a brief excerpt

"If the Church's worship is faithful, it will eventually be subversive of the culture surrounding it, for God's truth transforms the lives of those nurtured by it"

- Marva Dawn

Sunday, July 16, 2006

SMC

My blog (actually my blog template) was down for the last couple of weeks, I don't know exactly what all happened, but at least it is now running again. It is kind of too bad that my old template is gone because I really liked it, but this will do.

Two weeks ago on monday July 2nd I left for Scott Missions Camp (SMC). The first 5 days there would consist out of some intense training. I was happy there was going to be training, because I felt really unprepared. It was a week in which I met many many new people, and I really experienced encouragement through them. However, this was not yet camp, it was pre-camp! So, after I went back to Ancaster for the weekend, Monday I travelled to 502 Spadina Ave. in Toronto, to take the camp bus with the kids, the camp bus that would take me to the Scott Mission Camp property where I had completed my training (near Caledon).

My first week was a challenge, my co-counsellor (Rufio) and I (Vader) where in charge of the Anderson cabin in our first week. We had 9 kids between the ages of 9-11. Even though they were sometimes called the "Terror-squad" and they did give us sme hard times, it was a blessing. It was great to be able to share the gospel with all these kids. All 96 kids at this camp come from low-income families, most of the families reside in Toronto, even thought there are also a few kids that came from Brampton, Missasauga, and even Hamilton.

All the kids at camp are between the age of 7 and 14, and many have already experienced stuff that I will never experience. But, as I was told during pre-camp it is so important not to judge them, they are all God's children, no matter how many rules they abolish, they deserve this break! Some of the best times were during our evening devotions, or the evening pool parties. The last night (Friday) we had a pool party instead of an evening game. In the midst of all the hot weather the cool pool was refreshing, and when the counsellors where called up to do a diving board show the campers were very entertained. Let's say that the Belly flop I did, was still felt 5 hours later went to bed.

So, camp is pretty rockin', I would appreciate it if you would pray for what is happening at SMC this summer, and that God's love may truly be felt in the lives of these children. I hope this will do for another week or so, because blogging at a camp with hardly any internet access is almost impossible.

God bless, Willem (Vader)

4 comments:

Katrina VandenBerg said...

im keeping you in my daily prayers.

what an awesome opportunity to demonstrate God's uncontional love!

liz said...

Willem!! i heard that you get to hang out and work with heather all summer. lucky you! say hi to her for me when you see her next. sounds like your having fun at camp. i'm sure that you're making a difference in everyone's lives.

Michelle said...

willem! sounds like you've had a really busy summer filled with many blessings. i look forward to hearing about it when september comes! cant wait till the new semester begins again :) see ya!

Anonymous said...

hey buddy,

Sounds like quite the summer so far! Glad you're back to blogging!!! HOpe you keep well, I'll see you in just a month and a bit!!!