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We were sitting in the office a few weeks ago eating lunch and talking about camp stories. Most of our office staff have worked at a sites once upon a time and love sharing kid stories.
As we went around the room somehow it came up that I often mend my kids' clothes when they come into camp all torn up from playing. Mike, our administrator looked at me and said "Thats a GREAT kid story, you should write about it!" So taking his advice here I am, writting about it.
The first time I was asked to fix something it was a sweater. Joshua came up to me in the middle of his football game with the other kids and showed me his sleeve. It had seperated at the wrist and was now torn all the way to his elbow. (<-- These are NOT my kids... its a google image!)
"Can you fix this for me Bella?" (I love it that kids think I can fix anything! ha ha) So he gave me the sweater and put on his jacket so he could keep playing and I went to my desk and got my sewing kit (which I had never used at camp before and don't actually know where it came from). So there I was, sitting on a concrete parking curb, stitching a sweater and watching my boys play ball.... awwww.
About a week later, my youngest boy at camp came to me looking very distressed. "Bella my pants is wripped!" His pants were far too long for his short little legs and they had torn from being walked on all day. "Lets go get the sewing kit," I said. Luckily my mother taught me how to hem pants! So Omi got up on a chair in the kitchen and I hemmed his pants while we cooked dinner. It was very hard to get him to stay up on the chair though, because all of my kids LOVE to cook and he really really wanted to help! We got one pant leg hemmed that day, I duct taped the other one! ;)
So there you go.... sometimes I sew my kids clothes! Its because I'm awesome!
BElla
We took the kids to the Santa Clause parade yesterday. They were so cute, all bundled up in layers of sweaters and coats and scarves. It was a fun day. We packed up some blankets and hot chocolate and walked from my apartment to the parade route. Next year I’ll know to go way earlier as it was packed with people and you couldn’t move. We put the small girls on our shoulders so that they could see and the big girls just had to try to look between people’s shoulders like we did. I think it was more fun being outside with all the people than watching the parade anyway. Suddenly, about half way through, it started to snow. Beautiful big flakes fell over the floats and the crowds and floated through the air. It was such perfect snow that the big girls were convinced it was fake. I told them Santa must have brought it with them but they couldn’t be swayed, “ No Bella! It’s fake!” I later found out that this was just one more first time experience I was able to give my kids. The older girls (who are 11 and 13) had never been to a Santa Clause parade before! Can you believe it? I didn’t intend for it to be that special… but sometimes it just works out that way.
I love figuring out how to communicate homework to a kid! Today Ben, and Jason, and Joshua all had the same math homework. They were working on rounding numbers and each of them learned differently. My favourite was Ben. For Ben we decided that the numbers should be people. So we drew the number on the chalkboard (yes I love feeling like a teacher!). Then I said to him "Ok Ben I want you to round this number to the nearest hundred, so when Mr. Hundred wants to change he has to ask his neighbor's permission. This is his neigbor Mr. Ten. If Mr. Ten is 5 or more he says "yes you can change" and if Mr. Ten is 4 or less he says "no you cannot change"." Hurray for number people!
Not only was homework awesome today but the other great thing about the first day is that our numbers are still low. This may not seem great but when the kids get 1 on 1 attention all day long its GREAT! And my leaders were amazing today... right in there with the kids the whole time!
Also... The anniversary banquet was amazing!! (wow nothing but good news today!) There were about 350 people there in this beautiful banquet hall, all to celebrate UrbanPromise! Everyone dressed up :) it was so much fun! My mom and my friends mom came all the way from Goderich! Tony Campolo spoke about losing the goal to be happy and instead hoping to be GOOD. It reminded me of when I was an intern and Colin shared a similar message with us. Being happy really isnt all that great if you're not good anyway. And God doesn't promise us happiness on earth... look at Job! God promises us eternity with Him though... and eternity is a lot longer than however many years were going to be here for! So Be GOOD!
Also... The anniversary banquet was amazing!! (wow nothing but good news today!) There were about 350 people there in this beautiful banquet hall, all to celebrate UrbanPromise! Everyone dressed up :) it was so much fun! My mom and my friends mom came all the way from Goderich! Tony Campolo spoke about losing the goal to be happy and instead hoping to be GOOD. It reminded me of when I was an intern and Colin shared a similar message with us. Being happy really isnt all that great if you're not good anyway. And God doesn't promise us happiness on earth... look at Job! God promises us eternity with Him though... and eternity is a lot longer than however many years were going to be here for! So Be GOOD!
Love BElla
Hey everyone!!
