God's best

When Jeff and I were talking about what you've read about, I don't think you've heard about this kid.

A few camps ago, Jeff met a kid named Mike.

Jeff writes...

Mike, a 5 foot 2 inch tall 7th grader, asked if he could talk to me. He immediately told me that he is not allowed to see his mom anymore and how hard that is to know that he is going to have to grow up without a mom. During his 10 minute 'all camp quiet' time, He asked God "Why can't I see my mom anymore?" Amazingly, for a 7th grader, he heard God say to him, "you can't see your mom because I want what's best for you." I asked him why he thought God would say that. He told me through many tears that he has an abusive step-dad that his mom is now married to. We talked about how God knew if not seeing his mom and avoiding all the hurts and potential abuse he would experience, maybe it would be better for him to not see her at all. A hard truth. I told him that it's okay to be honest with your anger and hurt feelings to God. I asked him if I can pray with him. I prayed that if God said it's best, then He could trust and not doubt God. I thanked God that he wanted what was best for Mike, and that Mike was given the chance to understand how God wants what's best for his life. Shortly after that, Mike gave me a hug and told me "this was so meaningful for me!" and then got on his bus and headed back to Yelm. (pictured, boys from Yelm)

On night 4 Jeff talk is about God's best. He tells the campers that God wants the best for them, to live a live in relationship with God. It is amazing that this message is bringing healing to Mike's life. I'm sure he has a long road ahead of him. But, what a great start!

In order to give these kids his best, Jeff is NOT emailing and communicating with home. He is focusing on this group of campers and praying for our Everett area. (Yes, this is the same Jeff Huber that left Everett on July 25th!) If you notice Jeff isn't updating his facebook or responding to emails, that's why. He really wants to give this last group all he can by being "present".

I am trying to get the most out of the remaining days relationally with the cool staff wives I've met. They are an amazing group of ladies! We have had a great time getting to know each other and sharing life together. I even found one who is 1/2 Mexican!! Wow!

Thanks for reading and sticking with us. It's been fun for sure to hear from you!

Oh Dear!

Did I tell you that Wildhorse Canyon is a wildlife animal park (not really, but it could be!)

There are tons of deer, rabbits, salamanders, frogs, dragonflies, bats, coyotes. The coyotes don't come into camp, but there are deer who frequently travel through the little orchard around our staff lodge and climb up the fruit trees. We get pretty close to them, but they stay away at a safe distance of about 10-15 feet.

Yesterday, on our way 'home' from dinner, there were several deer on and near the path. I was pushing Janna in the stroller and Deek was walking behind. I was encouraging him to stay with us, but he saw one deer across the path from us, away from the rest of the herd. Dietrich kept walking towards the deer thinking of what it would be like to pet or even ride the Deer. The Deer had it's eyes locked on Deek with a laser like focus, crouched down in the ready position as if to charge... Deek said "hi Deer, Hi Deer!" from 15 feet.... 12 feet...10 feet, as I snatched him up to safety, thankful that I didn't have to tackle the deer to retrieve my son from the ferrocious herbivore. I guess a 28 lb kid isn't very intimidating to a deer!

A new camp arrived yesterday to the welcome of a gentle and warm rain. It seems the summer is ending and fall is rolling in. Jeff welcomes the new campers from a sound truck where he interacts with them before they go on their camp tour. (see pick of Jeff and kids on truck between the arrival of groups of campers)

Done with camp #5

We have 1 camp left to go! Can you believe it? We've made it!

Going to Younglives camp was really refreshing! (hard to believe) But, I'm better prepared to give energy and TLC to Jeff and the kids.

Today I made fresh guacamole for Jeff and the other 3 families living in the Orchard Inn. It is a favorite in the Casa Huber. It was fun. The other wives made up stuff and we had quite the lunch buffet going on.

As we walk around and stroll through the boys and girls housing areas (the Quads) we pray for the campers and leaders. Janna has really caught on and last night she wanted to pray for the boys. It sounded a little like this...

"God, I thank you that the boys didn't die in the water today."

(there was lightening again)

"And for blessings for club and that kids would know you. Amen"

What a great prayer! I was so proud of her!

We are looking forward to another day off!

Pray that Jeff is able to stay the course for the very last camp.

For the love of...

