The Girl Corner

I (Abi) have had so much fun this summer! I get to play in the pool and on the swing-set. I even went down the water-slide with Daddy! My favorite part of camp are my new friends Mason and Brody. I’m also trying to teach Anna sign language.

July Prayer

Camp. Camp seems to being going really well. Pray that the cabin leaders with be spiritually nourished as we spend time in Scripture and prayer together, and that their personal ministries would be effective. Pray God would pour out grace and kindness upon them which would then transmit itself to their campers.

Seminary. Though we’re not moving to Louisville, I am still planning to finish seminary. Pray that I will be diligent in my classwork, and in my interaction with fellow students. Pray that God would faithfully shape my perception and understanding of him. Pray that I would be formed into the people-shepherd which I feel God has called me to become.

Anna Grace. Anna is so happy and engaged when we talk to her! Her eyes get big, and she “talks” back to us with smiles, squeals, and coos. Pray God continues to keep her healthy, happy, and growing.

Plans for the fall. Pray that the puzzle pieces of our fall would come together smoothly and quickly. Pray that God would be honored in it all.

Another Change!

Thank you so much for your prayer for us during the last several months. We have some important news to share with you.

Over the last year and a half, Amanda and I have been planning on our move to Louisville, where I would finish my seminary education. We had hoped to go in the fall of last year, but when our house did not sell, we found ourselves pushing seminary to this fall.

So, in the last six months, I’ve made a trip to Louisville, called apartment complexes, looked for a job, and made plans as to how to survive financially without taking out loans. I visited churches, and met with friends of ours in the area.

However, there remained a certain amount of unrest and lack of peace with our planned move.

Then in the last couple weeks, through a series of events, God seemed to be communicating that while I should finish seminary, we should not move to Louisville.

With hesitation and prayer, we began to re-investigate what we believed to be God’s plan for us during the next few years. After much discussion, prayer, thinking, and getting advice, we came to the decision that we will be staying in the Kansas City area, while I finish seminary through distance education and modular courses.

The decision on our part as been very difficult, especially since we had been building up to make the opposite decision for the last year or so. But we are confident that this will be the best thing for our family, for our ministry, and the health of our souls. Amanda and I both believe that what God is planning for us here will be very important for our future ministry.

I look forward to sharing with you more in the coming months. For now, if you support us financially, please continue to do what you’ve done. And please be in prayer for us, as God’s plan for us crystalizes, and gains clarity.

Tastes of Camp

The Early Morning. “I’ll take a fat-free carmel latte please.” These are some of the more common words I hear first thing in the morning. Because youth pastors and volunteers are so important to our ministry, every day before the campers wake up, I’m in the snack shop making specialty coffee drinks for them. These youth pastors, for many of the kids coming to camp, are the key to creating lifelong followers of Christ. If I can make it easier for them to love on kids, that’s what I want to be about.

The Day. For most people on this property, action and noise are standard fare. The voice of a camp speaker, the music of the worship band, lighthearted shouting from inside the water-slide tunnels, cheers next to the volleyball court, a ping pong ball, a pool ball, and an air hockey puck. However, the day is not filled only with noise and action. Mid-morning there is silence, solitude, Scripture reflection, and prayer, as campers learn to spend time alone with God. During the afternoon free time, you’ll also see cabin leaders sitting at picnic benches with a camper having a conversation about Jesus.

Midday. At noon everyday, Youthfront embraces a spiritual habit called “Midday Prayer.” It’s the discipline of choosing to cease from all our extraneous noise and action for the sake of re-orienting our hearts and remembering that “unless the Lord builds the house the builders labor in vain.” We all gather in Youthfront Camp West’s chapel building where, for about 20 minutes, we reflect on Scripture and pray together: full-time staff, summer staff, teen staff, volunteers, and campers.

Staff Quarters. The days are hot typically, but behind the dining hall, where the staff apartments may be found, the shade slowly overtakes the grassy lawn starting at about 1:00. By about 3:00 , the area becomes perfect for playful children and good conversations with fellow staff members. While Abi plays with her friends Brody and Mason, Ali (the boys’ mom) sits and talks with Amanda as they sit in the outdoor furniture.

The Night. The night time roar of insects, bull frogs, and rustling leaves can be almost deafening. Yet in it, lies also a peaceful silence under the beautiful backdrop of the star filled skies. At this point most of the campers are asleep in their beds, but we staff are still awake. Around a small outdoor fire pit, we will sit for hours talking about the day and brainstorming how to do camp better... how to better reach students with Christ, assist youth pastors, and create an environment that fosters spiritual growth.

Abi Update

I have a new sister! I love her so much! I play with her every day. Sometimes I make her co

okies with my play kitchen, and give her a bear to cuddle with. My friends and I are ready for the summer!

May Prayer

Camp. Camp is starting soon. Pray that all the final details for prep week would be completed. Pray I would have wisdom about the things for which the cabin leaders need training during orientation week (after prep week). Pray they would be attentive and connect with one-another easily. Also, pray my assistant will acclimate quickly and be able to help me. Finally, pray for us as a family, as we begin living in a new location. Pray we will all enjoy our new environment.

Seminary. We are still trying to line things up for our transition to Louisville at the end of July. We are a little anxious about housing and job. Pray that all the right opportunities would land in our laps. Pray we would be patient and trusting of God’s plan. Please pray for extraordinary grace. Also, pray for us as we attempt to pack this summer.

Anna Grace. What a happy baby! Anna is doing so well. She is healthy and growing quickly. Within a week she was back at her birth-weight (which is really good). Pray she would continue to grow healthy and happy. Pray for us as we take care of two!

Camp!

Tonight, we begin our move to camp! As I type this letter, the packing process has already begun. We’ve got clothes, books, baby stuff, and all kinds of miscellaneous things packed in rubber tubs, ready to go in the van.

Though campers don’t come until the beginning of June, there is a lot of preparation to do on location at Youthfront Camp West.

Next week is ‘Work Week’. The full-time Youthfront Camp West staff will be at camp doing work projects and getting ready to train the summer staff.

After work week is over, approximately 50 college age men and women will arrive ready for our nine-day orientation and training. The first few hours will be spent getting to know one-another. Then there are some basic practical things to talk about like how to handle emergencies, and the the specifics of each person’s job responsibilities.

The majority of their orientation and training time, however, will be spent learning the best ways to help middle school students come to know and love Jesus. We want our summer staff to be able to assess a teenager’s walk with Christ and move them to the next step, whatever that may be.

After Summer staff training week, its time for the students to arrive.

This summer I will function as the Cabin Leader Supervisor. Every cabin will have two cabin leaders in it, a full-time person and a volunteer. My role is to supervise, train, and spiritually guide this group of leaders. I also act as the funnel for any camper issues that need someone in authority (abuse at home, bullying, eating disorders, direct disobedience, etc.). Its a lot of responsibility, but also carries a lot of reward.

I am mostly looking forward to the spiritual input I get to pour into the summer-staff. I’ll share some of this with you in future newsletters.

Pray for us over the next couple weeks there is a lot to do.