Biggest Highlight of the Week - Session #6, July 18-22

Session #6, July 18-22, 7th-9th Grade

Dear Prayer Warriors and Camp Family,

We want to thank you all for your thoughts, prayers, and support during Session #6. Without these things, camp would be much harder, if not impossible.

I, Leah, want to give you an update on this past week. Shawna was born in Japan to parents who were considered missionaries, but were actually in a cult. They believed in a God who should only be feared. They were extremely legalistic, and would beat their children when they did anything slightly “wrong.” Shawna and her siblings would end up with bruises covering their hands, bottoms, and thighs. The parents would make the young children fast and starve them anywhere from three to ten days. When Shawna was about 15 years old her parents came back to America.  Shawna's older sister ran away and fled because the circumstances were getting out of control. Shawna was left alone and felt abandoned, but what she did not understand was that her sister went and called the cops on her parents. Shortly after that, Shawna was taken away. 

She is now in a Bible believing foster home and accepted Christ as her loving, gentle, and compassionate Savior. On one-on-ones, Shawna had mentioned that when she grows up she would like to become a Christian rap artist and a missionary. Later on that week at camp, Shawna was given that amazing opportunity to rap with one of our staff members in front of the whole camp! She did an excellent job and in her words, “rapping here at Camp Alandale was the biggest highlight of my week, maybe my whole summer!” Although God is doing an awesome work in her life, she still needs prayer. Shawna desperately needs Christ’s strength to forgive her parents. Shawna also needs healing form all the scars her past abuses have left on her soul.

On the first night of camp, Rosa shared her story with me (Bekah). Sitting on a bench beneath the trees, she unfolded the highs and lows of her childhood years. She’d grown up in Oregon in a Christian family and just recently discovered that her dad had sexually abused her older sister. Trying to escape the pain, her sister had attempted to kill herself multiple times, and when her dad found out he demanded that she stop. She agreed to it for the sake of Rosa, saying, “I’m only doing this to protect her.” Voice breaking and tears streaming down her face, Rosa recounted the details to me, and asked how her dad could do that. “He called himself a Christian!” Sadly, Rosa confessed that she struggled to sort through all the memories of her dad—the good and the bad, and how to make sense of it. 

As the week progressed, I watched Rosa grow in her understanding of God as her perfect heavenly Father. Though her earthly father has forsaken her, God has never once left her side and He proved that to her at camp. Please pray that she would reconcile her relationship with her dad and that God would continue to strengthen her faith and encourage her. Again, we want to thank you for your prayers and support. May God bless you abundantly.

In Christ alone,

Leah Dickinson & Bekah Woods

Summer Staff 2016

That's My One-on-One - Session #5, 7th-9th Grade

Session #5, July 11-15, 7th-9th Grade

Dear Prayer Warriors and Camp Family,

Last week, Session #5 from July 11-15, was another counseling week for me and I was blessed to be very emotionally stretched by my girls. One of my campers was named Tiffany, she was taken away from her parents when she was young because her family was addicted to drugs and has been in five foster homes since then. She was such a sweet girl, she held my other camper when she was feeling sick, and she treated all of the other campers with such love. She has been going to church and has known God as her Savior since she was young.

Right now she is in a good home but there is a family that she has known for a while who wants to adopt her, and I thank God for that. They are a Mormon family and she loves them so much. At first I was worried about them being Mormon, scared that she would be confused by their teachings. But I asked her who she believes Jesus is and she said, “He is God, the way to get to Heaven.” The family takes her to their house on weekends and is throwing her a birthday party in August. They take care of her and she loves all of the children in the family. So although she will be faced with some challenges to theology in the future, she is going to be safe and loved and I think that is where God wants her to be. Pray that she stays close to God as she goes into high school, that she would fall even greater in love with him.

My other camper's name was Jenn. She is highly functioning handicapped, but she could run, laugh, and play like any of the other kids. She was very clingy during amphitheater time, I gladly endured many dead arms during the week. She liked to play games of being mad at me, not talking to or looking at me and sitting far away. Then she would take my hand, pull me aside and say "we need to talk" and apologize for the way she had been treating me. She also has epilepsy, and had a few seizures during the week. The first time we were walking together and she dropped to the ground, clung to my legs and tried to push her head through my legs. I was very confused as to what was happening, but eventually she stood up, walked to a table to sit down and told me she was having a seizure. Throughout the week she would fake a few of them, not fall to the floor or anything, but tell me she was going to have a seizure in order to get the attention.

