| "Christ at Camp" I can hear the sound of a leaf blower making its way between the long wooden benches urging the small pieces of balloons and candy wrappers to exit the tabernacle. The trash bags are stacked outside of Wesley and Asbury hall waiting for pick-up. The labored steps of volunteers can be heard going up and down stairs carrying craft supplies, a popcorn machine, left over t-shirts, kitchen supplies, paper, and recreation equipment to the storage facility until the next camping season. In short, we were bringing another Santa Claus Camping season to a close. It is a bittersweet time as the quietness of the campers' absence permeates the air. Hundreds of children and young adults came pouring into the 80 acres with anticipation and expectation. Adult volunteers put on this year's counselor t-shirt and nametags and prepared to serve those who arrived. The pool filled with swimmers, the lake with canoers the dining hall with hungry appetites. Worship was celebrated and small groups worked through different scriptures and discussed their application to their lives. Prayers were lifted and communion shared. Storms were experienced and games were played. But what makes it all so humbling is when a graduate stands up at the campfire and shares that this simple little campground is so special because this is where "I accepted Christ!" Wow. Among all of the activities and planned experiences, Christ gets through. More than one graduate share this experience and many of the youngest campers shared how they accepted Christ during communion which will allow them to complete the cycle one day by standing up at the campfire and sharing how special this simple little campground is to them. It's all about the one. The individual. The simple relationship between each camper and Jesus. Just as the woman searched her whole house looking for her lost coin; Jesus searches the whole campground looking for his lost children. He always finds them. I will never cease to be amazed by the power of God's Spirit entering into the heart of new Christ follower. There is much to celebrate before next year's camping season. Today, celebrate God's searching for you. And if not already, may you be found. Sharing in Faith,
Rev. Craig W. Duke
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