Well. I have officially moved back to Las Cruces and getting back into the swing of things down here. Last week was the last week of the summer and it was great. The first half of the week we had a group from Socorro come down and hang out. The were a campus ministry team with InterVarsity on the New Mexico Tech campus. This group just happened to be the ministry that my little brother goes to! How cool is that! They spent the majority of their time discussing different ministry ideas and events so the only time I really got to hang out with them was durring meals and one morning when we went down to the beach. Turns out 2 of the 3 guys my brother is living with came to the retreat so that was really cool to get to meet them.
The second group of the week came up from El Passo. I cant remember the name of the church they were with but te kids were really cool. As it turned out, most of the kids that they brought didn't know what it was like to have a personal relationship with Jesus, so it was really cool watching God work through them and how he used the leaders to plant seeds in their lives. One of the kids that I got to know over the week was OJ. He was that kid that likes to see how far he can take it before he popes your personal bubble. I know you know what I mean and I'll leave it at that. Anyway, OJ befriended me for the week and it was cool ministering to him though actions rather than words because one, I thought he was getting a lot of words durring the teaching times and I thought it was important for him as well as all of the other kids there to see how a personal relationship with Jesus plays out in really life. At one point he straight up asked me if I was a Christian out of the blue, but just after I said yes he started to try and dunk me or something like that so I didn't get to dig any deeper with that but it was cool to see that the gears were turning and that he was thinking about God one way or another.
Over the coarse of the summer I have been provided with an endless supply of opportunities to grow in my relationship with God and He has taught me many things like how to be a leader for extended periods of time and how to completely rely on Him, even if it is just to have the motivation to get to work at 5 in the morning. He also hid many of the things he has taught me and I have been digesting the summer and realizing how many things he taught me and is still teaching me as I reflect on the summer. One of the cool things that I have been looking at today was how he takes care of us even if we think that we got it. I knew that when I moved back down to Las Cruces that I was going to need a job to help pay for some of the senior project stuff I am going to need as well as to pay off a loan I got to buy a video camera and still on top of that to start saving up for life after college. I basically went into a place called Durango Bagels and asked if they had an application, filled it out, and God did the rest. That was 2 weeks ago. Last week I received a phone call from the owner and she asked if I could come in the next day for an interview but I couldn't because I was still at camp. So I asked if it would be ok if we waited until Monday (today) to do the interview. Well I am not sure how it happened but several people found out that I dropped this one and only application off and they went in or called I am not sure but the owner already had me on the schedule for this week when I went in! So here I am with a job that God supplied me with in a town of 30 thousand plus college kids all trying to find a job and I got one without even really looking. God is so awesome!
I really do appreciated how much each of you supported me throughout the summer. Another thing that God showed me this summer was the power of prayer and he showed it to me though all yall. If you dont know what it is like to be prayed over, you are missing out on one of the most powerful tools you have access to! I could tell the days that people were praying for me and the days that people didnt. But more importantly I could tell when prayers were being answered. Every week I posted a "pray stuff" list and yall prayed for them and they were answered every single time. Every thing from attitudes to keeping us safe from ourselves was answered. So, I guess what I am trying to say is thank you so much for being a instrument in God's will for my summer, I couldn't have done it with out you and your support.
As many campers throughout the summer got to read on my sign as they drove out on the last day of camp, 'Stay Riggin' and remember that 'It doesnt end here.'
May God continue to Bless each and every one of you,
Chris
Monday, August 22, 2011
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
week 10.5
Well this post is pure prayer request. I feel like poop. My head wont stop pounding and I cant stop sweating. So, I am going to do what I should have done when all this junk started, surround myself in prayer. Will you lift me up as you read this, I have a long drive tomorrow and it is no fun trying to drive when it hurts to be in the light. It is really not that bad but its bad enough that I am tired of it and I cant be myself with this hinderance. That being said, let God have all the Glory and all the Honor and all the Praise tonight as he draws us gently to our knees. Thank you family. Night
Friday, August 5, 2011
Week 9 &10
Wow. What a crazy awesome past 2 weeks it has been! Two weeks ago we were blessed with the Resound youth group! They are a quickly growing youth group from Albuquerque. I have had the privilege of getting to meet a few of the kids on and off over the past few months before camp and I can say that God is doing some pretty amazing things in this group! I could see God in each and every one of their faces and that is a rare thing for a youth group to have. If yall are reading this, dont let that EVER go away.
During the week that Resound was with us I had two people that I know past away. One was my cousin's grandpa (not related to me) and the other was my best friends grandma. I was only able to make it to one funeral and it was the happiest funeral that I have ever been to. It was a celebration of Grammies' life and how she is now home. It was really awesome. But still keep both of those families in your prayers for the next few weeks. We all know it is tough to loss a loved one.
This last week we had a MEGGA HUGE BIG (insert other word for large here) from Roswell and Tuson. The tuson group was led by Pastor Scotty and the Roswell group by Pastor Branden, they are a Father son combo team of awesomeness for God. Their kids were extremely different at the beginning of the week but they all grew/got to know each other and by the end of the week you couldn't tell the difference between the two groups. God worked in these kids and you could see it by the attentiveness they had in the teaching times. Even if they ran too well over 2.5 hours.
Both groups had several first time dedications to God as well as some re-dedications. It never gets old of seeing new brothers and sisters joining the family! Pray for these kids that they will continue to walk with God in every aspect of their lifes and that they dont fall back into the old ways before camp started.
This week was the end of the summer for my dear friend and sister (well I claim her as that anyway) Taylor (left). She had to go back to school for her RA job at school. We will miss her. She has done an amazing job this summer despite how hard it was for her. God worked in her life in crazy ways. One being public speaking. She HATES it but she had to do it a few times this summer and God now has her giving a message to the Resound group tonight in ABQ! How awesome is that! After getting to spend a week with those kids and then getting the opportunity to go back and teach them something new! Any way, pray for her tonight because thats when she is talking to the kids and pray for a safe 20 hour drive back to school for her next week.
