Malibu 2015 Post #1

Friends-

This first week serving as camp director and serving with our family here at Malibu was a blast.  Dietrich did the high ropes course. I met Susan Hutchison the longtime news anchor.  Our 4th head leader Ann Shackelton finally got across the border.

No more yellow skies and ashes covering Malibu.  Kids on work crew would have a job to go around and 'ash wipe'.  Hilarious.  We had all volunteer leaders last week, many of them teacher-leaders.  Very committed, and also very gracious.  This week is Mercer Is, Bothell/Woodinville, Lake Oswego, Enumclaw, Redmond Or, and Puyallup.  We are on 'Day 4.'

(The sky last week after the smoke from the fires clouded the sky. that's the sun...it was pure red)

'Tank', our speaker here, who is also the Northwest Divisional Vice President, has been a joy as a speaker to work with.  He teaches me as he speaks and we have conversations, and I sense I am able to do my job as Camp Director even with a high level leader 'under' me.  His illustrations as a speaker are world class.  I will steal from his repertoire for sure. Although its my first time in my director role, I have seemed to have been decent.  I'm learning a lot! 

A SWEET Highlight:

I joined 3 kids from Walla Walla whom I bonded with at camp and was invited in their cabin time. At the end, I prayed with them and their leader.  I invited them to pray for each person, one at a time, and before we pray out loud to take a moment to allow God to put a word, a verse, a picture, or a truth about that person.  They all agreed.  The Lord spoke to and through each kid and leader to each other in a specific, vivid, powerful way.  As we prayed for the first kid, Justin, the leader shared Philippians 4:13 to him.  I sensed the Lord had equipped him with the spiritual gift of 'wisdom' and that he needs to keep a journal to store up wisdom as God gives it to him.  Then, I shared that he needs to have page where he draws a line down the middle of the page and on the left side, write what gets him down, depressed, and the lies he believes about himself.  And on the right side, what God's truth is about them and the truth.  A few other solid things were shared from the other kids.  After we were done praying for Justin, I asked him how that was.  He asked "are we done?"  I said yes.  Then all the guys jumped up freaking out, yelling "No WAY!! That was mindblowing!!  Whoa!!!" I was confused why they reacted this way.  Turns out, Justin has a bracelet and on the inside of it, he has Philippians 4:13, which his leader Kyle didn't know.  Then, he shared that during his one-on-one with Kyle (leader) Kyle expressed that he thinks Justin has the gift of wisdom and to take that seriously.  THEN...he shared that during cabin time, Kyle expressed to the guys that they need to each get a sheet of paper, on a journal, and draw a line down the middle and on the left, write lies and struggles and on the right, truth and verses from the Bible that relate.  I can't make this stuff up friends!

ANOTHER HIGHLIGHT:

There were some incredibly warm and generous adult guests from Denver/Boulder.  As I got to know them, many knew Dave Ringeon (and his co-workers Pete and Paul), as I name dropped my "Young Life leader" (in addition to Joel of course) who lives in Boulder.  Anyways, one of the families put a tab in the Totem Trader for any kids of 'need' to be able to go on a shopping spree to buy some YL clothes.  The kids from Shelton who were 'selected' by leaders were blown away by the anonymous giver and wrote extremely touching and heartfelt thank you notes.

Tyson Motsenbocker, who is becoming a top tier musician amongst the very best of YL, is becoming a friend too.  Such a humble, talented guy.

We have 5 WC kids here (Jabari from Mariner, Olivia C, Micailah M, Andrew S, Elycia M) and 2 Summer Staff (Maddy Cooper and Destiny) They are all flourishing.  Such a joy to see them growing deeper in community and in Christ.  Bryan Blair our area Wyldlife Coordinator is Head Leader and he is flourishing as well.   He notices so many things and helps Malibu run smoother by his calm, strong presence.  EHS YL grad ('12) Merrick Rutledge is on program and is doing great, especially as a 1st timer at the job. He's been a crowd fave. Lots of WestSnoCo YL reppin'!  We have Tyler Marcus arriving as well as the Moe's who are on YL committee in our area.  Then next week, the Blair family and longtime friends, the Morells, are visiting. 

Prayer:

This week we have 100 more campers.  Next week (in 3 days) we will have 200 more campers (close to 400) and the last camp is a 5 day camp from Oregon with 400 campers.  14 days left!  Praying all goes well and the Lord moves in me, amongst us, and in the lives of the remaining/current 1000 campers.

Pray for me and energy and focus to support all the assignment team folks.

Pray for unity amongst work crew and WC bosses

Pray for health for all summer staff, WC and teammates.  A few are sick.

Pray for Jesus to be lifted up and kids to be drawn to him!