Oil Belt Overview

     I enjoyed my time at Oil Belt Christian Service Camp immensely. I met so many wonderful people between campers, other camp teams, and faculty, I cannot imagine being more blessed. Oil belt definitely set a precedent for other camps this summer. Six campers were baptized, one of them being Calvin Pearson, a boy in my family. My other phenomenal campers absolutely stole my heart, and one boy, Corey Moore, has completely turned his life around for God and will actually attend a week of camp at Illiana later this summer to see me and Mark King. I eagerly anticipate that week.
     Kalei Jared wrote me a super sweet letter that was wonderfully encouraging - and I will share it now, not to brag, but to show the quality of camper that I was privileged to do life with this past week.

     Dear Rebekah,
              If I would have known how close I was going to get with my FAMILY group I would have been way more excited for camp. The variety we had and the stories we shares were unforgettable... I can't wait to continue our small group sessions in God's kingdom,.
     I was extremely blessed to have you as one of my leaders. Sometimes I need a role model and you were perfect for that. I hope one day we could be reunited on Earth. I'd love to see your GORGEOUS family... yourself included. :) I'll keep your letter in my Bible and pray for you when I come across it like Mark does with his "friend" from high school... hahaha. Keep influencing people like you do, Rebelkah. If you can reach people half as much as you've reached me this week you'll be living the definition of a disciple maker. I can't wait to see you again, <3
               LOVE, Kaeli Jared <3

See? I could not have been more blessed. God is good - ALL the time.  As I reflect on my week and remember the mud pit, pool times, nine-square in the air, and all of the other fun things, what sticks out the most is the quality of people I got to meet and the life stories that they shared. I cannot put into words how deeply in love I fell with the people at Oil Belt, so I will only say again, praise God! Praise God! PRAISE GOD!!!

Here are the highlights from the week:

Oil Belt Family

     I find my family at Oil Belt quickly becoming another real family. Today, we all shared our weaknesses, and how we would describe ourselves to people who don't know us.  The campers loved going deeper, and growing to know each other more intimately. One camper even suggested that we take an extra family time to share our life stories during canteen. The yearning in these students for relationship does my heart good, and gives me encouragement. I love them all so much. I am truly blessed. I thank God for Kaylee, Kyle, Hunter, D'Shaun, Corey, and Calvin, as well as my co-leader Mark. God is good.

Oil Belt: Day 1 (sorry the title isn't more creative)

     This morning, we attended First Christian Church of Flora, IL.  The sermon spoke on courageous living.  After the service ended, Doug and Ilene, a couple from the church, took us out to a magnificent lunch at La Fuente.  We got to learn about them, how Doug used to serve in the police force, and how Ilene had breast cancer and now is fine and works at the hospital. Our server came over part way through the meal to tell us that our bill had been covered. So while Doug and Ilene had been trying to bless us, they were blessed as well as us. I saw this as a small testament to God's goodness. He blesses people to bless to others.
     Something interesting: Julia, the missionary kid from last summer at Gasconade who worked as faculty with me for the middle schoolers is here as a camper this week. She is as sweet as ever.
     Today, as the first day of camp, I met so many wonderful people! I was paired with Mark King from KCU to lead a family; his program is history and prelaw, which I found interesting.  I met a freshman boy, who I will not name for his privacy, who told me he is bisexual. I also met a wonderful young lady who shared her story: her dad went to prison for sharing drugs, her mom constantly parties, her paternal grandfather raped her, and she lives with her maternal grandparents. My friends from other camp teams right now are Vince, from LCU, and Clayton and Mark from KCU (who will also be with us two weeks at Illiana).  There are only six campers in my family, and their names are D'Shaun, Corey (who also has a heavy life story he shared), Kaylee, Kyle, Hunter, and Calvin. They are amazing kids, and I already love them all.  I can already see God growing relationships here, and I now realize what a responsibility this is. I have the potential for powerful impact.  I have to let God use me, or I could mess everything up.
     If anyone is reading this blog, please pray that I live wisely, and with compassion, and a heart for God that I might be used here for His glory. NOT for my own. Pray that I be what is needed.
   

Here We Go! 6/3/12

     This morning we packed up the van, went to Chick-fil-a for breakfast, then came back to campus long enough for team Illuminate and Tim Wingfeild to pray over us and were off! We have spent countless hours this semester preparing, practicing, and praying, and now, we begin our journey together. Today we make a stop in Corydon, Indiana for lunch and a couple of Kendal's things, and tonight we will go to sleep in Flora, Illinois at our first camp, Oil Belt Christian Service Camp! I cannot wait to see how God will move and change us this summer and use us to further His kingdom. I pray that as we set out to recruit for Johnson, we remember that, above all, we should live as servants.  I will live to serve my team, my co-faculty, my campers, and above all, my God. This summer, like the rest of my life, is not about me.  I hope that I can remember this when I find myself aggravated and exhausted at any point this summer. But right now I will not worry. World, get ready for change! Here we come!