Packing

Packing and preparing is always an arduous endeavor. Nothing fits together as well as I expect it should. Wood Daleks are amazingly cool to have, but they're very unfriendly so refuse to nestle nicely down next to the sombrero man. Co-operation among clothing vanishes - socks, shirts, and acoutrements flee to opposite corners of the house and refuse to leave.

One more day before my time on seasonal staff begins. Camp is fun!

the beginning

Hello!

The heat of the summer is slowly fading from the Northern woods of Michigan as the Barakel summer camp season ends. I have been at Camp Barakel for fourteen weeks. Camp Barakel is a camping ministry that was founded in the 1940's. Over the past sixty years, it has grown from a summer camp for a youth group into a year-round ministry for children, youth, and adults – hosting more than 10,000 people a year as they proclaim the truth of God's glory. This was my third summer at Barakel. I had previously been a part of the YAPS program and a counselor. My official role this summer was as a member of the summer leadership team. Among other jobs, I supervised the East Side Trading Post, did one-on-ones with summer staff, and worked as Lee Brown's program assistant.

My duties were often behind-the-scenes, which sometimes made it difficult to see the smaller contributions adding up to a whole. Yet God continually blessed me with moments of glory – the dazzling sight of hundreds of campers spread out across the East Side with their Bibles in their laps, joyous singing with the summer staff, melodious voices raised in praise at chapel, and hope-filled whispers at firebowl of lessons learned and praises to God.

Seasonal staff are a group – or a couple of individuals- who stay at Barakel to work the retreat seasons but are not on full-time staff. The work will be similar to what I've done this summer. I will continue to work with Lee Brown as well as spending time running the laundry, ranges, Trading Post, and doing massive amounts of cleaning.

“Our mission is to give a thoroughly Biblical declaration of the glories of God among the entire Barakel community, with a view to gathering worshipers who magnify God through the gladness of radically obedient lives. All to the glory of God!” - Camp Barakel's mission statement