Last Blog from Beach Camp 09

We have just finished out last worship service with Matt Edwards. What an amazing few days it has been listening to him preach. He has put forth God's word in a way that everyone can understand. He hasn't shied away from giving our students the hard lessons we all need. He has really challenged our students all week to put others before themselves. Hold them to it when they get home. Tonight he preached from Luke using the woman who washed Jesus's feet with her tears and hair. He taught our students about God's forgiveness no matter what we have done, so after some hard preaching earlier in the week. He finished up with an equally strong message about God's love and forgiveness for all of us. There has been a strong evangelical push every night, and I know of at least one student from our group who has accepted Christ this week, and I think that many of our students have made other decisions. Please be sure to visit with them about that aspect of camp when they get home.

After the wonderful exhibitions of synchronized swimming, we enjoyed this morning (take a look at the pictures of it) we settled down with some free time this afternoon. Some went swimming in the gulf for the last time. Others just enjoyed the beach. A few sponsors and students took the two mile trek to town for souvenirs. It is a lot easier walking back on the beach than down the highway. We had a barbecue chicken dinner, worship, and now students are in their small groups for the last time. After that we have to clean our dorm, load up and head out. The busses should be here around midnight. As you can tell from the pictures, it may take us that long to pack up and clean up. Our students have always left the dorms cleaner than we found them. The staff here was amazed at what a great job your students did cleaning up. They said most just walk out and leave it. Some of the staff are not Christians, so this is another way we can witness to them.

Today's pictures are mostly early morning work out, synchronized swimming, worship services, and free time on the beach. We are looking forward to being home Friday night. See you then!

Beach Camp Day 4 Morning

As you can tell, the morning comes early for some of our students. We were down to four this morning, but they were brave souls. They endured another workout from the fitness trainer. Jase joined in with them this morning. I'm not sure he is going to be able to sit on the bus for 23 hours going home. The students had their synchronized swimming contest this morning. You would be proud of our football players. The girls did a great job. I think they are the brains behind the routines. Kade did a great job on his routine. We will have pictures this evening. We are enjoying our last day in Florida. The busses come for us at midnight. I hope we can be packed by then.

Update on Stacey-She is feeling much better and waiting for the doctor to release her.

Beach Camp Day 3

Greetings from HOT and sunny Florida,

We are finishing up Day 3 of camp. Today started off just like yesterday. Jase and a much smaller number of our students went out for early morning workout. According to them, they had to take a long, grueling 2 mile run on the beach. It sure didn't look like two miles to me, but I wasn't running. Then they had a certified fitness instructor take over for the rest of the work out. Now, that was a hard workout! I got tired watching it. Camp Pastor, Matt Edwards gave them a short devotional on the beach as they chugged all the water they could find. After a great breakfast of pancakes and sausage, we went to morning worship. Everyone there really got into the music. Matt gave a short sermon continuing the series on putting Christ first in your life and you second. Students then went for their small group discussion times. After that it was time to start practicing for the synchronized swimming contest. That ought to be exciting. The boys are really enjoying it. They will present their routines tomorrow in a competition. Everyone is really enjoying their free time this year. Jase took the seniors on a snorkeling and dolphin watching trip. I think they had a great time. I will try to get pics up tomorrow. Tami, Trisha, and Randy kept the beach safe today pulling duty out on the hot sand. Some of the students walked in to town to shop a little. Others just spent the afternoon enjoying the pools.

After supper, we had a great worship time with Ross King. Matt then gave them a wonderful message about denying themselves, putting Christ first in their lives and being willing to do whatever God asks them to do in their lives, even if it means suffering for Him. He really has a great way of challenging the students to quit thinking "It's all about me". He even challenged some of us older adults to do the same. We don't realize how we let self creep into our lives and keep us from doing what Christ has planned for us. Students are doing "Late Night" right now, then we are going to have our church time. If Riki has time for me to use her card, I will try to get more than one post tomorrow. The busses arrive at midnight tomorrow night to bring us home. Please be in prayer for a safe journey home.

Update on Stacey--They are keeping her in the hospital again tonight for observation. They just want to be sure that she is not still losing blood. They think that she will be able to go on with her vacation in Orlando next week. I will try to keep you updated on her condition.

Beach Camp Day 2

Today started early for our football and volleyball players. Jase chased them out of bed early this morning for a work out on the beach. Matt Edwards, camp pastor put them through their routine. Riley Davis introduced them to an ab workout that was described by Miles Caviness as exhausting. They came back in covered in sand and sweat complaining that two-a-days had already started

After a shower, breakfast, and Quiet Time, we headed to Twist and Shout, a morning devotion time with music. Students then went to small group time for reflection on the message. At 11:00AM, the fun began on the beach with a sand castle building contest between the small groups. They were quite impressive. We will find out who won later this week. Our students pitched in and served a hamburger lunch to everyone after the contest, and our adults cleaned the tables in the cafeteria.

Then it was back to the beach for some free time. Students enjoyed swimming in the ocean and competing in a three on three basketball tournament. Seminole won the tournament. The boys looked a little rough after competing in the hot sun and humidity. They spent a little time in the pools to cool off. Now, after supper we are off to worship with the 500 other students that are here with us.

Please be patient with us, we are having a hard time technology wise (it wouldn't be any fun without technology problems) Without Riki Jones, there would be no blog. She has graciously let us use her air card to post the blog. We will try to post as often as we can.

Beach Camp Day 1

Yeah! We're Here!

After a long bus ride, we arrived in Panama City Beach yesterday afternoon. Everyone was tired, but excited. We got settled in to the Jerusalem Dorm. Girls got upstairs this year. This is an amazing place. You can see the ocean across the street from almost anywhere. The kids were tired. The Jr. High bus tried to stay up all night, but the HS bus was more sophisticated and mature. They slept. We had breakfast in Mississippi and lunch in Alabama. We appreciate the church furnishing us with great transportation. After settling in, we had supper, then we met our small groups for the first time. Each of our students are divided up amongst the other 500 students. Our camp pastor was delayed by weather, so he got in late, but we had some great music. After that we had our first church time on the beach, Jase shared with our students in a beautiful evening setting. Finally, we get to go to bed.

Youth Camp 2009

Please pray for all students and sponsors going to Beach Camp 2009. We will be leaving Sunday, July 26th at 6:00 pm and will be returning home late Friday evening, July 31st.

Please pray for the camp pastor, Matt Edwards, and the camp worship leader, Ross King. We will be adding pictures and posting daily about our camp experience. Thank you for your prayers.