JC Training Recap - May 22-25, 2015

Letter to Prayer Coordinators for JC Training, May 22-25

Dear Prayer Warriors,

Thank you for your diligent prayers; they are greatly appreciated.  Once again, we had an amazing weekend during our Junior Counselor Training over May 22-25.  I love watching our junior counselors transform and become leaders.  During our summer camps, our JCs play such an important role at camp.  They work incredibly hard, and help make camp run smoothly.  This training weekend helped prepare the JCs for what is to come during summer camps, and most importantly was a time for the JCs to grow deeper in their walk with God.  One of the ways we did this was through prayer dot groups. 

During the weekend we were split into prayer dot groups.  The idea of the group is that we open up with one another, share the burdens that are on our hearts, and lift each other up in prayer.  As a group, we slowly become closer and closer until we are as close as a dot.  We ask the JCs to be “hot”: honest, open, and transparent.  I had the privilege of having a group of all girls.  During our prayer dots, my girls were able to really open up, and be real and genuine with one another.  It never ceases to amaze me at how faithful God is when putting together the prayer dot groups.  Many of the girls were going through the same struggles and trials.  As heart breaking as it was to hear their prayer requests, it was encouraging to the girls to know that they are not the only ones who are dealing with a particular trial and were reminded they are not alone in their battles.  I was encouraged to hear all of the girls pray for one another.  You could hear the compassion and love these girls had for one another as they lifted one another up in prayer.    

One of my favorite parts about the JC program at camp is that campers have the opportunity to become JCs.  This past training weekend we had many new JCs who were once campers.  It is inspiring to see how God has transformed the lives of these campers. “He also brought me up out of the horrible pit, out of the miry clay.  And set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps.  He put a new song in my mouth” (Psalm 40:2-3).  This verse reigns completely true for the camper JCs.  While many of them are still going through a healing process, they are most definitely changed and walk with a new song that God has given them.  You can see the desire in their hearts to grow closer to God, and the desire to serve him.   

Thank you for all your prayers, and the commitment to pray for camp.  Please continue to pray for the upcoming summer camps, and the work God has planned.

To God be the glory,

Ariel

Summer Staff 2015