When you think about what can be accomplished in just 5 days when people come together to be the hands and feet of Christ it is astounding isn't it!?!
During this summer of 2014 there will be 37 Workcamps, 99 Week of Hope Camps and 5 LifeTree out of country workcamps just with Group Missions Organization! That makes for a total of more than 23,000 people this summer that will be effected by the same experience we had this week and that is just the campers and staff alone! Plus all the families, residents and homes that are changed because teenagers and adults give up a week of their time during the summer to make a difference!
Wow! Just Wow!
As we packed up our vans, buses and cars on Saturday morning, these are the numbers that stuck in my head about what can be accomplished when we give our time, talents and resources to others.
It has truly been an amazing week on so many different levels. Not to sound like a Hallmark card but .... We laughed, we cried, we were goofy, we were serious, we danced, we sang, we moved mountains.......
Blah, blah, blah...I know.... I know....but it is hard not to get all mushy when you think about the experiences we have had this week. Some of it we can explain to others, some there is no way we can begin to explain to those who were not there this week, with this particular group of people. Each camp experience is different and unique in it's own way and each one amazing!
Just as quickly as we (all 213 of us) moved in and created a community on Sunday morning just one short week ago, we have packed up, cleaned up and loaded up in a matter of 3 hours and we are all headed out in our own directions, back to our homes and lives but definitely not to continue on as if nothing has changed. We have all changed.
As we load the bus, the kids get their Care Card envelopes and get to read notes from fellow campers, staff, leaders, etc...and I can guarantee this is the most quiet ride of the week!
We have a short drive out of Monument Valley, heading up Forest Gump Hill out of the valley and back to Moab for our return to the Community Church for a little lunch and an afternoon nap!
Okay....okay....wait....stop....right....there..... I almost forgot to add that we have a new member of our youth group as we have picked up a mascot in Monument Valley!
Heather felt the call of rescue when she met and fell in love with a puppy in need at her residents house while working at their site this week! After much discussion, and permission from many sources we now have this puppy heading back to Denver with us! Sammy Chee (named after the resident) has become our new traveling companion and is as cute as a bug in a rug and seems to be pretty happy with her new life so far.
Of course she was only allowed on the bus after her very first bath. Which I have to say personally (since I was the one who gave it to her) she WAS NOT REALLY THRILLED about the experience! As evidenced by the little puppy scratches that I now have as a result of said bath time adventure. Yeah....NO pictures of the bath...sorry to disappoint!
Our evening was spent having a nice dinner that did not include camp food and a hike for a sunset view of the Corona Arch at sunset. Sammy got to ride in Becky's backpack most of the way. Let's just say this little girl didn't get as much exercise as my tired, camp weary body did but it was well worth the effort to get there!
As we processed our week at the end of the night part of that was our long standing tradition of "Camp Awards Night" --- be sure to ask each of the youth and adult leaders what award they were honored with!
We close with talking about going home, our worries and excitement in going back to "reality" after workcamp. We each light a candle and add our prayer concerns for upcoming events in our lives.
It all seems a little surreal sitting in this youth lounge in Moab with the work week behind us and our lives ahead of us, remembering this experience the 12 of us had together.
Wow! Just WOW!
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