there were times when i wondered whether the camping trip was worth all the effort and frustration...in many ways its ALOT more work. not just for those who are planning it, but for the counsellors in general. last year i remember saying in a sermon that i now know what it feels like to be a parent. this camping trip was similar...actually, someone else also told me they felt like they had to play the role of "father" this weekend. as we were packing up this, i said to Gordon, "this is the second and last annual camping trip for Kyrios"...(i was a little frustrated at the time). GOrd said, "Next time you should just go to a retreat place and let them take care of all the cooking and stuff so you counsellors can focus on doing your real work". Very profound and wise words Gord. I think Gord was dead right in that I had gotten too caught up in "doing stuff" this weekend...kinda like Martha. thx for your wisdom Gord.
anyhow, it wasn't till i got back to toronto, on the monday, my day off, that i saw..or should i say read, what god had done over the weekend. i spent some time reading various blogs of people who went to camp (some who prob. don't even know i read their blogs ). well, i was brought to tears with what i read. to hear that you guys and gals heard GOd speak to you this weekend..that it was a time that He spoke to you and renewed you. to see and read how you've matured in certain ways. it was all that i could have asked for and hoped for.
camping is a different creature then retreats...you are thrust into the presence of God, and there is almost no way you can ignore it. the stars, the trees, the sounds of nature...the very rocks shout to the Lord. will there be another camping trip in the future? probably...almost definitely...one weekend of frustration for me and some others is a small price to pay to see you guys touched by God.
as for me, i enjoyed the stillness of camping...to be away from the world and its ways. i had time to reflect on my life, on where God was leading me. i spent some time sitting on a rock in the dark (for those of you who saw me and wondered what i was doing), it was a chance to talk to God and to listen in the stillness of the dark. a time to be renewed, to draw strength for the long journey ahead.
i was fairly distant from people for most of the weekend, and i must apologize for that. i just needed some time to refocus.
on another note, i lost my wedding ring while swimming thankfully Ada found it somehow after a long search Van siad something (i can't remember her exact words, but it was to have faith that it would be found, that she was praying for that...wow..thanks Van, never too old to learn and be reminded of the simplicity of faith from someone younger.
thats all for now.
this is the song that never ends....
clem
anyhow, it wasn't till i got back to toronto, on the monday, my day off, that i saw..or should i say read, what god had done over the weekend. i spent some time reading various blogs of people who went to camp (some who prob. don't even know i read their blogs ). well, i was brought to tears with what i read. to hear that you guys and gals heard GOd speak to you this weekend..that it was a time that He spoke to you and renewed you. to see and read how you've matured in certain ways. it was all that i could have asked for and hoped for.
camping is a different creature then retreats...you are thrust into the presence of God, and there is almost no way you can ignore it. the stars, the trees, the sounds of nature...the very rocks shout to the Lord. will there be another camping trip in the future? probably...almost definitely...one weekend of frustration for me and some others is a small price to pay to see you guys touched by God.
as for me, i enjoyed the stillness of camping...to be away from the world and its ways. i had time to reflect on my life, on where God was leading me. i spent some time sitting on a rock in the dark (for those of you who saw me and wondered what i was doing), it was a chance to talk to God and to listen in the stillness of the dark. a time to be renewed, to draw strength for the long journey ahead.
i was fairly distant from people for most of the weekend, and i must apologize for that. i just needed some time to refocus.
on another note, i lost my wedding ring while swimming thankfully Ada found it somehow after a long search Van siad something (i can't remember her exact words, but it was to have faith that it would be found, that she was praying for that...wow..thanks Van, never too old to learn and be reminded of the simplicity of faith from someone younger.
thats all for now.
this is the song that never ends....
clem