My week at camp with teen moms and their babies was ... everything. I cried, I laughed, I was frustrated, lacked sleep, watched love in action, had compassion, was disappointed, was surprised, showed tough love, jumped in the lake with my clothes on! You named it, it happened this week. The most repetitive thing that I did was loved. I loved. I loved taking 4 teen moms from Everett to camp where they are shown that they are treasured, treated like princesses and celebrated.
I loved partnering with the other two mentors from Everett, Kim E. and Lynn S. We prayed, conferred, celebrated and really lead (the teens) together.
I loved watching the childcare workers or Nannies (8 from Central Snohomish County) come and serve and pour out tender kindness onto the babies and their moms. On our departure day, a dry eye was hard to find as the nannies kissed their babies goodbye.
I loved watching as the teens began to understand how God loves them in their brokenness, in their empty attempts to feel loved. The speaker did a fantastic job. She used examples of their own recent motherhood to help them understand how God loves them.
I loved asking questions of the teens as they opened their mouths to release floods of stories about their dreams, experiences, frustrations and hurts. We had colorful and conversations as I boldly asked questions about their choices in boyfriends, sex, weekend activities, pornography and future career plans.
I loved cabin time. Every cabin time the girls jumped right in answering discussion questions and asking some of their own.
All of the teens moved along in their spiritual journey. B, who made a commitment last year has decided to step it up in her relationship with God. She still had some questions that were answered, she also seems to have some hope in her own life. I focused my conversations with B about God's best. I wanted her to know that God still has a best for her, if she is willing and faithful in walking in his plan. During the last 15 minute quiet time, she felt like God told her to go to school. (to pursue nursing) She's been dragging her feet about it but now feels like she should do that for herself and her baby.
J and S stood up at "say so" for making a first time commitment. S seemed to understand the least but was like, "whatever this is, it's better than the way I'm living! I'll do it."
J has been closer lately (to starting a relationship with God) and still has questions, but feels like it's time for her to set her priorities which will be knowing God better, school and baby. She recognized that she looks to others to love her and fill the void from her emotionally distant family. She also recognized that in her attempts to find love in boyfriends, she has been disappointed and empty.
K grew up in church, but is still counting the cost. I think she feels cheated maybe out of the perfect life. Kim feels lead to walk with her now. I think that is awesome. Kim will be following up with her as we go home. They go to the same church!
The drive home gave me time to reflect. I feel blessed to be part of this ministry that shows love and compassion to the shunned and broken teens who get 'caught' in their attempts to find love and value.
So, yes, at times the girls were grumpy. They did whine a little when they gave up their cell phones, and on the day it was hot. Getting them to dance at the dance party was like getting a Vegan to give up tofu. One night one of their babies cried loudly every 20 minutes leaving us, in a musty cabin, sleepless. Being away from Janna and Deek was tough. Leaving Jeff to speak to 600+ kids made me incredibly anxious. I missed my family so much!
But, it was very worth it. It was worth it for the love!

Look who's baaaaack!

Tanya just returned from YLVS camp today! Yay. Our super'manny' did great (6 out of 6 naps!) but we're happy to have Tanya back! See the picture above, showing our favorite family activity...swimming at the pool! I (Jeff) get to kill 4 birds with one stone when I go to the pool. 1. Family Time! 2. Meet some of the kids at camp. 3. Cool off & relax! 4. Pee without having to flush. Yay, so much fun. Seriously, though, it was 105 degrees today. Hot! This week, over 620 campers are here. Funny thing, this has been our smallest group out of the last 5 camps. Crazy.
Anyways, tomorrows posting will be from Tanya about YLVS (teen mom) camp.
Thanks for listening/reading/praying./caring. --Jeff--

Decisions, decisions

In the past 2 weeks, over 270 kids have made first time decisions to start a relationship with God, and follow Jesus. It has been an incredible past two weeks. Of all the kids that started their new relationships with God this week, over half of them began that during the 2nd 10 minute 'all camp quiet' time.

One girl from Auburn wrote this during her 10 minute quiet time on Day 4 (yesterday).

Guide my life, help me choose my own fate.
Take away with you my worries,
Open your heavenly golden gate.
Our relationship begins here,
I can feel you all around.
In every grateful breeze.
In every peaceful sound
Forgive me of my sins.
And open my heart
I want a relationship with you God,
I want US to start. -Katelynn from Auburn-

-There will be more pictures to come tonight or tomorrow.

Dietrich Clearwater Revival

Deek took a nosedive into the pool today. I was sitting next to him and he was reaching for a toy, and fell in. Within less than a second, Tyler reached down to bottom of the pool and lifted him out. Deek's eyes were huge with fear, but he didn't even cry. I asked, "Are you okay Dietrich?" Deek said, "Ya." 2 minutes later he was back in the pool playing. Sheesh!

Speaking of Tyler, he is 4 for 4 for getting the kids down for naps.

