It's a family matter....

Tuesday of workcamp is usually the day that the comfort level of your new group transitions from the awkward newness of not knowing each other to the point of finding common experiences, things to talk about making personal connections and starting to fell more like a family. You watch out for one another, take care of each other and make sure that every one is doing well. Last night after writing the blog post I fixed Owen's shoe for him. He had the unfortunate luck to have a blow out of his work boot yesterday during the day so I thought I would use our resources of Duct tape to fix it for him so he would still have it to wear. The only problem......Now he wants me to "fix" his other one to match!

Owen in his "perfect workcamper look"

Owen with his "new" shoe

When you start to become more like family then friends an amazingly wonderful thing starts to happen. People around you feel more and more comfortable to be themselves, which leads to joking together, having fun and playing pranks on each other.
Doug has taken it upon himself to be the "wrist band police" here at the camp. Each camper has to wear a wrist band that indicates whether they are a youth or an adult for the shower times that have been assigned. Blue for adults and yellow for youth. Other kids gather around as he calls out to people as they walk by...."Hey! I need to see your wrist band!" Some don't take him seriously at all and others take him way too seriously.

Doug -- Wristband Police

I have also gotten close to my "crew" of Red Shirt staff and we have become our own little family of 15. Today, I became the focus of the family prank. I brought with me to camp some toys. (Shocker, I know!) A Penguin that shoots things out of it's nose, and 4 squishy fuzzy balls and while I was out for some a little free time for a half an hour someone kidnapped 2 of my fuzzy friends. After the initial shock of finding them missing and reading the ransom note that was left in the office, I decided to give in to the demands and give them the money! I left a note with the money and was able to get my friends back! Thank goodness!

Percival Penguin and his Furry friend with ransom note for other furry friends

My note in response to my kidnappers

 Gordan spent the afternoon hanging out and joking with Doug, Nita, and the kids. Nita spent some time goofing off with the youth after getting back from their day of work. A little comic relief goes a long way in renewal!

Gordon and Becky

Maya with her snacks

Family fun at camp

As the day comes to a close we reflect on God sightings for the day, how we connected with others, what were the transforming moments of the day. We also feel a new sense of family and belonging here with new friends, crew members, and the residents we have been serving this week. God is most definitely in this place and with these people and in us.