The other campers would also give her the attention she desired, hugging her and holding her hand as she walked. It was emotionally stressful for me because I didn't want to take a seizure lightly, but her parents confirmed she uses them as an excuse for attention. But God was good and there was no real complication. I think she went home feeling loved and I hope that she associates that love with God. God also used her to encourage me that I am doing a good job as a counselor. She shared her testimony at a campfire time, and in the middle of it she said, "That’s my one-on-one over there, she is very nice. My one-on-one takes good care of me. I like my one-on-one.” We have times where we talk with just one of our campers and it’s called one-on-one, which is where my nickname came from. Please pray with me that God heals Jenn's seizures and continues to protect her.

Thank you so much for your prayers,

Allie Hitchcock

Summer Staff 2016

Full of Love and Compassion - Session #4, 7th-9th Grade

Session #4, July 4-8, 7th-9th Grade

Dear Prayer Warriors and Camp Family,

Thank you for your labor of love for this ministry and to the Lord above. This week I, Bekah, had the privilege of sharing the hope of Christ with Dawn and Sarah. “Does God really answer prayer?” Dawn wondered one night. “How do you know?” After sharing stories of God’s faithfulness in my life, I suggested that we ask God for a shooting star. She’d never seen one before and hesitantly uttered the request. Within a few minutes, a bright light shot across the sky. Dawn witnessed her first shooting star and God’s answer to prayer.

Throughout the week she asked all kinds of questions about God, “If God loves us, why do bad things happen?” and “Why am I here?” were just a few of her inquiries about faith. She hungered to know the truth. Thursday evening around the campfire, she shared her story and decided right then to give her life to the Lord. Immediately, the two of us snuck off to the spot where she’d prayed for a star, and this time she prayed to join God’s family. With palpable excitement, Dawn spoke of telling others about her commitment and always remembering that night. For on July 7, 2016, Dawn became a child of God.

Later in the week, while watching her skip from rock to rock down the creek, I thought about God’s heart for her as a Father. Full of love and compassion, His eyes are on His child, beckoning her to come to Him and find life. He sees her and knows her intimately, for she is fearfully and wonderfully made in His image. Piggy-back rides to and from the tables, bedtime talks about the meaning of life, and the childlike faith Dawn possessed, reminded me of God’s goodness to welcome us into His family. “See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God…” 1 John 3:1. What wondrous love is this, oh my soul!

This week I, Brian, was blessed to be able to invest in the lives of Sherman and Brandon.  Every soul that comes to camp is being contested, but I had a special sense of that this week in the lives of my campers. It was a joy to watch as each morning Sherman would make the effort to read his Bible and tell the other boys in his cabin who God is. Yet, one moment he would be joyful and shortly after he would be loudly demanding that I don’t pray for him. He was at times innocent as a small child and then hardened and rebellious. I found myself driven to my knees often in prayer for him. Thank you for keeping me accompany in prayer for him. It broke my heart seeing Satan’s attempts at derailing Sherman's life, and I am glad to have been able to pour into him, reminding him of the depth of affection God has for him and of God’s truths which alone can counter the lies.

We appreciate your prayers so much and are very grateful for your ministry to us throughout the weeks at Camp Alandale. God is greatly to be praised!

To God be the glory,

Bekah Woods & Brian Morris

Summer Staff 2016

Transformation of New Joy - Session #3, 7th-9th Grade

Session #3, June 27-July 1, 7th-9th Grade

Dear Prayer Warriors and Camp Family,

This week for Session #3 I, Ariel, had two amazing campers, Cristie and Holly.  This was Cristie's first time! She shared with me that she did not really want to come, but how she was so glad that she did. Holly was super sweet and was ready to hear the Gospel and let the Bible studies soak in. By the end of the week she gave her heart to God. Her brother Adam also made a decision to live for Christ. Please join me in prayer that God would help them find a church to attend.

My other camper, Cristie, had a more difficult time.  Cristie has come to camp a few times and was fighting to open up and allow God to heal her heart.  She claims to be a Christian and is trying to grow in God.  She is very insecure and concerned with how others perceive her. Throughout the whole week she slowly opened up to me about what has happened and what she is facing now. Some weeks feel like a roller coaster with the information you find out about your camper and this was one of them. My camper started to have feelings for another girl camper, she shared that she has tried to commit suicide multiple times, and I found out she was inflicting self-harm at camp. I saw God make little changes in her heart day-by-day, knowing that these were big victories for Cristie. It was hard to see a beautiful young girl feel so insecure about herself and find no worth in who she is in God. Pray Cristie would hold on to the promises she has learned about God, and that she would not inflict pain on herself.