This week, numerous leaders, both young and veteran, have pulled me aside to tell me that my messages have been the clearest they'd ever heard. Apparently, kids have really been tracking each week. I was so nervous about being able to speak to a middle schoolers' level this month, but over and over folks have told me that it has been crystal clear. Tomorrow (today) I'll let y'all know how this week wraps up. It feels like God has moved in these kids lives BIG time. Leaders from Seattle (Rett) and Auburn and Tacoma and Saratoga, CA have expressed the incredible movement in the hearts of their kids. It's such a pleasure to be included in God's work here. -Jeff- More tomorrow!

Friends,

It's half way thru week four. I'm survivin' without Tanya this week as she's a leader at the YoungLives camp near Gig Harbor this week. Our 'super-manny' Tyler Marcus has been stellar. He has been 3 for 3 in successfully getting the kids to nap. Tanya and I were batting below the Mendoza line for the past two weeks, so way to go Tyler. Kids are doing great!

This week, groups from Auburn, Puyallup and Seattle have had kids getting sick. 6 work crew kids are sick too, which means they can't work for 3 days from their last vomit (not sure the proper/medical way to say that).

My highlight so far this week is a junior leader from Auburn named 'Nikolete.' She was a camper last year at Breakaway when I was speaker there at a 'freshman only' camp.

Nikolete opened up: “I knew that I could have a relationship with God, but I thought I was already as close as I could get. I didn’t realize that I could get so much closer than I was.” I didn’t think that I could change." She shared next that Jesus is leading her to “learn not to hate so much cuz for many years I've been full of rage toward Jesus for all of the pain in her life and I need to learn how to love him now. Even when I have bad break ups and pain, he has the most love, more than any other human being, the road to hate will not get me anywhere. Also, I need to be strong willed and not give my body away to boys and go to parties. I need to start good habits, stop taking things & shoplifting, but start to bring money to the mall when I go, and respect my body's purity instead of giving it out since I know now that it’s God’s temple.”

Just over one year later....she is HERE as a leader of junior high kids. Our God is a God of redemoption and transformation! It is a joy to see her as a leader with younger girls who need a mentor who has been through hard times and made it out. God is good.

Week 3, a few highlights

Wow. What a week. Even with the crazy weather, the week was incredible. This week our Everett/Mill Creek group came. See attached picture. God showed up in their lives.

Also, our adult guests from Everett/Mill Creek came too. We enjoyed spending time with the Coverts, Janners, Yocums, Jeannie Sell from Mill Creek and the Vanns.

Another adult guest who was here from Lake Oswego, OR was Neil Lomax, former NFL QB from the 80's and early 90's on the Cardinals. He was very encouraging to me all week, we had a blast.

This week, there were 190 new decisions for starting a relationship with God. Another group of kids that we give a chance to 'respond' was kids who made a 're-commitment' to God. Meaning...at some point, they wandered off or gave up on their relationship with God. Almost 2/3 of the entire camp stood up. It was unbelievable.

Thanks for caring, praying, and thinking of us. -Jeff-

Sunday goodbye and hello!

Today, I (Tanya) packed my bags to return to Everett. I have the awesome privilege of taking teen moms to camp with Young lives (young life ministry to teenage mothers).

So, I made it home safely in just under 6 hours and am buzzing around the house packing to prepare for a week of mentoring/leading teen moms while snagging random things I think I'll need back at Wildhorse. When I'm finished with my week at camp, I'll drive straight to Wildhorse for the remaining days (around 9) of camp.

I know you might be wondering, "who is taking care of Jeff while Tanya is away?" Well, I left behind Janna (she's a huge help with her questions and reminders) and Deek who will help Jeff to enjoy life (Deek always stops to smell the roses, grass, bushes, rocks, statues and fence posts while walking in camp.) Actually, Jeff is doing a great job taking care of himself. As much as we are a team, he is fantastic by himself too. But to help Jeff take care of the kids is our good friend, Tyler Marcus. Tyler is fluent in Young Life and Children, so I'm confident he'll care for the 3 them very well while I'm gone.

We are taking 6 girls from the Everett Area to Young Lives camp.

They bring their babies, and at the camp are volunteers who care for their babies while the girls enjoy camp.

Please pray for our girls: J, Br, Sa, E, M and K.

2 of them have known God before and the rest of them could be close to deciding to follow Christ.

Pray that I have patience and compassion for the girls as well as boldness to ask them the questions that need to be asked. Last year, I went and took J. She wasn't sure that she believed what she was hearing to be true. I think this year, she is a little more trusting of Christians. And, she sees a little more need in her own life. Woooo who! That excites me. I hope I sleep tonight! (attached is a picture).

