Dear Prayer Partners,

Our third day of camp is officially now in the books. Today was "Everyone's Birthday Party" day. When we all woke up, it started. There are party hats galore and everyone is wishing everyone Happy Birthday throughout the day.

After chapel tonight, we headed to dinner. On our way there, we see the beginnings of a birthday party with fun blow ups and a huge rock wall just waiting to be climbed. Once we concluded our pizza dinner, we were treated to cupcakes and then the outdoor party began. We had snow cones, a dance party and face painting which made this a night to remember. Then we gathered the kids and the counselors and the kids all received an small mp3 player that included all the camp songs we've been singing all week along with the entire drama. It's the best gift for the kids and they love it. And, of course, we had to sing Happy Birthday to our campers. What a night it was!

Days like today make camp so great for these kids who may never have experienced a birthday party or received a gift of any kind. We see and hear about that every year.

It's one of many reasons why we do camp! Thank you for your continued prayers.

Here's a story from our scribe:

One of the programs at camp is for 11-year-boys and girls to sew a colorful pillowcase. Both boys and girls are given the opportunity to sew a pillowcase as memorabilia of their time at camp before they graduate onto retreats. Some boys think of this as something they aren’t so sure about. However, there are others who take it as a serious matter. One of the boys decided to make his pillowcase for his 5-year-old sister. He thought it would be fun to give it to her for her birthday. Another camper made his pillowcase for his dad, with his dad’s favorite sports team. And then another young man treated his pillowcase as if it were “Gold.” He carefully folded it up to put it in his suitcase and did not want anything to mess it up. Overall, these campers are learning to give up some treasure, meant for them, to give to someone else who is special in their life.  

Blessings,

Darren

p.s. Pray for the volunteers coming out on Thursday who are helping with the Royal Tea Party. Pray also for the company coming out to provide the boys with their "Dude Royal" Ninja warrior experience.