PYV Summer Camp 2019 – Day Two

Always ready to help one another

Saturday December 28 2019. Today wasn’t as hot as we expected it to be, and for that we are grateful. It might be because the air conditioners work too well here, or the cloud cover that hung around all morning. Either way, we’ll enjoy it while we can.

Today is our first full day at camp, so a lot has happened. We began with the Leader’s Meeting at 7.30pm – which seems a sensible time for such a meeting. Here we prayed for the camp and received instructions for all the various events happening through the day.

Breakfast was another great meal, but the dining room is almost full when we all get together. This means the meals can take a bit longer than we first expect, which gives us more time to talk around the tables. Following breakfast we separated into our study groups. Here is one of the most important times of camp where we sit together in small groups and discuss what we heard in the talk the day before and see how it all applies to our lives. As we were looking at Paul’s conversion experience and the great change that happened in his life, there was plenty to discuss for our own lives.

From there we went into our quiet times. This year we have given everyone a separate booklet to use at camp which they can then bring home and continue to use there for the next month. We pray that this will help to establish a good habit of daily prayer – something which is undoubtedly good for teenagers, and something which is easier for them when they know their parents are praying too.

Colin and Alison say 'YES' to Jesus. 

In our morning worship session today we had a few special guests. First it was a delight to meet our moderator Colin Morrow with his wife Alison. One of the campers commented that he has never been to a camp where a moderator has visited and he was very pleased to hear what Colin had to say about his own conversion, the work he and Alison are now doing, and the call to follow Jesus. Alison
shared with us that 40 years ago she attended her first Summer Camp, and the precious memories of that camp. She then recited a poem her mother wrote for that camp and it was worth hearing it today.

Then we met our new Youth Ministries Director Andrew Edmonds. He was able to talk with campers about his ministry experience, his family, and his desire to serve Jesus in serving youth. I was pleased to be able to pray for Andrew and Colin & Alison as they continue in their faithful work. Over lunch they had the opportunity to talk to a few of our campers and leaders as well.

Andrew is getting pumped and excited about PYV

Today Andy continued to tell us about ‘Finding God’s Will for Your Life’ and the big question to be answered today was “Who should I marry?” We know that this is a question people ask as they reach an age where marriage becomes an option. We know the difficulty and fear with which some people face this question. Today, if they were listening, Andy was able to give excellent guidance and clarity on this issue. This was done in the context of looking at the account of Jesus at the wedding in Cana when they ran out of wine. I’ll leave it to you to ask your children how Andy helped them know who they should marry.

(If they can’t tell you, then send me a note and I’ll give you his list. It’s a good list.)

After lunch we were outside enjoying the campsite as the activity groups went on a scavenger hunt. I’m not altogether sure what they were all looking for as I was manning the low ropes course. Someone did ask about the registration plate on my motorbike, so I think that might have something to do with it. The ropes course was fun to watch, particularly when teams worked out some of the tricks of the course that helped them get through it quickly.

While some enjoyed free time and the chance to play board games or basketball, others were involved in two other activities. Some were at the daily prayer meeting this afternoon where we considered who God is and all he has done for us. Psalm 103 is tremendous for focusing our thoughts here. Others were with Dave Assender having some training in using the Audio Visual gear we use at camps.

If you’ve been to a camp, you’ll know that we depend on the tech stuff working, and for that to happen we need to have people who know how to set it up and how to work all the switches and levers etc. So it was great to see a group crowding around the sound desk learning what this involves.

After dinner, the activity groups had another challenge, a more artistic challenge. Each group selected one of twelve songs from which they had to make a one minute video. With twelve groups doing this, it’s probably good we didn’t have more than a minute, or it would be a very long judging session. I am looking forward to seeing some of the finished products.

Then we finished with supper and the Late Show with Shady and Di. I was prepared again for my interview but missed out after an interview with Aradie and then a game went over time. Oh well. Maybe tomorrow. A highlight tonight was the legend that is Matthew Burns being our cabaret singer for the game. Campers needed to guess the missing line from a song and Matthew volunteered to sing these songs. He was fantastic.

Our first full day has come to an end. If you read this before you go to church in the morning, can you please bring our camp to your church community to be praying for us? Please be praying for safety in hot weather, for God to open hearts and minds, and for lives to be transformed.

God is at work here.