As for Jesse (middle) and I, we still have a little ways to go. Next week is a work week for a few days then we are off then two weeks from now we have our last camp. It is a small group and I have class on one day durring that week so I will have to drive down for an afternoon to Las Cruces to go to class and then head back and finish out camp. As of right now I couldn't have withed for a better summer. God has shown me some awesome stuff and possibly provide me with a job or two after I graduate in May, awesome! He has also shown me a lot of other things that I knew I had in me but just didn't know how to tap into just yet. And I am sure that He has taught me so many more things that I just haven't realized yet and wont till I have some time to process everything that has happend this summer.
Pray Stuff
1. for the kids that have made decisions this summer
that they continue to walk the good walk no matter what they come up against
2. for the staff, both here and gone
that we will find rest in God and God alone, and maybe in that awesome stuff God made called sleep
3. for the last week of camp
That the kids will be open to everything God has in store for them as they come
that is the week that ACA is coming to inspect camp and renew our accreditation (loads of paperwork to be done)
Thank you again and again for everything yall have been doing for me and the rest of the staff. We honestly couldn't have done it with out all of the support we get from people just like you. You are fueling the work of God by helping us and for that I thank you.
During the week that Resound was with us I had two people that I know past away. One was my cousin's grandpa (not related to me) and the other was my best friends grandma. I was only able to make it to one funeral and it was the happiest funeral that I have ever been to. It was a celebration of Grammies' life and how she is now home. It was really awesome. But still keep both of those families in your prayers for the next few weeks. We all know it is tough to loss a loved one.
This last week we had a MEGGA HUGE BIG (insert other word for large here) from Roswell and Tuson. The tuson group was led by Pastor Scotty and the Roswell group by Pastor Branden, they are a Father son combo team of awesomeness for God. Their kids were extremely different at the beginning of the week but they all grew/got to know each other and by the end of the week you couldn't tell the difference between the two groups. God worked in these kids and you could see it by the attentiveness they had in the teaching times. Even if they ran too well over 2.5 hours.
Both groups had several first time dedications to God as well as some re-dedications. It never gets old of seeing new brothers and sisters joining the family! Pray for these kids that they will continue to walk with God in every aspect of their lifes and that they dont fall back into the old ways before camp started.
This week was the end of the summer for my dear friend and sister (well I claim her as that anyway) Taylor (left). She had to go back to school for her RA job at school. We will miss her. She has done an amazing job this summer despite how hard it was for her. God worked in her life in crazy ways. One being public speaking. She HATES it but she had to do it a few times this summer and God now has her giving a message to the Resound group tonight in ABQ! How awesome is that! After getting to spend a week with those kids and then getting the opportunity to go back and teach them something new! Any way, pray for her tonight because thats when she is talking to the kids and pray for a safe 20 hour drive back to school for her next week.As for Jesse (middle) and I, we still have a little ways to go. Next week is a work week for a few days then we are off then two weeks from now we have our last camp. It is a small group and I have class on one day durring that week so I will have to drive down for an afternoon to Las Cruces to go to class and then head back and finish out camp. As of right now I couldn't have withed for a better summer. God has shown me some awesome stuff and possibly provide me with a job or two after I graduate in May, awesome! He has also shown me a lot of other things that I knew I had in me but just didn't know how to tap into just yet. And I am sure that He has taught me so many more things that I just haven't realized yet and wont till I have some time to process everything that has happend this summer.
Pray Stuff
1. for the kids that have made decisions this summer
that they continue to walk the good walk no matter what they come up against
2. for the staff, both here and gone
that we will find rest in God and God alone, and maybe in that awesome stuff God made called sleep
3. for the last week of camp
That the kids will be open to everything God has in store for them as they come
that is the week that ACA is coming to inspect camp and renew our accreditation (loads of paperwork to be done)
Thank you again and again for everything yall have been doing for me and the rest of the staff. We honestly couldn't have done it with out all of the support we get from people just like you. You are fueling the work of God by helping us and for that I thank you.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Week 8.2
Well this blog is all most late but that's better than never. Our second group last week was a blast! They were from a church in El Passo, Tx and man were they fun! Their leadership did an outstanding job with teaching and helping us provide an environment that is free of distractions (well as much as you can with a buch of teenagers).
Right off the bat, I noticed that there were several clicks with in the group and those clicks were isolating some of the kids. But, by the end of the week it was difficult to see a clearly defined click wich was an answered prayer. I knew if the clicks continued, camp was not going to be any fun for the kids.
Ok, I cant hold this back to much longer. I know that God was working hard in some of these kids life's because there were a few new members added to my family this week! I will never get tired of finding out that I have a new brother or sister in Christ! Those kids that God called into the family is all that I need to know that every single week that we have poured into these kids was worth it and I will do it all again just so that one person will come to know God as their personal Savior!
I am going to cut this one short because thats all that really needs to be said about the week. God did his thing and that is what really counts.
Pray stuff:
1. for the kids that seed were planted in and for those that are new believers! let God work through their life in crazy awesome ways!
2. staff
THANK YOU! you would not believe the rested and restored we are! your prayers are being answered so dont stop!
3. this up coming week
resound abq is coming up tomorrow for a 5 day camp. pray for the kids that they get here safe and without getting lost (Bryne Palmer is driving them here...) pray that they will be open to anything God has planed for them this week (tack the staff to that too) and pray that they will take what ever they learn and apply to their life when they get home with out lossing any of their zealousness for God!
Right off the bat, I noticed that there were several clicks with in the group and those clicks were isolating some of the kids. But, by the end of the week it was difficult to see a clearly defined click wich was an answered prayer. I knew if the clicks continued, camp was not going to be any fun for the kids.
Ok, I cant hold this back to much longer. I know that God was working hard in some of these kids life's because there were a few new members added to my family this week! I will never get tired of finding out that I have a new brother or sister in Christ! Those kids that God called into the family is all that I need to know that every single week that we have poured into these kids was worth it and I will do it all again just so that one person will come to know God as their personal Savior!
I am going to cut this one short because thats all that really needs to be said about the week. God did his thing and that is what really counts.
Pray stuff:
1. for the kids that seed were planted in and for those that are new believers! let God work through their life in crazy awesome ways!
2. staff
THANK YOU! you would not believe the rested and restored we are! your prayers are being answered so dont stop!
3. this up coming week
resound abq is coming up tomorrow for a 5 day camp. pray for the kids that they get here safe and without getting lost (Bryne Palmer is driving them here...) pray that they will be open to anything God has planed for them this week (tack the staff to that too) and pray that they will take what ever they learn and apply to their life when they get home with out lossing any of their zealousness for God!
