First things first. We have an amazing, infinite God that we serve. He is able to do immeasurably more than anything that we can ask for or imagine!! We give Him all the glory for what He has done at M4 Camps 2011.
It has been an amazing summer with M4 Camps.
Arrival Day--July 7th: I woke up early to get going for camp. It was also my birthday!! I've spent a good number of my birthdays either at camp or getting ready for camp. That's ok!! I love every minute of it. The anticipation on the day before camp brings so much with it!! The M4 staff started arriving at our house around 8:15 A.M. for a 9 A.M. departure. We loaded up the last of the supplies before leaving right at 9 A.M.
We trekked up to Laurel to eat lunch at Sweet Peppers....an annual tradition before camp starts. And then, we were off to Waukaway Springs. We were greeted by the Waukaway staff, and their camp manager Bryan Linkins when we arrived. We unloaded our luggage and proceeded down to the F.C. (Friendship Center) to begin setting up the room for worship. Set-up went fairly smooth. I think it gets quicker every year with our staff. After working through a few minor technical issues, we were set up and ready to go.
Camp 1, Day 1
This is the moment we all wait for!! When the churches started arriving, we were so pumped!! Agricola, the church I serve came the first camp. So this gave me dual roles for this camp as a church leader and camp director with Melanie. Also, we had Antioch Baptist and Sandtown Methodist Church come. My brother, his wife, and son Beck were there. That was super cool for us too!!
All The Camps!!
Every camp was special and unique to us. We have SO MANY friends that we have made through camp. They really are like family to us!! We miss them all now that camp is done.
Worship
We had some amazing times in worship. The Spirit of God was there throughout the entire two weeks. And we were blessed beyond measure. Chris Layton and Curt Hale were our two worship leaders. They both do an incredible job leading in some high energy music, as well as bringing us to a place of focusing on God. Our speakers were Jack Bailey....a great friend to us, Curt Hale.....one of a kind, Gary Permenter....a guy who has been involved with M4 Camps for a while, and D-Hat...who joined us for the first time this year. They all did an incredible job bringing God's Word to us.
M4 Staff
I cannot even begin to tell you how much this group means to me and Melanie. Our hours of preparation, praying, and carrying out camp together creates a bond that will last a lifetime. For Drew, Trent, Dawson, Carson, Brandon, Jessica, Olivia, Kelsie, Lauren, Elise, and Jennifer....they are an amazing crew who worked alongside Melanie and I to create a team that was brought together by God for His glory. We are a family. And it was a great two weeks together!! I can't say Thank you enough to this crew!! And also, Micah and Malaree even chipped in a good bit this year!!
Waterfront
The cold water. The blob. The canoe and paddle boat trips. The jumping platform, the water slides, the shallow end, the island, the whole waterfront experience is amazing at Waukaway. 63 degree water feels good when the heat index is 110!!
Target Sports
It's always a great time for groups to spend time together and shoot stuff!! Paintball, plo-gun, Archery, and slingshot!! Just as long as you don't start at slingshot!!
Free-for-All
The sno-cones, the popcorn, the games in the gym and game room. Despicable Me....6 times!! Enjoying camp like we all should. It's always a great night!!
Loaded Camp Fire
Smores, peach perfection, UNO, Volleyball, and FOURSQUARE!! It's a great night under the stars and enjoying a peaceful evening by the waterfront. Frizz sure can make a mean smore!!
Nights in the Room
For campers, memories are made. Late nights laughing and giggling. Fart contests for guys, and frilly nights of painting nails for girls. For the staff....well, we made survival bracelets each night. And well worth our time too!!
Survival Bracelets
What was something little turned into something Big. We raised just over $4000 for missions selling survival bracelets. What an amazing God!!
Salvation
Salvation came to some of the campers at M4 Camps. We don't have the numbers, and not sure we'll ever have a definite count. But we do know of some that gave their lives to God. They surrendered to Jesus.
Just a few words I'll leave you with that sparks a million moments at camp!!
Waterfront, M4 Staff, Gave my life to God last night, Do it Big, Shorty, I'm alive, alert, awake, ENTHUSIASTIC!!, the Waukaway Staff, Salvation, Authentic Worship, Guy dancing during Set Free (YES!! UNHINDERED WORSHIP), Janga, Ooooooh....Mrs. Melanie, Yellow team, Blue team, Green team, When I say Pur....you say ple......and many more memories!!
There is so much more to camp than I could ever put into words. I just wanted to write down some of the amazing memories that will be etched into my memory for a lifetime!!
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