Gifts

Three days ago, the Malibu Princess took the 2nd week of campers away and dropped off another set of campers and leaders.  This is a great mix of kids from Gig Harbor, Tacoma, California, Bainbridge Island/ Bremerton and Spokane!  While the kids were getting off the boat, Janna asked, "Does the captain of the boat know Young Life?"  I did not know the answer.  She fired back, "does the captain of the boat know God? Does he know what he's bringing the kids to?"
I don't think the kids really know what they are in for when they get off the boat.  They have no idea of the fun, beauty, laughs, service and love they will learn about and experience while they are at Malibu.  Certainly, their leaders know, and that is what motivates them to get up early, get pied in the face, drenched with cold water and sometimes sleep on the floor.  The leaders know EXACTLY what they are getting into and why they are bringing their friends/campers.  For the campers, it's a surprise GIFT that they open up-- starting with day 1 of camp.  Day one is the exciting and fun bow.  As the week unfolds, they learn what the gift of life truly is that God offers them.

I'm studying James right now.  "Every good and perfect gift is from above" 1:16
All of the extras of camp, the things that make it excellent are not the real gift we are trying to give the campers, it's more the wrapping.  This week, we are on day 4 now, I'm going to focus on the real gift.  Jeff and the team are comfortable with the wrapping, their lines, costume changes, events, etc.  Now we can really focus and thank God for the GIFT... the reason the campers came that they are, at first, unaware of... and the driving motivation of the leaders, that they are completely aware of.

It is a wonderfully responsive and gracious group of campers.  They laugh at all the appropriate times and clap with appreciation!  This makes serving up this huge gift so much easier.

Prayer Requests:  It seems as though more and more kids are coming with mental illnesses.  Anxiety, Depression and maybe some boarder line personality disorders.  This really keeps our leaders distracted, and our assignment team busy helping the leaders lead kids who are not really well.  Pray that these kids would start to find healing here!  Pray that leaders would be able to work with the kids and that it wouldn't take away from other kids in the cabin.