We spoke with the Mathers at church this morning. They were tired, but pleased with how camp went this week. These are the things they mentioned that I can remember:
Weather was great - no rain at all while the kids were there!
They went through 80 loaves of bread daily.
None of the kids had the "stuff" they needed for camp. Last year the missionaries went in and packed for the kids. They thought they would remember what to bring. No. Most didn't even bring a change of clothes. Some had tennis shoes but no flip flops. Some had flip flops but no tennis shoes. It has to be so hard to remember that these kids don't have an adult to help them pack.
The bus cancelled 18 hours before picking up the kids so they had to schedule two vans instead.
They had 6 year olds up to 18 year olds.
They had more discipline issues than last year. Perhaps due to more kids at once and the boys were added to the mix this year.
Several of the children had "melt downs" during the week.
They really seemed to absorb the Word of God. The focus of the Bible study was on trust.
One boy decided on the last night to run away so he could stay, instead of going back to the orphanage. It took three grown men to literally drag him back to camp. Then Cami just sat on the ground and wrapped her legs and arms around him and just held him until he would listen. She had tears in her eyes telling me...I did too.
The last day all the kids were just weeping because they had to leave camp.
Praise the Lord for men and women who offer their lives in service to the Lord! You can tell that they pour out their heart and soul to these kids on a regular basis.
