Week Four in Nakuru

Summer Camp Extreme

Summer Camp was always a time of the year I enjoyed as a young boy growing up. Maybe you had an experience like this as well? Maybe not, but it was a time that concentrated things I really enjoyed into a short amount of time, but left memories for a lifetime. Things like camping, cooking, making new friends, outdoor activities, campfires, singing, swimming, and hiking were all things that touched my soul. Add to that the time we spent centered around God in prayer, worship, scripture study, singing, crafts and activities and I felt like I was in heaven. I believe Heaven will be filled with those things we love so much and cherish in our hearts.

Compared to those years of summer camp, both as a camper and then as a counselor, our stay in Kenya is very much like that time. Yes, I am older and admittedly less in physical shape for strenuous activity, but many of those summer camp feelings have returned. I am feeling like this is a time God has set apart for us to get closer to Him and experience the things He has for us. But, this is not just an experience centered on me. It is a time for giving of myself. I love giving of myself to others in the many things God has enabled me to do. I love it because I know it pleases God and there is a blessing inside for everyone, every time.

The most special part of summer camp was meeting new people and making friends. Friends are the most important part of living this life of God, no matter where we are or how old we get. It is important to God as well, since he has a great investment in us, to be our friend and for us, to be his friends. Our friendship with others is a gage for us to see where our friendship with God is. How we make friends and treat friends is an indicator of our well being in relationship with God. John says, "If we don't love our brother or sister, we don't love God." So loving those who are walking in this life with us and loving those God brings into our lives is primary in our learning process of loving with God's love.

Once you met new people you start developing friendships through all the activities you do together. 

Guys bunked together in a cabin or tent while the girls bunked together in separate areas. There were several cabins or tents and we were all grouped together by group names. Sometimes we had tribal names, woodland names or names of elements, spiritual or earthly to define us. The week was divided into thematic chapters for Biblical study and the end of our stay was highlighted with the overall theme and a large celebration. There was never a boring moment as we were deeply involved in each others lives throughout the day and sometimes through the night. Slipping out of the cabin and raiding the girl’s area held a certain unique interest to boys. The girls enjoyed retaliating as well. Each person had a part of the cabin group and held a value as part of that group.

Games and activities were always filled with some competition, bravery, tests of strength and some level of foolishness. You had to show off until you were satisfied those you were trying to impress recognized you. Of course, that happens out of summer camp as well. Do we ever grow out of that?

Eating together was another enjoyable and memorable event. Not only did we get a chance to cook, wash dishes and server others, we got to learn how to slurp Jello squares in one swallow and blow milk out of our noses as we laughed and joked with each other. Memories like that are quite endearing. And there was the occasional bean sucked up the nose as well. It was a time for connecting with others outside of your cabin or tent group and aligning your self with everyone else. Daily schedules and event announcements were made and the whole of the summer camp staff and campers were together in one place.

There were talent show moments around the campfires at night. Most often a recap of the day and stories were told of events that transpired while the occasional “ghost story” slipped in from time to time. Sitting by the fire, singing songs, leaning against your friends and listening to people share brought closeness you felt designed by God. It had to be a special time for the disciples and Christ as they traveled and sat around the fire to eat and talk each night.

There were occasions where we got real serious and sad also. Like the time one of our friends might have been injured or even killed. Accidents of life don’t have a defined time in our daily schedules but when they occur they demand our attention.  There were moments like that, both as a camper and especially as a counselor, where you struggle to understand the purposes of God. A deep inspection of those spiritual matters inward and outward takes place. It causes us to get closer to each other and God.

When the time to leave grew close at hand, we were saddened at the thoughts of leaving our new friends and wondering if they would be there next year. An exchange of addresses and phone numbers transpired the morning of our departures. Plans to get together again were chatted about. Crying was the common sight. Hugs, kisses and handshakes were exchanged as we piled into our respective vehicles. The ride home was a long and reflective one. Hearts ached and thoughts whirled through our minds as our hearts were torn a little from the separation of those new friends we made during the week. It was a hard thing to do. It was a bitter-sweet experience that embedded memories for a lifetime.

As I write about summer camp there is the sound of kids playing outside, hammering of nails, sawing of wood and people entwining there lives together through the activities of daily life with one another. It’s the daily living together that I experienced at summer camp that propelled me into this way of living I now live. I have my best loved friends around me, all wanting the life of God and living it with me. I have new friends who are going to tear holes in my heart when we have to leave. I have memories built on the activities we have shared together and God has changed my life forever with the opportunities He has given us to blend our lives together inside of Christ.

Three more weeks and we will be crying, hugging and saying goodbye to one another. We will be piling into the vehicle, speeding off to the airport and spending hours riding back to our homes while we reminisce about our new friends and the time we have had together.

Our hearts will be thoroughly tenderized as we meet our life-friends at home and are welcomed back into the lives and homes of the village. Our children, friends and housemates will become the main emphasis of our lives again and God will have changed them as well. We will walk with God together and look towards the time where we will all be together in Heavenly places for all time. Until then, we will have to suffice with this summer camping experience to get us by.

And then there is next year . . .