Camp in the Community

Patient choir directors.  The one who can fix your hair the way you  like it.  Peace between enemies.  Volunteers. A room in the inn for you.  Pink. Pink cheeks.  Pale pink baby dresses.  Three dozen pink rosebuds in an antique vase. The hit that brings victory. A cool environment to escape opppressive heat. Instincts.  The spiritual insight to realize more fully our influence on others. The grace to use our ability to influence others wisely and for the Lord's purpose.  Getting promoted to the next level.  Fingernail files.  Tweezers.

Direct, control, suggest, this day,

All I design, or do, or say,

That all my powers, with all their might,

In thy sole glory may unite.

(Bishop Thomas Ken (1637 - 1711)

Taken from 365 Children's Prayers by Carol Watson

Marble bathtubs. Fresh sweet raspberries. Cakes that bake evenly. Organists. Wide-brimmed straw hats.  Shampoo. Potted flowering pots that bloom their heads off. The ability to breathe freely. The ability to see clearly. The ability to hear sharply. The one who forecasts correctly.  Easy-to-read maps. The patience to unknot tiny knotted chains.  The Sabbath rest. Scissors. Deodorant. Unique fingerprints. Unique voiceprints. Unique footprints.  Unique cellular structures. Green marble. 

Dear Lord,

There are so many lonely people in the city - people we don't always notice among the bustling crowds.

No one seems to care about them.

Lord Jesus, if there is someone we know who is lonely, help us and our families to overcome ourshyness and to make friends.

Amen

(Taken from 365 Children's Prayers by Carol Watson)

So, after spending a week living with 6 other people/strangers learning and growing in God, I'd say this summer is shaping up to be incredible.  The training week was a huge success, filled with roaring laughter, mind bending challenges, heartfelt conversations, and new friendships.  Nathan's leadership and knowledge was very influential in getting us all fired up and our minds prepared for this busy summer schedule ahead...which by the way looks AWESOME.  Some highlights for me would be the amazing bonding times and deep conversations us staff were able to have, as well as learning of each

After spending the last two summers working at Camp Columbia with over twenty staff, living with six staff for a week during Staff Training was a new, but extrememly positive experience. Squished into Columba House, we all bonded immediately, coming up with inside jokes by dinner time on the second day. I don't live in residence at Uvic and I haven't done a whole lot of travelling so living a house of people my own age, sharing stories and meals, created an epic start to the summer.

What does it take to develop as a community? According to the standards set this last week, community requires physical exertion, deep and generative conversations, and fellowship in the kitchen. It is always a little fascinating to see how diversity can function in unity. We have diverse talents, and collectively we are able to perform feats from constructing a log-bridge on the beach to identifying a whole array of native vegetation. In conversation, overlap in convictions has forged solid bonds of trust and mutual confidence.

Well, that was extremely fun!

A violin in the hands of a master violinist.  New medicines proven effective.  Sculptors and sculptures.   A good haircut. The wisdom of the Lord's choices.  The exactness of the Lord's timing.  Brooms.  Those who encourage.  Phone calls returned.  Spot lifters that do. Having a clear complexion for the big event.  Temptations denied.  A long-lasting unfrizzy permanent  wave.  A roll of hard candies.  The friend with whom you can share comfortable moments of silence.  An invigorating nap.  Modesty.  White Easter dresses.  A new box of crayons.  Hair that stays braided.