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Week 8.1
Well here I am again. What a blast the past few days have been! Shane and Chelsea O'Neal's wedding was SO MUCH FUN! They had an out door wedding at Laughing Sheep Farm in Lincoln NM. It was beautiful with the pond in the back ground and the geese swimming this way and that. And the food... oh the food. We ate alligator ribs and qual and even rattle snake sausage! (This is Taylor... Chris left his blog open, went to do laundry, and allowed me to get on his computer. If he doesn't catch this... hello blog followers of Chris!) Well... yup. thats true, I did leave. Oh well. anyway the wedding went off with only one hitch, and that was the one that counted.
The past few days we had a mission group come in from Fort Worth. They went to the Navaho reservation near Socorro NM for a few days and did a ton of humanitarian work there. While they were here some of the slept but most of them played on the water for a day. After dinner they discussed what they thought was cool about the trip or how they saw God move in one way or another. I was talking with Jeff, there Lone Tree team leader, about how the trip went and he said it went well but he was more concerned about the lifes that the kids were returning to. From what I understood, these kids have it way worse then I could even imagine so keep them in your prayers.
In the morning we have to do some "staff training" out on the water and then we are going to finish getting camp ready for our next group that will be showing up sometime tomorrow afternoon. It is going to be a church from El Passo if I am not misstaken and its going to be a regular 4 day camp. Other than the fact that they are bringing 32 people (biggest group yet), I really dont know much about this group. I guess for now just pray that they will be open to what God has in store for them in the next few day and that they will take it home and use what they learn in every day life.
Thanks so much for keeping us in your prayers. It really means a lot to me when I go and check the stats and see so many people reading and praying for everything that is going on in my life. YOU ROCK!
Pray time:
1. For the Mission kids
- that they continue to have a servant's heart long after they get home
- about whatever they are going through and that they lean hard on God through it
2. For the kids to come
- for safe travels as they come to camp tomorrow
- that the are open to everything God is going to be working on them as they are here
3. For Staff
- we just crossed the mid way point of the summer (we are exhausted), so energy and sound sleep
- that we find God working in and through us even though we are doing the same stuff over and over
4. Shane and Chelsea
- that God will continue to bless them and their marriage
The past few days we had a mission group come in from Fort Worth. They went to the Navaho reservation near Socorro NM for a few days and did a ton of humanitarian work there. While they were here some of the slept but most of them played on the water for a day. After dinner they discussed what they thought was cool about the trip or how they saw God move in one way or another. I was talking with Jeff, there Lone Tree team leader, about how the trip went and he said it went well but he was more concerned about the lifes that the kids were returning to. From what I understood, these kids have it way worse then I could even imagine so keep them in your prayers.
In the morning we have to do some "staff training" out on the water and then we are going to finish getting camp ready for our next group that will be showing up sometime tomorrow afternoon. It is going to be a church from El Passo if I am not misstaken and its going to be a regular 4 day camp. Other than the fact that they are bringing 32 people (biggest group yet), I really dont know much about this group. I guess for now just pray that they will be open to what God has in store for them in the next few day and that they will take it home and use what they learn in every day life.
Thanks so much for keeping us in your prayers. It really means a lot to me when I go and check the stats and see so many people reading and praying for everything that is going on in my life. YOU ROCK!
Pray time:
1. For the Mission kids
- that they continue to have a servant's heart long after they get home
- about whatever they are going through and that they lean hard on God through it
2. For the kids to come
- for safe travels as they come to camp tomorrow
- that the are open to everything God is going to be working on them as they are here
3. For Staff
- we just crossed the mid way point of the summer (we are exhausted), so energy and sound sleep
- that we find God working in and through us even though we are doing the same stuff over and over
4. Shane and Chelsea
- that God will continue to bless them and their marriage
Monday, July 11, 2011
Week.... what week is it again?
Well first of all I am sorry that I didn't post a blog last week, it was a crazy weekend. So, this is a combo blog
Last Last week:
We pretty much worked the whole week because we didn't have a group until Thursday and even then they were only there for Thursday. We moved our beach again around to a new spot because as of this last weekend, the area it was at is now above the water line. Not so good for jumping off of stuff. The group that came was from a church in El Passo, Tx and they were a lot of fun. they couldn't afford to come for the whole week, or part of a week for that matter but they still came and God got to work through those kids even if they didn't get the whole camp experience. After they left we started preparing for the weekend (4th of July). We have this small vender tailor that is used mostly for the mission groups that roll through from time to time. We took it and cleaned it up and made it into a burger joint that we called the "Tiki Hut." Why did we do this? Because we (staff) used the crazy flow of people that come into the park for the holiday to raise some money for the camp by selling hot dogs and hamburgers and brisket. That was a hard and hot job because not to many people were interested in it and the only way to get cool was to just sit and sweat. But God did bless us by providing a few people that came back over and over again so that was awesome.
Last week:
The group was YOUNG! Well young for this camp anyway. We normally have jr high and sr high school aged kids and this group was entirely under the age of 12... I didn't sign up for that. That age group is hard for me but I guess God had some stretching for me to do this summer in that area and thats perfectly fine. Well it is now that I am reflecting back on it. The group was from a local church right here in Elephant Butte and the kids had a ton of energy and for the most part were completely well behaved. Oh, and on top of having a young group of children, we also, for the first time, ran our own program and teaching. One of the staff at the Lone Tree Ranch, Sean Trout, came over and taught on the Sea of Galilee and he did a really good job with it. One of the things that most challenged me this week was the river float. Its one of the activities that we take campers on during the week that involves driving to the river, keeping everyone together once they are in the river, and keeping them safely in the middle of the river. That last part........imposible for these kids to do.... That hour and a half was the single most challenging part about this entire summer so far. I felt like I pulled all of them about 12346443 times from trees and rocks because they ether wouldn't listen to me and swim to the middle or just plum couldn't do it because they were to little. By the end of the float my arms and back were on fire from paddling that little sit on top kayak up, down and across that river. However, even though this week was hard, I got to know a lot of the kids very well. It was hard to tell where most of them stood in their walk with Jesus or even if they had one. But I do feel like we at lest showed them what Jesus looks like in our lives and how He can look in theirs, and to be honest, that rocks. And thats all we are here to do, its up to God to call people to the family, not ours. So, we can continue to pray for these kids along with the rest of the kids that have been and are yet to come to camp, all the camps.
