Week 7

This is the last official week of camp! It is a soggy, foggy, rainy, sorry day, but it hasn't dampened spirits around here. The counselors and other staff are gathered outside waiting for the buses to arrive, dancing with umbrellas and sweatshirt hoods up. :)
Last week finished wonderfully, with lots of decisions made for Christ and 2 full busloads leaving on Saturday morning. The testimonies of counselors seemed to fit into each chapel perfectly and I know that God wanted those kids to hear what the staff had to say.
Campfire on Friday night was also a time of testimonies from campers. The staff turned the time over to the campers, to hear how God has been working in their lives through their week of camp. It was especially powerful to hear one girl, who had a tragic death in the family just weeks ago, stand up and say how God has strengthened her, and to give spiritual and emotional encouragement to the other campers. She urged them to look for God through trials, and let Him pull them through.
We weren't able to get a speaker lined up for this week, so the testimonies will continue. One Alpine counselor said this morning, "I've been praying about this (giving my testimony) all summer." I think that God is going to continue to work through people telling how they have come to know their personal identities in Christ.
I have to say that I've never seen such an energetic, joyful staff. Most summers, the last couple of weeks are full of understandably tired counselors, lagging enthusiasm, and people falling asleep in chapel. This summer's staff seems just of full of happy energy as they were the very first week. As Justin said in his 'speech' during staff appreciation, "I think I saw more deep relationships formed this last week, with 86 campers, than I've seen in weeks that we only had 30 campers."
Staff Appreciation at Victory is an evening meal provided by the permanent staff that gives each camp a time to relax, enjoy themselves, and play some crazy games. The directors of each camp each said a few words about their staff and the hard work that everyone put in this summer. It was a time of thankfulness and credit to God for an amazing summer and lots of hearts and lived changed, and seeds planted. Each camp got to dress up in a theme to make the evening exciting. The theme this summer was games. Frontier Camp chose Mario Kart, Ranch chose roller derby, and Alpine chose medieval jousting. It was hilarious to see everyone dressed up--we had a dragon and a dragon slayer, a couple of damsels in distress, a jester and a minstrel, several knights and horses, and Justin and I were king and queen. It was a great evening.
This week is our high school week at Alpine. Justin and his assistant decided to make this week out of the ordinary, changing around the schedule, planning epic ongoing games throughout the week, making it an awesome, crazy way to finish the summer. We are excited for week 7!!

(Photos: Campers gather outside Spruce Lodge before chapel; Justin gives the wrap-up message after a testimony; the Alpine medieval troupe at staff appreciation)