Collide Camp 2006

Now that I have had two nights sleep at home in my own bed, I am really missing last week! It was so cool to wake up to worship each morning and then end the day worshiping again. I, myself, got so much out of the week that I cannot even begin to explain here what I feel in my heart about the trip, the students, and most importantly, the Lord. We were challenged at the beginning of the week to think of an instance in our life of a "collision" (could be good or bad) and to seek out a "collision" with God. I can honestly say that we collided (in a good way!) as a youth group, as leaders and as sons and daughters of Christ. It was an amazing, beautiful and indescribable week.

We arrived on Monday afternoon and after some free time to unpack and check out the beach, we had dinner and the first service. The band was Tenth Avenue North (www.tenthavenuenorth.com) and they were AWESOME! They taught me to really love some of the old hymns in a whole new way. I even learned a new hymn, Beautiful, Scandolous Night, that has become one of my (and Clay's) favorite songs. And, once Ron helps me figure out how, I'm going to put their most awesome orignal song on here for you to hear. The song "God With Us" became THE camp song for our group. After service and small groups we had "Late Night".

Tuesday and Thursday we got up had breakfast, had a morning service and then headed to the beach for Rec Time. Rec was funny and hilarious.....somehow, David, the camp director, put me and Ron as rec leaders for a team.....we were the "Green Gators". After lunch was free time (see next post for the Top 5 Things to Do During Free Time at Collide Camp) and supper. The evening worship services were just wonderful. The band was incredible and Shaun, the camp pastor, was challenging and relevant. He led us to learn more about sin, hindrances between us and God, quiet time and loving God even more. Each night after service was small group time. Ron and JP took the junior high boys, while Jonathan and Mitch took the high schoolers. I got al of the girls since I was the only female chaperone and I must say that small group time was beautiful each and every night. I got to know and love these girls as they shared their hearts with our group and we delved deeper. I cannot say enough about how great this group of students really is.......Each night ended with "Late Night". On Tuesday, we all went go cart riding, on Wednesday the band held a concert for us and on Thursday night it was "hang out" time.

Wednesday was a little different....instead of rec and free time, we spent the day at a water park. Talk about FUN!

By Friday we were all exhausted, but exhilerated and very much torn between wanting the week to just keep going and wanting to come home.

Ron and I have worked with other youth groups and students in general (from pre-school to college!) and this is BY FAR the absolute, postively, fantastically BEST group we have ever had the privilege to work with. SCC and the parents should be so proud of these students. They were well behaved, and they truly spent time with each other and the Lord worshipping throughout the week. We were so blessed to have the opportunity to be there and experience God in a whole new way right along side them.

It was an awesome week and I can't wait for next year!!!