time again.
It was awesome to see students wake up and realize the urgency of the Gospel when teaching on Day 1 about Relating to the Lost. Day 2 was a big day for a lot of my students because they began to truly grasp what Christ being their true authority really meant. Day 3 and 4 really went hand and hand. This is where I truly saw students be broken and the Lord at work. Day 3 is relating to Family and Friends and Day 4 is Relating to Those Who Hurt Us. Well, common sense tells us that typically people who really and truly deeply hurt us are those who we are closest with. It was so awesome to see students understand what true forgiveness really means. It's something I still struggle with even to this day but Biblically we are commanded to forgive an unlimited amount of times and when we forgive, we are to let go. Every week I was convicted and reminded time and time again that the Lord forgives me every single day and doesn't hold one thing against me? If the Lord who created this universe and me and who is perfect can offer this type of forgiveness, I must forgive those that hurt me and ask forgiveness from those people that I hurt.
My staff was wonderful this year. It was a group of true beauts who really loved the Lord and enjoyed sweet times of fellowship! It's never easy to say goodbye. Ever. But what is fortunate that many of us live close to each other and there are means and ways of communication. Nobody really understands the bond your staff has until you actually experience it. It's practically impossible to explain.
My body is very exhausted even still. Although I have been finished with camp, I have still been extremely busy. I was able to reunite with family on Monday as well as my friend Christy. Then yesterday, I had lunch with Caleb then I drove to Spartanburg to see Sara Ashley and stayed the night with her. Then today, I became a grown up. Kayla and I signed the lease for our apartment today. It was really exciting because it means I am starting a brand new chapter of my life! I'm really excited to se what the Lord has in store for this year.
The next two weeks are slammed packed. This weekend is Sara Beth's and Tripp's wedding! Then I am furniture shopping for my apartment and going to see Justin and his family and take a little roadtrip to the beach! Then we will go to my house next weekend and leave for Disney World!!! Princesses! Mickey! Minnie! Magic! Wooooo!!!! I can't wait! It's going to be wonderful to spend time with the people I love the most.
Prayers still going out for Justin and his Fuge staff at North Greenville as they finish camp on Saturday and my sweet friend Jeanette and her staff who are working Centrikid at Anderson who finish on Friday! Finish strong friends!
-kar
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