This Week
Since this week is half over already I figured I should throw it up as well. This week we dont have a camp at all. So, we are just working on stuff that keeps getting pushed back to "oh we can do that tomorrow." Well I guess we are just working on that stuff the first half of the week and then its off to wed some of my most dearest friends, Shane and Chelsea. I have the extreme honor and pleasure of being Shane's Best Man and I am extremely excited for them! I dont want to say to much in here about them because I dont want them cheating in on some of the stuff I am gonna say in my toast to them and God's amazing plan for their life.
Next Week
Next Week is going to be a little bit crazy.... After the wedding and reception I will be at work back here in Elephant Butte at 7am for the marina till 1pm and the from 1pm till that next Saturday its going to be camp time! We will have two groups coming in for camp. The first one, Sun-Weds, is going to be a mission group who are working with one of the Indian reservations near Saccorro NM. So, pray for them because they are doing Gods work. The last half of the week we will be just doing normal camp with kids (jr & sr high) so pray for them that God works in their life starting now and ending...well never.
Thank you so so much for your continues support and prayer! I really can tell a difference between the days that yall are praying and ones that yall are not. I like the ones that yall are the most.
Pray Stuff:
1. kids.....kids....kidsssssss
pray for them about everything I mentioned above and anything else you can think of. They cant and sadly wont get enough of it.
2. Shane and Chelsea
pray that God remains the center of their relationship for years and years and years to come and that He will work through them in amazing ways
3. Staff
It is easy for us to get burnt out. We still have 6 weeks of camp left to go and we need to be just as fresh for that last group of kids as we were for the first group. so pray for rest and for anything else God lays on your heart for us
Last Last week:
We pretty much worked the whole week because we didn't have a group until Thursday and even then they were only there for Thursday. We moved our beach again around to a new spot because as of this last weekend, the area it was at is now above the water line. Not so good for jumping off of stuff. The group that came was from a church in El Passo, Tx and they were a lot of fun. they couldn't afford to come for the whole week, or part of a week for that matter but they still came and God got to work through those kids even if they didn't get the whole camp experience. After they left we started preparing for the weekend (4th of July). We have this small vender tailor that is used mostly for the mission groups that roll through from time to time. We took it and cleaned it up and made it into a burger joint that we called the "Tiki Hut." Why did we do this? Because we (staff) used the crazy flow of people that come into the park for the holiday to raise some money for the camp by selling hot dogs and hamburgers and brisket. That was a hard and hot job because not to many people were interested in it and the only way to get cool was to just sit and sweat. But God did bless us by providing a few people that came back over and over again so that was awesome.
Last week:
The group was YOUNG! Well young for this camp anyway. We normally have jr high and sr high school aged kids and this group was entirely under the age of 12... I didn't sign up for that. That age group is hard for me but I guess God had some stretching for me to do this summer in that area and thats perfectly fine. Well it is now that I am reflecting back on it. The group was from a local church right here in Elephant Butte and the kids had a ton of energy and for the most part were completely well behaved. Oh, and on top of having a young group of children, we also, for the first time, ran our own program and teaching. One of the staff at the Lone Tree Ranch, Sean Trout, came over and taught on the Sea of Galilee and he did a really good job with it. One of the things that most challenged me this week was the river float. Its one of the activities that we take campers on during the week that involves driving to the river, keeping everyone together once they are in the river, and keeping them safely in the middle of the river. That last part........imposible for these kids to do.... That hour and a half was the single most challenging part about this entire summer so far. I felt like I pulled all of them about 12346443 times from trees and rocks because they ether wouldn't listen to me and swim to the middle or just plum couldn't do it because they were to little. By the end of the float my arms and back were on fire from paddling that little sit on top kayak up, down and across that river. However, even though this week was hard, I got to know a lot of the kids very well. It was hard to tell where most of them stood in their walk with Jesus or even if they had one. But I do feel like we at lest showed them what Jesus looks like in our lives and how He can look in theirs, and to be honest, that rocks. And thats all we are here to do, its up to God to call people to the family, not ours. So, we can continue to pray for these kids along with the rest of the kids that have been and are yet to come to camp, all the camps.
This Week
Since this week is half over already I figured I should throw it up as well. This week we dont have a camp at all. So, we are just working on stuff that keeps getting pushed back to "oh we can do that tomorrow." Well I guess we are just working on that stuff the first half of the week and then its off to wed some of my most dearest friends, Shane and Chelsea. I have the extreme honor and pleasure of being Shane's Best Man and I am extremely excited for them! I dont want to say to much in here about them because I dont want them cheating in on some of the stuff I am gonna say in my toast to them and God's amazing plan for their life.
Next Week
Next Week is going to be a little bit crazy.... After the wedding and reception I will be at work back here in Elephant Butte at 7am for the marina till 1pm and the from 1pm till that next Saturday its going to be camp time! We will have two groups coming in for camp. The first one, Sun-Weds, is going to be a mission group who are working with one of the Indian reservations near Saccorro NM. So, pray for them because they are doing Gods work. The last half of the week we will be just doing normal camp with kids (jr & sr high) so pray for them that God works in their life starting now and ending...well never.
Thank you so so much for your continues support and prayer! I really can tell a difference between the days that yall are praying and ones that yall are not. I like the ones that yall are the most.
Pray Stuff:
1. kids.....kids....kidsssssss
pray for them about everything I mentioned above and anything else you can think of. They cant and sadly wont get enough of it.
2. Shane and Chelsea
pray that God remains the center of their relationship for years and years and years to come and that He will work through them in amazing ways
3. Staff
It is easy for us to get burnt out. We still have 6 weeks of camp left to go and we need to be just as fresh for that last group of kids as we were for the first group. so pray for rest and for anything else God lays on your heart for us
Friday, June 24, 2011
Week 4 - Calvary ABQ
Wow. What a week! We had some pretty awesome kids come rolling thought camp this week and I find it save to say that they were rocked by God all week long. What stood out to me the most this week was the leadership. They were all CRAZY, each in their own way but all for the Glory of God. these leaders were able to minister to these kids on the kids level and were able to break some of them out of their shells a little bit.