God blessed me, Allie, with two relatively easy campers for my first week of counseling. My campers’ names were Regina and Heaven and both loved camp and were eager to join in on all of the activities. Both of them poured out their stories to me on the first one-on-ones. 

Heaven's story was especially inspiring to me. Right now, she’s living in Orangewood and has been in and out of Foster Care ever since she was an infant. She has a past of being beaten down by her mother, but God has given her such a strong soul. She took taking care of her younger siblings into her own hands. Most inspiring of all, she spoke up for herself when she couldn’t take the abuse any longer and had herself and her siblings moved to Orangewood when she reported the abuse to the police. Starting on the first night, she told me that she knew God has a plan for her life, and she knew He had been with her all along. Her knowledge of God’s Word was small but she already came to camp with a lot of faith. On Wednesday night she shared her testimony in front of the other campers and told me she felt light and free afterwards.

I definitely saw a transformation of new joy and hope in her demeanor. Thursday night, the last night at camp, we played on the grass and stared up at the stars and I was blessed by hearing her amazement in God’s creation. We talked about how precious we are in God’s eyes, that if he took the time to make each star, how much more he values us, his children. On the last day of camp I asked her what God had been teaching her. She said God was showing her that she is important and loved. Goal accomplished! My prayer for her is that she continues to seek God in her life and that she would learn to lean on him for strength. Also pray for her that she would be placed into a loving and safe group or foster home. Thank you so much for your prayers.

With Christ’s Love,

Ariel Bogue & Allie Hitchcock

Summer Staff 2016

Our Labor is not in Vain - Session #2, 4th-6th Grade

Session #2, June 20-24, 4th-6th Grade

Dear Prayer Warriors and Camp Family,

             Hello, my name is Garrett Denbaugh and I am so blessed to be able to serve up at camp this summer. This week, Session #2, was by far the most challenging and difficult week of camp for me. I was stretched to a point where my prayers turned from, “Father, give the energy and strength to last the rest of this week,” to “Father, I am running on empty. Would you please carry me to the end of the week? Speak through and be patient through me as you would to these campers.” My campers did end up teaching me a ton about myself and the God I serve.

My campers were Will and George. Will was this adorable kid with a smile that could make anyone’s day so much better. Will struggles with anger and has a hard time controlling his moods. He could be sitting at the tables laughing and having a great time, and out of nowhere he could be throwing punches at another camper. I had never met someone like Will before, so in the beginning of the week I had a hard time dealing with him in a manner that would stimulate growth. Prayer was my biggest weapon to fight whatever the enemy was doing in this child. One day as he and I were walking to the amphitheater, I encouraged him to pray every time he lost his temper. Sure enough, every time he got upset and ran off, I would ask if he wanted to pray about it and most of the time we would. He quickly learned that he needed God to cover him with his peace and joy. I kept thinking back to Psalm 32:10 where David writes, “Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord.” It’s that word “surround” that brought me encouragement in those times of prayer because God really wants to surround these campers with his love, overflowing their hearts, being the only one that can truly satisfy.

My other camper was pretty difficult. He wouldn’t listen to me, he would interrupt me constantly, and he would provoke any of the other campers that would mess with him. George had a lot of leadership qualities in him, but unfortunately struggled with the same things a lot of leaders struggle with. George was prideful and believed he was always right in everything he did. He would never apologize when he messed up and would not listen to me when I encouraged him to “be the bigger man” and “turn the other cheek.” At the end of the week, my heart was so heavy for him because I felt like he did not listen to a single thing that I was trying to teach him. However, I was reminded of 1 Corinthians 15:57 where Paul writes, “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain.” This verse gives me the confidence to know that every camper that comes to Camp Alandale is in the hands of our Sovereign Lord, who loves them unconditionally. Not every camper will respond in the way that you would hope, but our labor is not in vain and God has a great plan for Will, George, and all of the other campers. Thank you for praying for us! 

