Unbelievably, Session Three is coming to a close. This one is full of long-time Strong Rock fans, and there were many tears at the closing Tribal Council ceremony, especially among the Hero II age campers who have had their last session here because of age. We gave out 19 five-year paddles this session and had many more handed out to campers who have been here between 6 and 11 summers! That’s a lot of summers spent here, and we are so very grateful camp means that much to these campers. They describe Strong Rock as their “home away from home,” and we don’t take the weight of what it means to them lightly! We pray always that this will be a place of peace for them.
This summer our theme is Impossible Peace, with banners and shirts modeled after the Mission Impossible movie franchise. The theme verse is Philippians 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Every year we pray about a theme; what the Lord would want campers to learn about and ponder while they are at camp and hopefully take home and put into practice. The world is so anxious, so full of worry and fretting and the opposite of peace. There are many reasons we could talk about as to why that is, but regardless of the causes, the antidote and answer to it doesn’t change! Living life in relationship with the Lord, forgiven through the sacrifice of Jesus taking our sin and its eternal consequences on Himself, and now being at peace with our creator, leads us to internal peace and peace with others.
It’s been really great to talk about what the Bible says is the answer to anxiety these two weeks. In Lifelines (daily Bible time together) we’ve been through practical things like what the Bible tells us to think about, how right action follows right thinking, prayer, how trusting in the Lord brings peace, and many other Scriptural principles. Additionally, not having a phone or tablet to be distracted by gives us all time at camp to think about life’s important things. (I’m pretty sure just being away from them for two weeks helps in the peace department as well!)
It’s been a real joy to hang out with this group and we will miss them! We are praying that they go home tired and worn out in the best kind of way, full of peace, and looking forward to being back at their home away from home next summer!