Another girl has parents who are involved in a local church, but she needs God to be her own. I think she could be a valuable asset to our younglives club, should she fully jump on board. Pray for her too, K.

M and E might not go according to our Young lives coordinator. (I just talked to her on the phone) They NEED to go. Please pray that they do!!

I'll keep you posted as I can!

Super Soaked

Last night, after talk #3, Jeff was asked to sit in on a cabin time for a group who had a young leader (11th grader) because he struggled to keep the 7th grade boys in his cabin on task for discussion (cabin time).

Jeff grabbed the sound guy out of the sound booth and said, "you are coming with me to help them with their cabin time." The sound guy is on Summer Staff. Each summer staff was given a different cabin to pray for each week. The sound guy was shocked as they entered the very cabin he had been praying for! He was randomly assigned this cabin to pray for, and now he has the opportunity to participate in their cabin time.

Jeff always wondered exactly how the kids were tracking with his messages and if they understood and could apply what he said to their lives. As Jeff and Gero (hero), the sound guy, listened to these 7th grade boys talk about their lives they were shocked.

One boy named Levi (another Levi!) talked about how his father died 4 months ago. He didn't get to say goodbye and he felt like the relationship remained broken as he didn't have any closure. He also responded to a later question about Jesus being concerned with the paralytic's sin more than his legs (Mark 2), that it doesn't make sense. And that often, that is the way God works, in ways that don't make sense to us and that we have to trust that he is working for our best.

Jeff was relieved. What a great opportunity to interact with these 7th grade campers.

Gero will be working with their cabin for cabin time for the rest of the week.

It will be neat to see how their week ends.

Weather wise, we woke up to a very normal tank top day. Sun was shinning, pool was open, kids were zipping! We used free time to have a family swim. We got out of the pool to get some lunch as it started to thunder. Lightening flashed across the sky and they emptied the pool again. Just then, it started to rain. I gathered our things and the children and we waited for Jeff to return with lunch under a shaded area by the pool. It wasn't waterproof, but I thought it would be a quick one. It poured. Jeff returned with our hot dogs and brownies and they were soon soaked. We saw campers running in the field dancing and doing cartwheels and realized it was our very own Everett leader, Brittany Franke and her girls making the most of the bad weather. It make us think about Brittany's life. She has really danced through some rough storms. What a valuable lesson to share with them. Their glee turned into shrieks as the drops turned to dime sized balls of hail. We were wet under the net, but were protected from the hail. Our kids were good sports. Deek ate his brownie dripping from the rain while his sweatshirt hood filled with water. Janna was protected under an umbrella Jeff fashioned with an extra pair of shorts on top of a water floaty. It stopped and we made it back to our cabin super soaked!

The rain must have been good for something, stopping fires, fun and excitement, or just slowing kids down. By the time we got back to our cabin, the lightening had stopped and all of the rides were open again for the campers to enjoy.

What a crazy day!

'

The Storm Pics

Jeff and kids in pool on day off.






No nap= crash at dinner

The Storm!

We woke up this morning to thunder and lightening storms! What an amazing sight! We had to keep the kids and campers indoors and and away from high places like the zip line and Communication Hill.

Also, during the Pool Olympics, lightening flashed again and we had to get all 600 kids out of the pool and onto other activities. The power was out for several hours!

No Family pool time for us! (I have a picture from last week).

There is also a fire a little over a mile away from camp. (see pic)

It's up on the hill above the quads. A bunch of trained property staff are up fighting it. It really doesn't effect us other than the nice camp fire smell!

Also, the kids didn't take a nap. I've found that this means that the kids will literally fall asleep during dinner. (see Janna sleeping) Last camp Deek was actually stuffing pizza in his face while dozing off.

Jeff and I had a fun time today listening to last weeks talk and revising it. Night 3 talk is one of his favorites. It's message is that we all have a broken relationship with God. Getting campers to see this is always difficult as some kids think they don't need anything.

What a nutty day! What will happen next? Pray that God will move and things will happen in the lives of kids.

San Francisco Giants Win after a tough Week!

Day 5, week 2: This morning, Jeff invited all kids who made a first time commitment to follow Jesus to meet him at the blob tower at 7:3o for the New Believers walk. He was overwhelmed at the 135 kids waiting there, ready to hear more of God's word, throw a rock in the water to symbolize their old life and put a rock in the pile as a monument of their new life.

What an honor to be with these kids and leaders as they begin a new journey with God.

