The lull on this blog has been for lack of time lately. The last two weeks have been pretty busy. But, they’re busy in the best way possible! We’ve entered summer camp time and I’m having a blast!
I was asked to direct the skits and choreographies for both children’s camps (January) and teen camps (February). I had three days to teach 6 kids the three skits for children’s camps. I had those same three days to also teach two separate groups the one skit and two choreographies for teen camps. I had one hour one morning to teach the skits that we’re using for two of the Bible lesson introductions. Do I really have to say we didn’t get it all done?
The group doing the skits for children's camps
During one practice, I halted the whole thing and ended up rewriting the entire monologue and having a friend translate it and cut/paste the music and tomorrow we’ll record the guy who’s going to read the monologue. And then, we’ll practice it for the first time this Thursday. And two groups have to learn it.
During another practice, we ended up changing the technical aspects to it and making it much more simple than the original idea.
Last week camps officially started. We had 84 children from ages 6-12.
I had the privilege of teaching about 45 of them every morning. The lessons this year are on the life of Gideon, who is one of my personal heroes. Tuesday, they learn that God has sent us a Permanent Savior, unlike the Israelites who never had just one final judge to save them. Wednesday, they learn that God has chosen them for a very specific purpose, no matter where they have come from or what kind of background they have, like He chose Gideon. Thursday, they learn that we must have faith and trust that God will be with us, like He was with Gideon even though Gideon lacked faith. Friday, they learn that God has the ultimate victory in whatever battles we have in our lives, like He won Gideon’s battle without them even needing to fight.
Monday morning, I had three children accept the Lord as Savior and Friday morning, I had two more. Praise God!
Friday was a blast teaching. We acted out Gideon’s battle and the kids did a great job, blowing trumpets and yelling at the top of their lungs. The kids did a great job paying attention on Friday (probably because they were all dead tired!).
Friday evening, I was the one who gave the application at the bonfire. I’ve never done anything like that before (much less in Spanish), so I was a little nervous. But, God just calmed my heart and I was able to challenge the kids to make decisions. So humbling seeing these children come to the bonfire and throw their sticks in, symbolizing the promises they’re making between them and God.
Today, our second week began. My husband has been working on the playground here doing some repairs and he said he had to yell at the kids more today than he did all last week! Some showed up hours early and we caught them in the sewer behind our house (uck). We also caught them stealing watermelons from our neighbor’s field. OH my. It’s gonna be a long week. We have over 100 tonight and more arrive tomorrow. I’m nervous. It’s like teaching kids from Brooklyn, the Bronx, and inner city Philly all in one week.
So, if you think of it – pray for me! I had to say three words up front tonight and I messed up one of them and I had over 100 children laughing at my Spanish. Humbling, yes. Intimidating? Oh you have no idea. I can just see them losing it on me if I mess up on my Spanish this week.
At one point this week, I was frustrated with some outside elements and I was nervous about teaching. I stood in our bedroom window praying and I actually prayed, “God, where is my help?” My eyes were drawn upward and there were the mighty mountains outside my window and I knew – “I lift my eyes unto the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord – the Maker of heaven and earth!” My goal this month is just to be an empty vessel. I know I can’t teach well in Spanish. I need the Holy Spirit to just use me and speak through me.
And that – that right there – is the entire lesson of Gideon. “Go in the strength you have” and let God win the battle for you.
Before you go read the story of Gideon (Judges 6-7), which I know you’re about to, feel free to read the monologue I wrote for teen camps. I’ve put it under the tab “My Writings.” But, please do not use it as a monologue without my written consent.