It never ceasses to amaze me how God can work through a miss-matched group in just a few days to bind them into a seamless group that continually increase their glorification on Him. By the end of the week, all of the kids knew all of the kids and any 'clicks' had been broken up and forgotten. Its so cool to see that, especially in a church the size of Calvary.
As a staff, we have been going through Ephesians 1 and in verses 9-11 it says "9 God has now revealed to us his mysterious plan regarding Christ, a plan to fulfill his own good pleasure. 10 and this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ - everything in heaven and on earth. 11 Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan."
Because we have been reading about this awesome plan and studying it every day, I have been seeing this plan more and more and it is just so exciting to me that there are hundreds of little and older brothers and sisters that come in and out of camp. OUR FAMILY IS HUGE!
Some prayer requests for the week ahead
1. The kids
- let them not forget what they learned this week and for God to help them in every aspect in their lives
- That they will take what they learned this week and apply it to their lives
2. The leadership
- Calvary has been blessed with some great leadership, let them be continued to be blessed
- For my boss, Justin. He has been doing an amazing job running camp and he need to be remembered in all of our prayers
- The summer staff, we are feeling the affects of 17 hour days in the over 100 degree weather without shade. Pray that we are kept safe and that we can find rest in Him and in any other place we can. Also for some of the other things that come with being at camp, cant see our friends, family, dogs, you know. Stuff like that.
3. The water
- The water level is falling like crazy. PRAY FOR RAIN!
- Being a water camp, we need some water to play in.
4. Next week
- We will be moving our dock sections and possibly the entire marina next week into some deeper water. So, Safety and efficacy and the ability for us summer staff to know what needs to be done when it needs to be done. None of us has ever done anything like this before so let God give us the ability to know what to do.
Thanks so much for your continued support!
chris
It never ceasses to amaze me how God can work through a miss-matched group in just a few days to bind them into a seamless group that continually increase their glorification on Him. By the end of the week, all of the kids knew all of the kids and any 'clicks' had been broken up and forgotten. Its so cool to see that, especially in a church the size of Calvary.
As a staff, we have been going through Ephesians 1 and in verses 9-11 it says "9 God has now revealed to us his mysterious plan regarding Christ, a plan to fulfill his own good pleasure. 10 and this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ - everything in heaven and on earth. 11 Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan."
Because we have been reading about this awesome plan and studying it every day, I have been seeing this plan more and more and it is just so exciting to me that there are hundreds of little and older brothers and sisters that come in and out of camp. OUR FAMILY IS HUGE!
Some prayer requests for the week ahead
1. The kids
- let them not forget what they learned this week and for God to help them in every aspect in their lives
- That they will take what they learned this week and apply it to their lives
2. The leadership
- Calvary has been blessed with some great leadership, let them be continued to be blessed
- For my boss, Justin. He has been doing an amazing job running camp and he need to be remembered in all of our prayers
- The summer staff, we are feeling the affects of 17 hour days in the over 100 degree weather without shade. Pray that we are kept safe and that we can find rest in Him and in any other place we can. Also for some of the other things that come with being at camp, cant see our friends, family, dogs, you know. Stuff like that.
3. The water
- The water level is falling like crazy. PRAY FOR RAIN!
- Being a water camp, we need some water to play in.
4. Next week
- We will be moving our dock sections and possibly the entire marina next week into some deeper water. So, Safety and efficacy and the ability for us summer staff to know what needs to be done when it needs to be done. None of us has ever done anything like this before so let God give us the ability to know what to do.
Thanks so much for your continued support!
chris
Friday, June 17, 2011
Week 3 - the first week of campers
Well. The first thing is that I am plum tuckered out! Today alone I worked for 11 hours and I got off at 3:15ish. This group was great! It was an Albuquerque middle school youth group from Christ the King Anglican Church that brought about 20 kids.
Man did these kids have some energy! Even after playing hard all day on the water they still worshiped with all their might! Taylor and I had the privilege of sitting outside of the pavilion (where they had worship) to just listen to the kids sing and to the teachings. There was also a smaller service right before bed that many kids jumped into.
One of the cool things that I get to do here at camp is to get to know the kids. One in particular is John. I got to know John and his sister fairly well, especially yesterday. Yesterday had a weather report of high winds in the afternoon so we just closed the beach and hung out up top for the afternoon. While I was just hanging out with the kids I some how got mixed up in the sibling rivalry between them, like sitting between them. So, they did what any 15 and 14 year olds would do, team up on me. Lets just say that they play rough and you can see what I was in the middle of. Anyway, John, took it just at little to far with me by the afternoon and I told him that I was going to get him back. Little did I know that Justin (boss) told him the same thing for messing with him earlier that day. After we found out that he had been messing with the two of us we started a plan against him.
At 4:55 this morning we got our pay back. One, it was really early (we had to get up to set up for a sunrise service anyway) and two we "antiqued" him. Don't know what that means? Well, you take a hand full of flour and through it in the face of your sleeping victim. Brilliant, I know and yes, I did record it and it will be posted in this blog soon.
Well I hope you injoyed this weeks blog. I am planing on taking video or pictures soon so that all of you can see what the Lakeshore looks like sometime but for now just think of about 500 miles of beach surrounding a pretty cool shade of green.
Pray time
1. For the kids this week
- That they will remember everything that they learned this week
- That they will do what they learned this week
2. For the kids coming next week
- They they will open their hearts to God so that he can bless them in ways they didn't know were possible
-That they will have a safe week as well as a fun one
3. Staff
- We are blessed to get a new staff member next week!
- Taylor, Justin and I are worn out so rest for us this weekend so we can pour it all right back out!
- Taylor smashed her finger pretty good while we were moving the beach so pray for that to heal fast.
Remember, you are make perfect in Him
Chris
Man did these kids have some energy! Even after playing hard all day on the water they still worshiped with all their might! Taylor and I had the privilege of sitting outside of the pavilion (where they had worship) to just listen to the kids sing and to the teachings. There was also a smaller service right before bed that many kids jumped into.
