Shen Bible Camp

In late July I got to go to Shen Bible Camp near Tok, AK. I took a few students and we served 10 to 14 year olds all week. The camp had no running water or electricity, and the bunk "beds" were just pieces of plywood. Very rustic. But it was a great week being away from the internet and tv (but I really like running water, it's always bad to be too far from that, esp when you are sharing a room with 10 and 11 year old boys.) My students jumped in and did a great job leading devotions and games, sharing testimonies, being playgrounds for rowdy kids and whatever else they were asked.

One of my youth group kids, Jake, got baptized at camp. It was raining, there was no sun and we were all huddled closely together to stay warm. Talking with him about why he wanted to be baptized and then watching him be baptized was one of the highlights of my week.

Plastic+Lake water+soap=homemade waterslide. I didn't go on it, I think it was maybe 45 out that day. In fact only the three littlest boys went and the rest of us chickened out.Four Mile Lake, where camp is at. Every camper had to hike 1 mile into camp because you can't drive anything but ATV's in.

Dune Jumping in Alaska:

Soccer Camp

Carsen is doing a soccer camp all this week at our high school. In his own words, his favorite thing about soccer camp is "kicking" and he likes the "big blue men" (the coaches). I'm pretty sure he's a future MLS superstar (if those really existed!)

Prayer for Students

I haven't been together with students on a Tuesday night for almost an entire month because of mission trips, camp and vacation. But tonight I finally get to be back with them. Here is the passage I've been praying for them today:

May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.
1 Thessalonians 3:12-13

Fireworks

I went to our local fireworks show last night here in Lander. Our church had a bbq in someones backyard and we watched from there. It just so happens that the guy who did fireworks for the Salt Lake Olympics lives in our town, so we have the best fireworks in the whole state in our town of 7000. Lots of fun. I wish my wife and kids could have been there with me.

The Final 3o seconds:

Funny Facebook Email

I got this email in my facebook inbox today:
Did steal a fly rod from you about 8 years ago?
That was all. And the answer? Yep, he did, sorta, and I loved that fly rod. Maybe I will get it back now?
(really he borrowed it and then we never reconnected for me to get it back)

Euro2008

I've been taking in Euro 2008 in the afternoons when I have time and have seen some incredible finishes and goals in the last few weeks. Croatia-Turkey is currently shaping up as one of the most exciting 1-1 games I've ever watched. And maybe it's just the accent (I am secretly mad at my parents for not living somewhere where I could grow up with a sweet accent) but the announcers are much better for soccer than for NBA or NFL. Anyways, there are still quite a few games left, every afternoon on ESPN. For me, it helps that I'm on vacation.

First off, apologies are due to my blog. I'm not mad at you, and if you'll have me back, I'll try to do better and write more often. So very sorry.

In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1:4-6

I need to remember as a youth minister that God carries the work in a students heart on to completion. I'm there to love, encourage and challenge, but not to work the actual change in the heart.