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