Junior High #2

Let me begin by saying, this past summer was just what the Healer ordered.

The continued theme was “Detox,” and each age group was able to see that there are toxins tainting our hearts, and they are meant to be extracted. Throughout the eight camps King Solomon Christian Camp hosted during the summer of 2013, God placed an opportunity for students and staff to lay aside their sin and engage in the detox experience.

Check out this fine group!

The plane flew right over the camp bringing written challenges and candy.

The last camp for the summer was the second Junior High group. Their energy, their smiles, and their hearts were inspirational to say the least. They jumped right in to the routine of camp as they arrived on Monday morning. One of the most unique events of the summer occurred on Monday: a special plane delivery! Students gathered at the edge of the field and waited for their written challenges, which were dropped from the plane. After they gathered their team’s challenge, they rotated through stations as family groups. Later that afternoon, they played kickball where they were sprayed with water at each based and had to slide on a wet tarp to make it home. In chapel that evening the speaker presented two “Big Truths,” which included: 1) Our culture is full of moral filth and 2) God’s Word is the good we need. The reality is if you choose to follow Christ, you choose to go against the flow. The students were challenged to read the book of James for the week.

 

Tuesday ushered in more camp excitement. As a part of missions, students were able to watch a video exploring the beginnings of a church plant in Kansas City. After lunch they had a special session in the chapel on purity. Following the special session, campers embarked on the journey of “examination.” The day’s theme was “examine” and in order to solidify it, students rotated through “examine” stations. Those stations included having students’ faces painted with the words, “God loves me.” The letters were written backwards so when they looked in the mirror they could read the message themselves. Another station challenged family groups to get over a rope tied between two trees without touching the rope. This encouraged teams to work together and lift one another up. There was a blindfolded challenge as well as a creativity station for students. To cool off, a water slide was set up for recreation. When campers returned from swimming, they had supper and headed to chapel for the main session. The message focused on James 1:2, pressing students to consider their trials as opportunities to grow. Trials make us stronger because they create perseverance, our enemy is the one who tempts us, and anger is bad news were the three “Big Truths.”

 

On Wednesday morning during quiet time, we read James 3, which targeted taming the tongue. Our words represent Christ, and they will always be part of life. The Junior High students already know the impact words can have, and they focused on how to use their words to edify others. Our family group connected with the phrase “attitude of gratitude.” The day also emphasized James 2:14, which says, “What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?” In order to apply that verse, students dedicated part of their afternoon to give back to the camp. Service projects included painting benches near the campfire, cleaning up limbs from the tree that fell, and organizing supplies in the activity center. That evening’s message directed campers towards the “Big Truths” of: 1) God’s love for us is unchanging, 2) Faith without actions can’t save us, and 3) Actions alone can’t save us.

During the last full day of camp, the campers presented the long-awaited choreographed performances. Each family group was assigned a song, and they performed in the chapel on Thursday. It was definitely a highlight of the entire week as each camper danced to uplifting music. Later that afternoon, kids and staff joined together for a water balloon fight. At the conclusion of rec time, students went to the pool, ate supper, and got settled in for one last evening session. The theme for the day was “steer.” The “Big Truths” presented were: 1) Our tongue is our steering wheel; our words direct what we do with the rest of our lives, 2) Our tongue is meant for worshiping God, and 3) Our tongue is not meant to harm others.

 

 When the main session ended, family groups met and adjourned to a special session around the burn barrel. Throughout the week, campers had the opportunity to write on a piece of paper things they were holding back. They placed the pieces of paper in a barrel and the paper was burned to symbolize the new creation we become when we accept God’s gift. In 2 Corinthians 5:17, we read, ^“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here.” To end our day, we headed to the field as the sun went down. Off in the distance, we heard a plane overhead. Against the night sky glow sticks were dropped, and each family group proceeded to gather their team’s color. It was a beautiful scene with these glowing objects spread across the campground.

As Friday rolled around, campers concluded their time at King Solomon. The last morning show encompassed the “Interlude Dance” and a final message from our speaker. He asked us the question, “what do I do now?” The three steps we are called to take are 1) Submit yourselves to God, 2) Come near to God, and lastly 3) Stand firm and rise up.

For each person that passes through King Solomon Christian Camp, it is our hope that they submit their lives to God, draw near to His heart, stand firm in the faith, and rise up. This summer allowed so many of us to partake in the detox experience, myself included. God quietly steered me towards healing and into a deeper relationship with Him. It is my desire that He will do the same for you.

May you be quietly led by the Lover of your soul.

Leah Hill

KSCC Communications Liaison

3rd & 4th Grade: Take Two!

Camp fire always has been a highlight of the King Solomon experience, and the 3^rd and 4^th graders this past week were scheduled to surround its warmth Monday evening. As we made our way out to the peaceful place in God’s creation, sounds of an acoustic guitar and bongo drum filled the cool evening air. Serenity.  Just as we were settling down for worship, a tender little girl came up to me and said she felt sick. As we made our way to find the nurse, we chatted about her time at camp. Upon finding the nurse, soothing words and Tums were administered, and we soon headed back to the campfire. When we got closer, we heard something pure, something genuine, something words truly can’t describe. The melodies rising to our majestic God from those children was one of the most precious sounds known to man. In the midst of God’s handiwork, His people praised Him.

The lesson I learned from the little girl is one I won’t soon forget. Although her timing might have at first seemed like an interruption, I believe that it was more of an appointment divinely set up by God. She had such a pure perspective on faith, and her heart inspired me. Do you remember a time when you were “inconvenienced,” and God used it to teach you?

Maybe that’s the way we should view all of our trials—as divine appointments designed by God. James 1:2 tells us to consider trials “pure joy.” It’s a lesson I think He will continue to teach us, and we must continue to learn. The 3^rd and 4^th graders this past week were able to learn from the book of James as well. On Sunday evening, the main session in the chapel targeted the tongue. The students were asked how do we make sure that we say words bring healing and do not hurt like a sword? A timely question for all of us.

Monday’s lesson directed campers to think about their faith along with their deeds. What are some ways that we can show God’s love in our actions at home? At school? With our friends? With strangers? James talks about showing your faith through your actions. How do those actions show your faith/belief in/love for God? That evening students engaged in the message based on James 4:4-10. They were asked can we have a friendship with the world and friendship with God? The answer was no. It’s a choice we have to make. If we choose to have a lasting friendship with God, we can be saved from eternal separation from Him. When we choose to be a friend of God and turn our back on the world, we receive the gift of eternal life with God.

Not only were the campers able to listen to meaningful messages, they were also able to participate in fun activities during their time at camp. They crafted beaded bracelets, played Bible games, swam at the Solomon pool, sang songs, and had the opportunity to listen to Mr. and Mrs. Phil McAfee, missionaries from Brazil.

Although 3^rd and 4^th grade camp lasted only three days, its memories will leave a lasting impact on the campers and staff, too. No matter how long you spend at KSCC, God always seems to reach and to teach.

 For His Glory,

 

Leah Hill

KSCC Communications Liaison