Some highlights:

Seeing the San Francisco kids there--7 boys and their leader. 1/2 of the boys recieved Bibles in English and 1/2 in Spanish! They really liked Jeff and connected to him. Jeff lived life with these guys and I could tell that the leaders and the boys really appreciated it after all they went through this week. (see picture of Jeff and boys)

The Mukilteo crew had some life changing stories. We sat by the pool with Bruce K, their leader and he told us about getting some of these kids to camp. They really have some tough lives, stories that would just tare your heart out. Absent parents who still live in the home, drug use to escape it all, poverty, dysfunctional parents, no phones in the family, no cars, wow! (Not your typical Mukilteo story). Many of the Mukilteo kids came to decisions to start relationships with Jesus Christ too. (see photo of kids circled up praying)

The kids and adults have really been impressed with Jeff's ability to be real about his own life as well as sharing what life with Jesus is like. It's a miracle really, that he's able to capture their attention (544 middle school kids + about 100 (high school/adult leaders) for 20+ or - minutes!

It must be God using him! Thanks for your prayers.

Tomorrow, Aug 5th, our kids & Leaders from Everett/Mill Creek come! As a bonus, we have some Adult Guest coming as part of the Adult Guest program.

We enjoyed our 'inbetween camp time' with some free babysitting from Summer Staff girls and a lonnnnnnnnnng walk for Jeff and I!

'Hilltop' experience of the week...

Jeff says:
Update on the S.F. kid whose mom called the camp to tell him that his brother just got stabbed to death. ...the group, all poor, urban hispanic kids were devastated. The brother was supposed to come here to camp this week. They all skipped club last night to just be together, talk, mourn, cry, and their leader pleaded with them it's time to stop violence, quit their involvement in gangs, and begin to follow Jesus.

This morning, they asked me to lead them on a hike to the top of the giant hill here at wildhorse at 6:30am and gave my 'talk' to them that they missed the night before. I customized it to them and the situation they are in. The leader translated it into Spanish. We finished by all circling up and praying together. it was unbelievable and I felt honored to be able to share this moment with all the guys, especially Enrique, who flew out a few hours later to re-join his mother during the tragedy. Pray for these guys! (Pictured above Enrique and his leader, Jay; Jeff and the group from SF on top of the hill.)

(Tanya speaking now) The talk that Jeff was gave them on the hill was the one about Levi and how he was an unlikey type of person Jesus would invite to follow him. I wonder how many of the boys feel like that? Maybe it's something they've done, or something they've thought, or maybe just that they come from a long line of poverty. What an honor to be part of these kids lives and to help give answers at a time when they have so many questions!

Thanks for praying for these kids.

Working on a fresh routine

Well, we've been here for a calendar week. We have 1.5 camps beneath our belt! We can predict every meal and know exactly where the umbrella stroller gets stuck in the gravel walkway. Now we just need to work on keeping it fresh.
Jeff works on keeping it fresh by listening to the recordings of his talks and adjusting them to make them more effective.
The kids find new treasures in the dollar store bin of toys. We go to the pool almost everyday, we watch the campers,hang out with other families. We play a lot. Today we played hide and seek in the dining area and bathroom of the Sarspirilla (icecream/snack shack). It took this adorable picture while Janna and Deek were hiding in the shower.
Tanya is noticing that her clothes are fitting a little tigher than they were a week ago. YIKES. Time to make sure I get the exercise I need, and not the extra calories!
What happened to her goal of staying spiritually and physically fit? Better freshen those up too.
The different groups of kids keep it very fresh. This week we have kids from Sitka, Alaska, Othello/Basin City, Connell, Gig Harbor, Pullman, Edmonds/Meadowdale, Mukilteo, North Whatcom County, Bellingham,Centralia in WA and Corvallis and Willamette Areas in Oregon as well as Paradise and San Francisco-greater Mission district, CA.
Quite a mix of kids. Some kids come from Mukilteo, while others have migrant farm workers for parents, while another kid from the Mission district found out that his brother (who was supposed to come to camp too) was just stabbed (and died). My stereotypical guess would be that it's gang related by looking at the close knit group of Latino boys who are here in his cabin. Please pray for the rest of his cabin. The brother who was here at camp is going home while his friends stay behind. His leaders need your prayers to know what to say to these young boys. I am so very glad they are here in this safe place. God can do something amazing in their lives and change them forever!
The amount of time we spend with Jeff could be better. We were able to walk to breakfast with him and he walked us back to the cabin one time. We were hoping to hang out with him during free time, but he was dealing with the tragedy from California and preparing for his talks. We won't pull him away from that! Maybe tomorrow we'll get some QT! It's hard to share your Dad/husband with 600+ kids/leaders/assignment team.