Im sitting at my friend Sarah's house; she, Chalak and I are getting ready for the big 10th anniversary celebration tomorrow! We are very girly! Trying on our dresses, painting our toe-nails, you know the drill... it feels like theres a wedding tomorrow, we're even planning seating arrangements! Its nice though, to think of where UrbanPromise has come from to where it is now. Lots has changed even since I started! Kids grow up, staff come and go, communities grow and change, but as I think about it all I love how obvious it is that God is in it all! Hes like the conductor of this grand orchestra, he knows the big picture and uses us to create great music!
I can't wait to tell you all about it! Tony Campolo is speaking, people are performing music and drama, and sharing testimonies! George Strombolopolous might even be there! Its very exciting! AND my mom and mrs. Kurlek will be there so really ... who needs George!? AND George (or Joerg) the german intern will definitely be there! Its going to be a great night!!
Summer has come and gone but I haven't finished the story yet. I realize I stopped blogging just as it was getting good and I apologize, thats kind of how summer blogging works I guess. Just as stuff is finishing off I get too busy to write, and then I go on holidays and get even busier! So here it is.. the final chapter...
Every summer we end camp with a big hurrah,
our annual community night. And this year was no different in the big hurrah department, however it was completely different in everything that matters. The evening started out as usual with a big outdoor carnival. Lots of people showed up from the community and from other camps across the city. We were so blessed this year in our weekly food donations, I think there were BBQ style foods every week that we were able to save up so that we didnt really have to buy much of anything! One week there would be tons of bottles of apple juice (our favourite!), the next there would be huge trays of hamburgers, and those new flat burger buns, and we even had potato salad donated! It was a weekly reminder of God's promise to provide all we need!!
What really mattered though, was what came next. We brought everyone inside and the kids went on stage and showed their community what they had learned. Not the leaders, the kids. They sang, danced, led worship, and even preached, and in everything GOD WAS PRAISED! Some of the older boys wrote their own skit about learning to listen to God and "not Satan" which ended with one of the shiest boys at camp praying over his friend that he would follow God and do good, and he didn't even use a microphone. The audience watched and listened, and the kids showed them how God had transformed so many of them this summer. It was a summer of harvest, kids who have been at camp their whole lives, tough kids, self proclaimed "bad kids", we're transformed by God's love this summer! And sitting in the audience that night, I've never been more in awe of HIS work!
LAST DAY OF CAMP
This summer's weather provided a new challenge for me. Most summers I watch the thermometer like a hawk. If it goes too high we stay inside, which means no park, no water-fights (which confuses the children, but being outside when its that hot (wet or not) is just not healthy)
This year the heat was not the issue, it was RAIN! It rained so much that we had to go to a plan B twice for our Friday trips! So on our last day of camp, when we were on our way to Toronto Island for a BBQ and park day and the sun was shining we were so happy!! The kids rode the ferry across the lake and it was actually pretty hot out. We ate and played outside, it was really fun. All the camps were there, kids, youth, even moms and grandmas came along! Then there was a giant team scavenger hunt. So we supervisors did what we usually do, sent the kids off to play and started picking up garbage! YAY! When the kids had been gone for most of an hour I heard something... it was a sound I personally REALLY don't like, actually it makes me want to cry sometimes... THUNDER. It was in the distance but it seemed to be getting louder. There still didn't seem to be any rain clouds but we came up with a plan incase they blew on in. The kids were due back in a few minutes so we watched and waited. Then the sky opened up. Rain poured out of that sunny sky and the thunder continued to get louder.
So here I am, terrified of thunderstorms, standing in a huge park, which is an island, with lots of huge trees everywhere, and ... no kids... great. Kids did start running in and we had a shelter big enough to hold everyone (squish-ily), but then they all wanted to run all over the park finding their bags, so I put on my serious face and said.... NO! What a way to end summer camp, hundreds of people scrunched into a shelter while streetleaders try to entertain and workgroup leaders give out ... candy (yay!... um ya no not for contained children). But... the kids were AMAZING, they just chilled and waited and kept each other entertained, they didn't fight, or run away, or cry (like I wanted to). The rain turned into drizzle and we gathered everyone up, said our goodbyes and started heading back to the ferry. The sun came back out as we climbed onto the bus and headed for home. When we got back to the church, the kids clamored to get a leader's camp shirt (hilarious because each of these shirts have been worn at least twice a week for 6 weeks by us smelly leaders - gross) but its tradition, so we put on regular clothes for the first time it seems all summer, and pass on the shirts to hopefully the next generation of leaders. At the end of the day, I sat with my leaders.... and we smiled... BEST SUMMER EVER!
Kayla: So Jesus died on a cross and people whipped him and cut him and hurt him right?
Leader: Yes.