Sincerely,
Garrett Denbaugh
Summer Staff 2016

A Weight Lifted Off - Session #1, June 13-17

Session #1, June 13-17, 4th-6th Grade

Dear Prayer Warriors and Camp Family,

It was Rich's first time at Camp Alandale when he stepped off the bus Monday morning. He was kind and excited for camp, but as the day progressed it was obvious that he was carrying a heavy burden. At amphitheater and campfire the first day, tears would well up in his eyes and pour down his cheeks. Each time he would cry he would ask to go to the bathroom, not wanting anyone to witness his emotion. That night, he lay on top of his sleeping bag, not even desiring to cover himself in its warmth, and he cried silently through the night.

The following day, his emotions continued to be aroused and now, instead of asking he would suddenly run off to the bathroom to hide his tears. While he was enjoying camp, his past continued to interrupt his day and overcome him with emotions he did not understand. During counselor prayer, Rich was prayed for and the counselors asked God to help him sleep through the night. By God’s grace that simple prayer was answered, and as God often does He went above and beyond the counselors’ request.

Wednesday evening at campfire time, after two counselors had shared their testimonies the opportunity was presented for the campers to share their life stories. To his counselor’s utter surprise, Rich's hand was the first hand in the air. Rich walked boldly to the front of the amphitheater, sat down in front of the fire, took the microphone in his hands, and told the entire camp his life story. Rich's father had left their family when Rich was just a toddler, and Rich's mother raised him and two younger brothers. His family recently moved from Michigan to California, but after a brief stay with their aunt, the boys were taken into foster care. Rich and his brothers are now living in a group home. While there were few details to Rich's story, as he shared the pain and anger he felt towards his father for leaving them, the tears once more rushed down his face. Only this time, rather than running to the bathroom to hide his perceived weakness Rich continued to tell his story and was received with many hugs by fellow campers when he finished sharing.

That night during his one-on-one, Rich admitted that he had struggled with showing emotion in front of people, but he felt like he had conquered a fear by telling his story even through the tears of his pain. And that evening, Rich got in his bed, took off his shoes, wrapped himself in his sleeping bag, and slept soundly through the night.

At the conclusion of the week, during Victory Circle when campers receive awards from their counselors, Rich received an award stating that “Rich is COURAGEOUS.” Rich is courageous for facing his fear and for recognizing the emotion tied to his past. He is courageous because he cares for his brothers and cares for his fellow campers.

God is good, isn’t He? He boldly answers our prayers, and often He does more than we even ask Him. Rich not only conquered his fear by God’s help, but he also now knows that God loves him and protects him as His Heavenly Father. Just as Romans 8 says, Rich as a follower of Christ is now God’s adopted child and coheir with Christ, whereby he can boldly call upon God as his “Abba! Father!” Rich's counselor could not help but think that as Rich wrapped himself in his sleeping bag after telling his life story, a weight had been lifted off of him and he now slept under the warm protection of His Heavenly Father.

In God’s Grace,

Alex Mailhot-Beutel
Summer Staff 2016

Effective & Efficient - Summer Staff Training

Letter to Prayer Coordinators for Summer Staff Training, June 5-10

Dear Prayer Coordinators,

My name is Jacob Williams and I am currently serving on Summer Staff for the 2016 summer. I have had the privilege of waiting four years to serve in this capacity and God, through the Holy Spirit, has taught me a few things. First, that God’s timing will always be perfect and in order. Second, that He will allow situations and circumstances to occur so that the testing of my faith will produce greater fruit leading to righteous living and self-sacrificial serving. These lessons, along with many others, have better prepared me personal to firmly grasp the purpose of my presence at Camp Alandale for the summer and long after.

Having these elements in mind, Summer Staff Training week served as an effective and efficient vehicle for implementing into practical application, the many lessons I had been taught. The training in and of itself was not burdensome but rather greatly welcomed as I had spent the last four years behind a desk at Cal Baptist University and had become, well, restless. Needless to say, I have grown to appreciate the training, staff, directors, and behind the scenes individuals as I have been allowed to see just how much time and energy and love goes into Camp Alandale and therefore into the campers. I am reminded of Proverbs 21:5, “Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.” Seeing the hard work and good planning come to fruition here at Camp Alandale has created a desire for me personally to strive to do better for the name of Christ and my fellow brothers and sisters in the faith of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

My name is Luke Kockler and I am serving at Camp Alandale for the very first time this summer. I am very grateful for all of the prayers on my behalf. I had spent the last three weeks travelling with Moody’s Men’s Choir in Southern Africa. I arrived at Camp Alandale around one o’clock in the morning, and I was wiped out. I was greeted warmly by Brian, a Camp Alandale counselor, and was helped to my cabin. Although this is my first time with Camp Alandale, I had no idea what to expect. I woke up and went down to the meeting lodge and met my fellow staff and companions for summer 2016. After breakfast we worshipped God and did a devotion followed by testimonies. I was very glad to see that the directors are concerned with our spiritual lives and desire to keep us fed.

