Parents: Depending on traffic and when the teens get off the island, we plan to be back at the church as early as 7:30.  We will call when we have a better idea.  Teens are expected to help unpack and clean the van before they leave.

Our week of summer camp is coming to an end.  We’ve been blessed with safety, health, fun, and amazing connections with friends and God!

I encourage you to chat with our teens when they get back.  Ask them what God taught them, and what kind of decisions and commitments they made.  I think you’ll be encouraged at what God is doing in their lives.

Please pray for safety as we travel home tomorrow. Thanks for sending your teens to this amazing week at camp.  I pray for lasting effects in their lives.

Instead of embedding pictures, here are a few links to get pictures and video from the week.

• Summer Camp Review Video from Word of Life Island’s facebook page
• Pictures from Word of Life Island’s facebook page
• Pictures from our www.oneeightyone.org website

God gave us a beautiful day to enjoy camp and our nation’s birthday.  The day was filled with contests and activities, as usual.  The Bible hours were powerful and challenging. God is truly blessing us here.

One of the highlights of the day was seeing Schroon Lake celebrate Independence Day. Throughout the day the lake filled up with boats. The town had a parade, and just after dusk, they put on a beautiful fireworks display over the lake that we all could see from the island – a special treat for sure.

Another highlight for me was devotions at the end of the evening.  The counselors are doing a great job on engaging our teens on spiritual matters and challenging them for Christ. But tonight I got to lead devotions with both the boys and the girls together. It was exciting to hear them share about the decisions and commitments they’re making for Christ.

Here are a few pictures from our day. You can see the rest of the album at https://www.oneeightyone.org/PicsVids/Pictures/tabid/44/AlbumID/517-97/Default.aspx.

What a fantastic day at camp!  With the warm sunshine, many of our teens enjoyed the beach, swimming, and canoeing.  Others spent hours playing Octaball (aka Gagaball) and carpetball.

It’s fun to watch our teens bond.  They’re connecting well.  Our leaders and the camp counselors have also had great opportunities to engage in meaningful spiritual discussions with many of our youth.  God is doing neat things in their hearts, minds, and lives.

Tonight’s campfire service was powerful and moving.  We were challenged to let go of anything we’re holding back from God and trust Him with our lives wholeheartedly.  Most of our teens went forward at the end of the service to make some form of commitment to Christ.  I look forward to hearing all about these decisions tomorrow.

Please continue to pray for our safety and for hearts that are open to what God wants to do in us.

I’ll leave you with a few fun pictures from today.  As always, you can see the complete album at https://www.oneeightyone.org/PicsVids/Pictures/tabid/44/AlbumID/517-97/Default.aspx

As I reflect back on today, I’m so grateful to God for everything He’s blessed us with here at camp.  He’s answered our prayers for safety, fun, and spiritual impact.

Throughout the week, the teens compete in a variety of ways.  Our teens are on the Blue Team, and are racking up the points through cabin challenges, sports tournaments, and team challenges.  Additionally, both our guys’ and girls’ cabins are contending for Cabin of the Week. Prizes are awarded at the end of the weak for both cabin and team competitions.  It’s fun to watch them work together.

Each day has 2 chapel sessions, as well as a variety of optional breakouts throughout the week.  In the mornings we’re studying 1 John.  In the evenings we’re being challenged from the book of Jonah.

Please continue to pray for our safety and spiritual impact.  Wednesday night is the campfire service in which the teens will be challenged to let go of whatever they’re holding back from God, and to dedicate their lives to Him in a new and fresh way.  It’s at this very service that I dedicated my life to Christ for full-time ministry as a junior in high school.

Here are a few pictures to whet your appetite.  You can see them all at: https://www.oneeightyone.org/PicsVids/Pictures/tabid/44/AlbumID/517-97/Default.aspx

As you can see, our teens are having a blast. We’re also praising God as 48 youth trusted Christ for salvation last night.

You can see all pictures updated daily at https://www.oneeightyone.org/PicsVids/Pictures/tabid/44/AlbumID/517-97/Default.aspx

Well, we’re here at Word of Life Island Summer Camp. Safe and sound, without incident. Thanks for praying. I’m looking forward to what God’s going to do this week. Click on any of the pictures to see more.