“I survived my first week at camp.” Olivia is working as a staff helper
way up in the mountains. Most helpers and staff have been coming here
every summer for many years, progressing naturally from campers to
leaders. They are all really nice people, and really glad for the
opportunity to hang out with each other. “This is not an easy place to
make new friends, but it is a great place to serve.” Olivia and Annika
learned in Seattle many people find it difficult to go instantly deep
in a conversation and be talking for half an hour before they realize
they don’t know the other person’s name. In settings like this MKs
often shine.
The guest speaker during “Campfire Hour” explained to the 300
tween-agers (11-13 year olds) and the 150 staff how many things, “like
food, alcohol, drugs, sex, movies…” are good if they are used right,
but not good if they are used wrong. “I love videos.” He had a video
player on the stage. But he put the movie in upsidedown and ever which
way, calling to the kids to help use it right. Finally, working up a
theatrical rage, he took a big sledge hammer and !!KerSMash!! with a
roundhouse swing he dramatically destroyed the movie player! Movies are
not good if they are used wrong. The next morning Guest Speaker
produced a bottle of ketchup. “I love ketchup! I love it on hot dogs,
hash browns, french fries and hamburger meat. I love it on everything!
He started to spread it all over his arms, then he squirted a bunch in
his hair and rubbed in all in. (The kids in the photo are the ones who
stayed back for extra ministry).
Olivia is full of stories about the zip line through the tall trees,
the climbing walls, the water activities and washing tons of pots and
windows. They even have an area where seniors come and camp with their
RVs for the summer. One of these senior’s main ministries is baking
cookies for everyone. “There are unlimited home made cookies for the
staff, made by loving grandmas. I never quite figured it out, but if
you get there at the right time, you can even get them while they are
still warm”. We are a long way from Marabá.
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