One of the cool things that I get to do here at camp is to get to know the kids. One in particular is John. I got to know John and his sister fairly well, especially yesterday. Yesterday had a weather report of high winds in the afternoon so we just closed the beach and hung out up top for the afternoon. While I was just hanging out with the kids I some how got mixed up in the sibling rivalry between them, like sitting between them. So, they did what any 15 and 14 year olds would do, team up on me. Lets just say that they play rough and you can see what I was in the middle of. Anyway, John, took it just at little to far with me by the afternoon and I told him that I was going to get him back. Little did I know that Justin (boss) told him the same thing for messing with him earlier that day. After we found out that he had been messing with the two of us we started a plan against him.
At 4:55 this morning we got our pay back. One, it was really early (we had to get up to set up for a sunrise service anyway) and two we "antiqued" him. Don't know what that means? Well, you take a hand full of flour and through it in the face of your sleeping victim. Brilliant, I know and yes, I did record it and it will be posted in this blog soon.
Well I hope you injoyed this weeks blog. I am planing on taking video or pictures soon so that all of you can see what the Lakeshore looks like sometime but for now just think of about 500 miles of beach surrounding a pretty cool shade of green.
Pray time
1. For the kids this week
- That they will remember everything that they learned this week
- That they will do what they learned this week
2. For the kids coming next week
- They they will open their hearts to God so that he can bless them in ways they didn't know were possible
-That they will have a safe week as well as a fun one
3. Staff
- We are blessed to get a new staff member next week!
- Taylor, Justin and I are worn out so rest for us this weekend so we can pour it all right back out!
- Taylor smashed her finger pretty good while we were moving the beach so pray for that to heal fast.
Remember, you are make perfect in Him
Chris
Monday, June 13, 2011
Week 2 (sorry its late)
Hey everyone! Week 2 is done and staff training is officially over! yea! I am so pumped about camp starting up next week on monday! I cant wait to pour into these kids!
This past week we had a work group come in for a few days to help us get ready for camp. They did things like paint some of the dorms and finish up the blob tower. They also were our guinea pigs for the river float. After they left on Tuesday we finished up the blob and finished up training on the boats.
Some things that I need prayer about this week is for energy. I feel like I have been wearing down from all of the wind and sun that never seem to be in short supply here at the lake. Also, pray for the kids that are hear this week (week 3). They are full of energy and are really excited about camp this week! Thank you for the prayers (especially my hand), I can feel all of them working so dont stop! You really have no idea how much it means to me. I am truly blessed for having so many of yall praying for me each and every week! Well, its off to bed so we can get those boats in the water at 6 for the kids.
May He continue to bless!
Chris
This past week we had a work group come in for a few days to help us get ready for camp. They did things like paint some of the dorms and finish up the blob tower. They also were our guinea pigs for the river float. After they left on Tuesday we finished up the blob and finished up training on the boats.
Some things that I need prayer about this week is for energy. I feel like I have been wearing down from all of the wind and sun that never seem to be in short supply here at the lake. Also, pray for the kids that are hear this week (week 3). They are full of energy and are really excited about camp this week! Thank you for the prayers (especially my hand), I can feel all of them working so dont stop! You really have no idea how much it means to me. I am truly blessed for having so many of yall praying for me each and every week! Well, its off to bed so we can get those boats in the water at 6 for the kids.
May He continue to bless!
Chris
Friday, June 3, 2011
Week 1 - A little pain and a lot of fun....i mean hard work
Heck yes! Summer has officially started at the Lakeshore! Week one was filled with work projects and training secessions that dealt with just about everything there is to do with camp. Taylor Tvede is now here and she has been amazing in just about everything she helps out with (more on that to come). One of the major things that I have been dealing with this week has been injuries. Lots of them. I feel like every day I have a new cut/burn/bruise someplace on my body. The worst of them was a pretty bad burn that I received after leaning on a fresh weld. It wasn't enough to make me want to go home and cry but it defiantly left its mark on my week, and hand.
The majority of the things we focused on this week was cleaning up camp and getting the dorms ready for campers to live in. That involved welding a new hand rail on the house boat dorm and using a snow shovel to clean the bathrooms, yes a snow shovel. As it has proved over the last week and a half or so, it is really windy here. And with that wind comes the blowing sand. That sand gets into everything; shoes, hair, showers, bunks, sealed boxes, etc. You get the point. You know, its funny how God works himself into every aspect of your life if you just stop and look to see where he is. Just like the sand, God is everywhere and he gets into the cracks and crevasses of your life and before you know it, you are constantly walking though the deepness of God (and his sand).
Tomorrow we get our practice group. I mean a work group is coming in. As far as I know they are from Tulsa, OK and are on their way to a conference of some sort. Anyway, they are going to stop in and help us out with all kinds of work projects to help us get on track for camp. We will also be doing a few actives with them so that we will be ready for our kids to come. They are going to be a huge blessing to us and I ask that you pray for them in all of ways you can think of that has to do with work projects and traveling as they start out tomorrow and take off from here Wednesday morning.
Some other things that I can use prayer for is my hand. I really did get a good burn on it and I need it to do a lot of the manual labor that is involved with camp prep work. Also. keep praying for the kids. God is going to rock them this summer and I just want them to be ready and willing when it happens. Finally, for the staff at both the Ranch and the Fort. As a staff we traveled to Lone Tree Ranch yesterday for the "Meet and Greet" between all of the camps in the Lone Tree family. The staffs at both camps are amazing. Pray for the kids that they will get to impact through God this summer and pray that they will have the energy to keep loving on those kids as they so Christ's love to them week after week after week.
Well thats all I have for now. I need to get to sleep so that I can go to my friend Jace's wedding tomorrow afternoon!
Sleep well and may God continue to bless you!
Chris
The majority of the things we focused on this week was cleaning up camp and getting the dorms ready for campers to live in. That involved welding a new hand rail on the house boat dorm and using a snow shovel to clean the bathrooms, yes a snow shovel. As it has proved over the last week and a half or so, it is really windy here. And with that wind comes the blowing sand. That sand gets into everything; shoes, hair, showers, bunks, sealed boxes, etc. You get the point. You know, its funny how God works himself into every aspect of your life if you just stop and look to see where he is. Just like the sand, God is everywhere and he gets into the cracks and crevasses of your life and before you know it, you are constantly walking though the deepness of God (and his sand).