Kayla: But why did his dad let him do that?
Kayla is 5 years old and this is her first summer at Camp Victory. During the first week it was clear she was the ring leader of the 5&6s group. A leader would ask them to sit, Kayla would laugh, and so would they. A leader would say please listen to the story, Kayla would start her own story and they would listen to her.
One day Kayla (yes I changed her name) was in the office on time out. She was on a very long time out because she had been on so many that day already. I asked her if she would like to look at a book with me since she had been sitting so nicely. She said yes. We read together a book called "The Light of the World: The Life of Jesus for Children"
After finishing the story Kayla asked me some questions and I was able to explain to her why Jesus came to Earth and who he is. I told her about why he had to die so that our sins would be washed away. I told her that anyone who believes this and decides to live for Jesus will be washed clean of their sins and go to heaven to live forever with Jesus when they die. Kayla immediately said... "can I do that now?"
We prayed and told God that Kayla wanted to live for him...
The above quote is from last week. Kayla is constantly asking questions about her heavenly father and his son Jesus. She's not perfect, but she knows she is loved, and she is trying to live the way God would want her to.
So many kids have given their lives to Christ this summer... Greater things are BEING done in THIS city! The Holy Spirit is working through our staff this summer and kids hearts and lives are being changed. Leaders too! I've heard so many testimonies of staff who are striving to leave behind their old lives and live for God. One by one this city is changing, and I am blessed to be a witness to it!
BElla
This is me today. Well not EXACTLY the picture was taken a few weeks ago, but this is how I feel today. I have reached the part of summer where I need to step onto my tightrope (or whatever that thing is called that im walking on in the picture... guard rail?) . Summer is almost over, 1 more week, and it will fly by for sure! So now I need to start planning for after-school program again. I cant completely forget about summer camp though, thus walking the line between the two.
Summer has been so amazing and God has provided and worked in so many ways! Yesterday I was talking to one of my younger kids who has serious rage issues. He was angry because he was taken out of the skit because he wasn't co-operating, and so he was wailing at the side of the room while said skit was being performed. Once he had calmed down and we had worked out the details of what had happened with the skit we began to discus his anger. "Does God want us to just be happy all the time?" he asked. This is something I have wrestled with so much as a leader to these kids. So often I see leaders (and even myself) get upset at a kid for being angry, its easy to do. A kid is freaking out at the side of the room where you are trying to get the rest of the kids to have fun, kind of frustrating! I've prayed a lot about this and was reminded of the verse in Psalm 4:4, and Ephesians 4:46 that says "In your anger do not sin". I told Jack (yes I changed his name) this verse and I said to him "God doesn't say "don't get angry", even God gets angry, but he does say that when we are angry we must not sin." Then we talked more about what that meant. Throughout the conversation I was amazed at how much of our Bible study teachings Jack was spouting out to me, showing me that he had really thought about each lesson and was trying to apply it to his life. He told me about how much God loves us, and how He loves all of us, and how we are all brothers and sisters and need to love each other.
Jack is 7 years old, he has grown up with a brother who has the same dad and different mom and they are the same age. His family gets very angry and they express their anger by yelling (a lot). I believe Jack's dad has been shot twice since I've known him, and this makes me wonder what kind of life he is exposing his children to.
God is working in Jack's life and he is working hard. I am so fortunate to have the opportunity to see this work, and to be able to nurture it. God has also allowed me to talk to his dad and start building a trusting relationship there. Please pray that God continues to work in both of their lives. Pray for safety in their community, and for peace in their family.
As for me; please pray that God shows me how much time to give to each area of ministry that I need to focus on. I've been fortunate enough to have some amazing reunions with past interns and catch up with them and maintain those relationships. Their visits have reminded me of the importance of investing that time into my present interns and their struggles and joys of ministry and life.
I praise God for each of you who hold me up in prayers and support my ministry. Thank you for allowing me to continue to share God's love in this community!
HIS grace and peace,
BElla
Damien is coming to visit today!!! Thats him, with his girlfriend Dahbia.. . so cute! He's staying with me for a whole week and helping at camp and everything!
I love having people visit! I miss living in community and always having people around to play with (yes I'm still 8). So when people come to visit its nice because I no longer need to spend all of my time on Facebook in order to have a conversation with a human being.
