On the 3rd Day, Freeman kids and Guac O Clock

A seven day YL camp like Malibu is designed to allow kids a chance to process the gospel with enough information to be able to say 'I'm in' or 'No thanks' (not yet) by day 6. Well...day 3 we had our first two kids here say 'yes' to start a relationship with God. Both Spokane girls heard our speaker share how we fill our lives with and chase things other than God, hoping they will fulfill us in a way only God designed for us to experience. One sobbed through the entire cabin time, and when called upon, she expressed this was what she had been trying to figure out for years and is ready. The other was more matter of fact, articulating to her leader that she had always had been close but never knew how to actually start living into a relationship with God. Jesus’ invitation to do life fully with God and not live all for oneself is really good news to teenagers.

Kids from Freeman HS are pictured here, dressed like M&Ms. Freeman is where the school shooting took place a year and a half ago, many of these girls were in the hallway in view of the horrific event. They are encountering Jesus amidst all the trauma they’ve been through. Thankful for Makinzie, Mary and Ernie who teamed up to make sure these kids can be kids, find Jesus amidst their trauma and rediscover hope and future. Praying the same for young people in El Paso, Dayton and Gilroy who also endured a mass shooting. Jesus draw near to those who've seen the worst.

Ever heard of "Guac O'clock?" It is ANYTIME guacamole is served. As part of Tanya’s Latina roots,  is the passio for making guacamole for guests, alongside Janna. Bringing the assignment team together with guac is a way that Tanya, as camp director, has aimed to serve with excellence. Here’s a time lapse of guac o’clock: https://youtu.be/MWbFICYg_cw

The next two days, kids will hear how Jesus gave his life that we could fully live knowing we are loved and having no barrier between us and God, and that he is alive and well. Kids get two 15 minute time of quiet to sit, listen, pray and consider Gods offer to them. Pray!

In fact, after I posted this, during the 15 min time, this scene of Spokane kids from Rogers and North Central kids who climbed up on the rooftop of the Totem Inn. Reminds me of the gospel story of the four friends taking their paralytic friend up on the roof to try to get get them in up close and in front of Jesus. Success. And side note, the mountains in the background is a spot where I first heard God speak to me when I was on a Beyond Malibu hiking trip. Word of God speak!

An update from previous prayer requests...camp director Tanya's and musician Maddie's voices are much better, and they are gaining strength by the day. Janna's broken foot is a bummer but her resilient spirit is keeping her trucking along and fully engaging with campers and the team here.