Tomorrow we get our practice group. I mean a work group is coming in. As far as I know they are from Tulsa, OK and are on their way to a conference of some sort. Anyway, they are going to stop in and help us out with all kinds of work projects to help us get on track for camp. We will also be doing a few actives with them so that we will be ready for our kids to come. They are going to be a huge blessing to us and I ask that you pray for them in all of ways you can think of that has to do with work projects and traveling as they start out tomorrow and take off from here Wednesday morning.
Some other things that I can use prayer for is my hand. I really did get a good burn on it and I need it to do a lot of the manual labor that is involved with camp prep work. Also. keep praying for the kids. God is going to rock them this summer and I just want them to be ready and willing when it happens. Finally, for the staff at both the Ranch and the Fort. As a staff we traveled to Lone Tree Ranch yesterday for the "Meet and Greet" between all of the camps in the Lone Tree family. The staffs at both camps are amazing. Pray for the kids that they will get to impact through God this summer and pray that they will have the energy to keep loving on those kids as they so Christ's love to them week after week after week.
Well thats all I have for now. I need to get to sleep so that I can go to my friend Jace's wedding tomorrow afternoon!
Sleep well and may God continue to bless you!
Chris
Friday, May 27, 2011
Week Zero
First of all, I AM AT CAMP!!!!!!! I am so pumped about being here its kind of unreal..... Anyways, this week I moved to camp and dove straight into work. I got to work on !@#$%^*&^%$#$%^& (i can not tell you what it is) at the ranch and then at the Lakeshore I helpped finish and launch the new blob tower! Yes, thats right, a blob. Some of you might not no what that is and thats ok. I am sure there will be pictures posted soon and I know there are some on the Lakeshore's webpage. Today I am in ABQ dopping off and picking up stuff for camp and then its off to the weekend to rest up for staff trainging week! Well thats the update. Keep praying for the kids and please pray that we can still find another staff member for the summer.
May God continue to bless!
Chris
May God continue to bless!
Chris
Monday, May 23, 2011
The last day, before the last day, before I leave for camp!
Today is the last full day I have in Clovis before I take off the the Butte for the summer! I am pretty pumped about this adventure! Some prayer requests that I have in late are:
1. Safe travels to camp
2. Our missing staffer
3. That we will be able to finish up all of pre summer prep work
On Tuesday I will be making half of the 6 hour drive to the lakeshore by spending the night at Lone Tree Ranch. Its half way, so it will make the drive much easier. As for the 'missing staffer', we are a man down at the Lake so please pray that someone will respond to God's calling to come to camp, that is if God has called someone. Lastly, prep work. Oh man, do we have a lot of that stuff to do! And we have to get it done before camp starts in just under 3 weeks from now (I think). We will have a 'work group' of girls I believe to come up and help get everything in working order so that will be a great blessing. Well I need to start packing up all of the junk I am taking with me to camp! Until next time,
Chris
1. Safe travels to camp
2. Our missing staffer
3. That we will be able to finish up all of pre summer prep work
On Tuesday I will be making half of the 6 hour drive to the lakeshore by spending the night at Lone Tree Ranch. Its half way, so it will make the drive much easier. As for the 'missing staffer', we are a man down at the Lake so please pray that someone will respond to God's calling to come to camp, that is if God has called someone. Lastly, prep work. Oh man, do we have a lot of that stuff to do! And we have to get it done before camp starts in just under 3 weeks from now (I think). We will have a 'work group' of girls I believe to come up and help get everything in working order so that will be a great blessing. Well I need to start packing up all of the junk I am taking with me to camp! Until next time,
Chris
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Sleeplessness
So I cant sleep.
This is because I keep thinking about this summer.
I am so excited to see what God has in store for this summer! I really really think that something(s) amazing is going to happen and that lives WILL be changed. I keep thinking of games to get the kids to become more of a community and ways to relate the different activities to how God wants and will work though these kids lifes. I feel God working through me, preparing me for what needs to be done throughout this summer and beyond. One thing that I need right now is prayer that I will not think that God has stopped working in me and that he has done everything that he is going to do for the summer or prepared me for everything that I need prep for. For the first time in a very long time I feel like I am starting to become on fire for God. I do NOT want to put out that fire by thinking that I have this, that I got this, that I am in control. I know that is what the devil is looking for to bring down all the work that God is doing in my life right now. I know that this blog is kind of an on running thought but I just want you guys (whoa I didnt say yall) to know my heart and thats to do what ever it is that God needs me to do and I know that I cant do that alone. Thats why its so important that we up lift each other as we do life with the one who wants to do life with us forever and ever. Coming full circle, I am SO PUMPED for this summer! I have never lost sleep for something because I was excited for it before, no, not even Christmas morning. I hope that I will be able to find the words to express how amazing God is though out this summer so that yall can be just as excited about all of the things that I know he will be doing in the campers lifes as the come and do life with Taylor and I this summer. Thanks for all of the prayers and support! I am going to try and get some sleep...
Chris
This is because I keep thinking about this summer.
I am so excited to see what God has in store for this summer! I really really think that something(s) amazing is going to happen and that lives WILL be changed. I keep thinking of games to get the kids to become more of a community and ways to relate the different activities to how God wants and will work though these kids lifes. I feel God working through me, preparing me for what needs to be done throughout this summer and beyond. One thing that I need right now is prayer that I will not think that God has stopped working in me and that he has done everything that he is going to do for the summer or prepared me for everything that I need prep for. For the first time in a very long time I feel like I am starting to become on fire for God. I do NOT want to put out that fire by thinking that I have this, that I got this, that I am in control. I know that is what the devil is looking for to bring down all the work that God is doing in my life right now. I know that this blog is kind of an on running thought but I just want you guys (whoa I didnt say yall) to know my heart and thats to do what ever it is that God needs me to do and I know that I cant do that alone. Thats why its so important that we up lift each other as we do life with the one who wants to do life with us forever and ever. Coming full circle, I am SO PUMPED for this summer! I have never lost sleep for something because I was excited for it before, no, not even Christmas morning. I hope that I will be able to find the words to express how amazing God is though out this summer so that yall can be just as excited about all of the things that I know he will be doing in the campers lifes as the come and do life with Taylor and I this summer. Thanks for all of the prayers and support! I am going to try and get some sleep...