Recovering from a nine hour jet-lag isn’t easy when you’re working all day. Fortunately, the jobs we were required to do were not too strenuous and actually helped me recover. I was able to find time to relax, yet completed the tasks and training modules that needed to be done. I’m looking forward to seeing how God will sustain me and provide energy and passion to serve and love these troubled children this summer. This is going to be very challenging to lead worship and counsel campers every other week. Training week has sufficiently equipped me with the knowledge and tools needed to provide a fun and safe environment for campers all summer. Again, thank you so much for praying for us and we ask that you continue to pray that we would effectively use the gifts given to us to edify and love these kids.

In God’s Love,
Jacob Williams & Luke Kockler
Summer Staff 2016

Show Me What I Need to Know - JC Training, May 27-30

Letter to Prayer Coordinators for JC Training, May 27-30

Dear Prayer Coordinators,

Thank you for your prayers for our JC Training Camp over May 27-30. It was a great weekend to introduce the JCs to the new facility and welcome many new JCs into the Camp Alandale family. We had tons of fun and got to witness God’s work in the hearts of the JCs. I asked a few JCs to share their reflections with you.

Natalie, a camper JC shared, “From being a camper to being a JC, Camp Alandale is always a great escape for me. Every time I go I learn something new. This time around I learned that I cannot do things in my own strength. I have to have God by my side. Repeatedly, whether it was through someone’s testimony or just random things people said, I heard that I have to have God by my side. At the end of the weekend we were given time to reflect and see what God wanted us to take from the weekend. I went outside and said a prayer. I prayed to God and asked him to show me what it was that I needed to know. At that point, I opened up my Bible to Philippians 4 and came across 4:13, ‘I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.’ In this, I realized I can't do it on my own. After that I remembered a verse from the beatitudes, Matthew 5:3, ‘God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.’ I came to realize not only that I want him to be my encouragement, but I need him all the time.”

Elijah, a first time JC said, “JC training at Camp Alandale was definitely a learning experience for me. Spending a weekend of uninterrupted time with people I had never met, regardless of the reason, was not something I've ever been very good at. Thankfully, God gave me peace and kept me from worrying about the impressions I made to the other JC's, all of whom are now friends of mine. But, my anti-social tendencies aren't the only thing that were abated. To be one-hundred percent honest, I was terrified that I would make mistakes almost all weekend. My perfectionist mind couldn't handle not understanding how things worked or where they went. Despite my silent fretting, I never had an issue. As much as my pride would like to say otherwise, I know this isn't because I'm such a quick-learner, or even a normal-learner. I had to give my fear of failure over to God, so that He could get me to see all the other great things going on. I could enjoy real conversations with the JC's and dancing (if you could call moving awkwardly to songs you've never heard before "dancing") because I wasn't worried about making mistakes. Granted, I don't expect to walk into the dish-room and pull a 'Mary Poppins', snapping my fingers and having all the dishes clean themselves; however, I know that my best effort is all that's required of me. God can and will see to the rest. Psalm 25:9 says that ‘He leads the humble in doing right.’ I can look to enjoy my weeks at camp this summer because training taught me (among other, more specific things) to trust God with my fears, and He will help me through any situation.

Andi, another camper JC explained, “At camp a verse that kept coming to me was 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, ‘Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you who belongs to Christ Jesus.’ Camp has shown me to never stop praying to God even when I don’t hear an answer from God at that very moment. It doesn’t mean he isn’t paying attention. Also, God has challenge me to not be afraid in opening my heart to new people in my life. He also challenged me to talk about Scripture to my coworkers and classmates. My favorite moment was when we played Catch Phrase our last night together even though everyone was tired, but still wanted to talk and goof around. My other favorite moment was when the bus broke down and we all got out and started playing charades and laughing at each other. At that moment I thanked God for giving me lasting friendships.”

As you can see, God was at work during the weekend. Thank you for praying for us! We look forward to sharing more stories with you as the summer gets going. All glory and honor to God our Father.

God bless,

The Camp Directors at Camp Alandale