…unbelievable. When I think about pre-week alone, I don’t remember the last time I had that much fun. From making up random rap lines, to practicing skits at 1 AM, to Olympic inside jokes, to dance parties, to making things like 3D street scene, to using 30+ spray paint cans, to getting lost on the road, to dreams of starting brick wall companies, to learning how to live with such an array of personalities, I had so much fun. I totally soaked up the many fun things Camp Hip Hop was able to do together to prepare for camp. Aside from the fun, I feel like God really put a genuine heart of service in the Ignite staff this year. It truly amazed me as I watched 60 college students willingly band together and joyfully give up 3 precious summer days to love, serve, labor, and pray for a group of people they haven’t even met yet. I believe that God was truly smiling down on our efforts during pre-week.
Finally, the first day of camp rolled around. Around 1 pm we eagerly awaited the campers’ arrival. When the bus finally rolled up and I watched the campers step off one by one into our soccer mom line, my heart filled with joy knowing that each face, each life was specifically and intentionally prayed over and God had clearly brought them to Ignite for a divine purpose. It didn’t take very long for us as a staff to realize that we were dealing with a mature and passionate class of campers. Not only has God filled them with such incredible wisdom and knowledge of Himself, but they just “get it.” Before even stepping on campus as students, they seem to understand the cost of discipleship and what that translates to in college. Even so, they seem ready and eager to get started and grow in their faith.
There were several themes that manifested themselves during camp this year that I thought were unique to any Ignite/Hook Up experience I’ve ever been a part of. One in particular was a war theme (2 Timothy 2:3-4). Shannon and others made continuous references to the war that is raging at our school and our role as soldiers, set apart to endure hardships for the sake of bringing God’s Kingdom and proclaiming His glory on our campus. With that theme, I pray that God continues to impress a sense of urgency on our hearts as we come back together for Fall 08 as one army, one body under Christ.Labels: ministry
# posted by Kelly @ 1:38 PM