Camp is almost over, its flown by this summer. I've been so blessed like I said before with an amazing staff! But the kids have been great too! The other day we were walking to the water park (just a few blocks) and there is one small street we need to cross. We try to get the kids to walk behind at least on leader, but they are pretty excited so they often rush up ahead. This means they get to the corner way before a leader, and there is almost always one kid who coaxes a few of them to cross the street without a leader, or they just forget to wait in their excitement. Not this time! We were walking and there was ... oh you know ... HALF the camp ahead of the leaders! They were running (and some riding their bikes) and they all got to the corner way before us. I watched them and tried to see if they were looking to see if we were watching so they could sneak across but they didnt, they just stood their calmly and patiently, and when a leader came, they even ASKED to cross! AMAZING!
God is blessing us in the greatest ways. I went to a home church meeting to talk about UrbanPromise just before the summer started, and they agreed to partner with my site and help us out throughout the year! They want to have coffee houses and outreaches in their community and donate the proceeds to Camp Victory!! While we were talking one man told me that he works for Johnson & Johnson and asked if we needed 1st aid supplies.... (50 5-10 year olds for the summer...) YES! So he donated (with the help of the group) all the Band-Aids (Scooby Doo, Dora, and Sponge Bob!) and hurt free antiseptic and sunscreen and everything else we could need! SO GOOD!
I need to go finish putting away my apartment (i unpacked the last boxes since the move yesterday!!!) Its finally looking finished.. ish. I should go before Damien gets here though!
BElla
Wow! I can't believe how quickly summer is flying by! I'm having a blast running camp, I have the most amazing staff ever and they have made my job so easy! The pic to the left shows my staff standing on corners of tents and tarps that needed to dry out... see what i mean AMAZING!
I really want to show you what summer camp is all about, but I have this thing about putting pictures of my kids on the internet; I just don't think its a good idea.
We just finished week 4 of 6! And for the next 2 weeks we have so many volunteers and
workgroups, it will be like 1:1 ratio of leaders to kids! My kids will be in heaven, they LOVE attention (and need it). Damien (my big brother for those who dont know, i dont know who wouldn't know that but just incase) is coming to visit on Monday! He came during March Break camp too and he will be helping me out at camp again for the week! yay! The kids love asking him questions about being a soldier and what that means (ie. not a gang "soldier", but a soldier who protects Canada and other people who need his help. :) Bethanna, one of my old interns is also coming to visit next week (it will be a full house at my place, but hey, were all family right!?)
So, what are some fun stories you have from the summer so far Lindsay?
Well, funny you ask that... (ok so im blogging to myself now, how sad!)
so stories:
haha, yesterday one of my interns walked into our main activity room to find Joshua standing barefoot with one sock in each hand totally engrossed in what he was doing. she approached him and said "Joshua, you need to put your socks and shoes back on now" he looked up at her, and with a deer in headlights expression said "Im juggling."
haha, yesterday one of my interns walked into our main activity room to find Joshua standing barefoot with one sock in each hand totally engrossed in what he was doing. she approached him and said "Joshua, you need to put your socks and shoes back on now" he looked up at her, and with a deer in headlights expression said "Im juggling."
The older boys have been amazing this summer, I had two guy leaders on my staff for the first 3 weeks who really invested in them and lit this fire inside them and now they are always asking about God, and the Bible, and they are SO hungry to learn whatever you can teach them. Today on the bus ride home from our trip I pulled out my Bible, which was immediately snatched from my hands by Ben and Junior. They asked why I hi-lighted stuff, so I explained that these were verses that had stood out to me and I wanted to be able to find them quickly. So they asked if they could hi-light verses too. I said they could if they showed me the verses first. So Ben found one in Exodus about the Hebrews preparing for the passover. It was great I got to explain the whole story of Moses and what the passover was and what happened all the way to the promised land, and they were totally captivated the entire time! Praise God! We talked a bit about trusting in God's Promises and how its hard to trust a promise when it takes a while to come true, but God's promises will always come true because God doesn't promise things that won't happen. It was one of the best bus conversations I've ever had!
Lots more stories to come, keep coming back and reading and praying and reading and praying some more!
Love BElla
*please click title.
It's always great to get an outsider's perspective of Camp Victory! I would love to take credit for these pictures but they are not mine. They are professional photos taken of my camp for UrbanPromise. No one is named so it makes me feel a bit better that they are online (it still bugs me a bit). They are gorgeous!
Greetings All!
Its time for my big return to the blog world. I know it's been a long time but hopefully I will be able to make up for lost time with frequent posts. Maybe.
It's June which means planning for me. I'm very excited about this summer, I think I have a splendid team! My director Camesha is excellent, she plays ball for a university out east. (yay for my children) The interns made their valiant return yesterday as well... always exciting! It looks like we've got our summer cut out for us!
I have to go to worship now but before I do I would like to leave you with this video of a song two interns from Camden wrote and perform about the body, and how we need each other. I was inspired and I hope you are too.
B
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