Chris
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
This is where you can get more to the story
So. The Lakeshore. Its is a wonderful place full of amazing people who do amazing things in the name of our extremely awesome God. But, it is not the only place that God works big time in the life's of many. As I come across them, I will be posting links of other extremely blessed people that are sharing their experiences as they grow this summer and beyond. I enchourage for you to go and read these peoples blogs and keep them in your prayers just as you do for me. I hope you have a great day!
Chris
Lone Tree Ranch
- Morgan Chavez
Moscow (Campus Crusade Summer Project)
- McCall Sanderson
The World Race
- Tyler Hamilton
Chris
Lone Tree Ranch
- Morgan Chavez
Moscow (Campus Crusade Summer Project)
- McCall Sanderson
The World Race
- Tyler Hamilton
Thursday, April 28, 2011
So.... What's at Camp?
Check out this promo video for Lone Tree Lakeshore! After watching that you cant honestly say that you don't what to come check out camp!
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Prepping for summer
Hey everyone! Summer is just around the conner and I feel like I have so much to do still! Everything from finishing up school projects to moving and continuing to raise support for CAMP!!!! Man am I excited for camp! I have some prayer requests to help me get there.
1. Pray for the campers coming to camp
- These kids can potentially have their lives changed radically by the amazing grace of God.
2. Pray about support
- If you havent already or even if you have pray about helping support me this summer
- Just doing a quick calculation in my head, I am about half way there! (I also know about 4 (maybe more) other staff that are not nearly as close to their support goal so pray for them too)
3. Please please pray for the end of my semester!
- Being a senior in college is WAY harder than it was been one in high school. I have projects pilling up to the point that I cant see over them.
- Finals week is May 2nd-6th for NMSU. Then two weeks then CAMP!!!
Thanks again for all of your support!
May HE continue to Bless,
chris
1. Pray for the campers coming to camp
- These kids can potentially have their lives changed radically by the amazing grace of God.
2. Pray about support
- If you havent already or even if you have pray about helping support me this summer
- Just doing a quick calculation in my head, I am about half way there! (I also know about 4 (maybe more) other staff that are not nearly as close to their support goal so pray for them too)
3. Please please pray for the end of my semester!
- Being a senior in college is WAY harder than it was been one in high school. I have projects pilling up to the point that I cant see over them.
- Finals week is May 2nd-6th for NMSU. Then two weeks then CAMP!!!
Thanks again for all of your support!
May HE continue to Bless,
chris
Thursday, March 24, 2011
my video!
Hey guys! Here is my new support video. Feel free to post it anywhere you think it need to be seen!
Monday, March 7, 2011
Support Letter
Support Letter
Dear Amazing Supporter,
I am writing to tell you that I have been accepted on staff at Lone Tree Lake Shore, a Christian camp this summer! The Lakeshore camp is located on Beautiful Elephant butte lake near Truth or Consequences, NM. Campers will have the opportunity to make new friends; to be challenged by activities like Wakeboarding, Water skiing, Tubing, beach volleyball, and more! Through these activities, campers will learn about Christ in a loving, active, and fun environment. Lone Tree Lakeshore is committed to sharing the gospel with young people and helping them grow in their Christian walk.
As a staff member at Lakeshore, I will have the opportunity to impact kids through Bible studies, devotional times, sharing my testimony, and leading activities. Because of how God reveals himself through these things, many kids make first-time decisions for Christ as well as re-dedications to Christ at camp. Because of this, all Lone Tree Camps (Fort Lone Tree, Lone Tree Bible Ranch, Lone Tree Missions and Lake Shore) camper costs are kept to a minimum so anyone who is interested can afford to attend. Camper fees cover about 60% of the cost to run camp. All Lone Tree staff raise their own support to keep camper fees down.
I am asking you to join my support team, both prayerfully and financially, during the upcoming summer. I must raise just over $2200 this summer at Lone Tree. Your support is an investment in the spiritual growth of hundreds of children and I will be posting to a blog to tell you about all of the happenings of camp.
Would you please consider investing in this ministry opportunity? If so, please send a check with my name in the memo line by May 23rd. All support for “Lone Tree, Inc.” is tax deductible, and you will receive a receipt. Also, if I am blessed the the problem of raising too much support, the extra money will flood over into other staff members support accounts. Please contact me if you have any questions.
Thanks for taking time to consider investing in this ministry opportunity!
Yours in Christ,
Chris Wall
Permanent Address:
Chris Wall
2001 Vivian Ave
Clovis NM 88101
Camp Address:
Lone Tree Lakeshore
Attn: Chris Wall
P.O. Box 1886
Elephant Butte, NM 87935
Blog Address:
http://chrisatalake.blogspot.com/
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002348206799&sk=photos
Thank YOU!
Thanks so much for checking out my blog! I hope to post to this blog at the end of each week of camp so that all of my prayer warriors and support team know what God has been doing in the lives of the campers as well as in the lives of the staffers. As for right now, things my prayer requests are:
1. all of my support will be raised
2. for all of the campers and sponsors that will be coming this summer (all 9 weeks of them)
3. for the other staff and myself that we will grow in God and that we can just pour out love into the kids that come.
I am so excited to see what God has in store for us as we get to embark on this journey that will take us someplace unknown and amazing! Thank you again for your support!
chris
Here is the camp address if anyone needs it
*If you have a package shipped to you using UPS or FEDEX the physical address is
1. all of my support will be raised
2. for all of the campers and sponsors that will be coming this summer (all 9 weeks of them)
3. for the other staff and myself that we will grow in God and that we can just pour out love into the kids that come.
I am so excited to see what God has in store for us as we get to embark on this journey that will take us someplace unknown and amazing! Thank you again for your support!
chris
Here is the camp address if anyone needs it
Lone Tree Lakeshore
Attn: Chris
P.O. Box 1886
Elephant Butte, NM 87935
or
chriswall626@gmail.com
Attn: Chris
P.O. Box 1886
Elephant Butte, NM 87935
or
chriswall626@gmail.com
*If you have a package shipped to you using UPS or FEDEX the physical address is
100 Long Point Rd, Elephant Butte, NM 87935
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