Here we are again with another week of summer camp looming on the horizon.  It always seems so stressful at the begining of the week, but then as the week progresses I realize just how much of a blessing it really is.  I know there are campers out there chomping-at-the-bit, hardly being able to wait the two more days until they arrive, while here at the ranch we are busy preparing for their arrival.  We are evaluating the schedules, pairing horses with campers, and preparing the daily devotions and chapel lessons.  Bring on Week 2 of Summer Camp!

June 7th thru the 13th was the camp for ages 8-11.  We had 12 campers who thoroughly enjoyed themselves throughout the week.  We did games like who could transfer the most Q-tips from one plate to another with the glob of vaseline on their nose and missionary versus head-hunters.  Crafts included shrinkydinks and a rock snake.  The lesson theme was Obedience, with the Veggie Tales Jonah movie shown on Wednesday night.  The campers learned about cattle, goats, sheep, and chickens in animal science.  They even had a special surprise on Wednesday when two of the mother hen's eggs hatched out fuzzy chicks:)  And on Friday we had a visit from a lady who is a hawker.  She brought her falcon and told about the sport.  And of course, everyone got to ride.  We had a few that had never ridden before and it was fun for them to be able to show their parents what they had learned in a week of camp.  A new event this year was driving.  Each camper got to learn how to drive a cart and donkey.  Then at the end of the week, they each received their "driver's license."  Also new this year was the daily puppet show.  The counselors and teen staff got the joy of putting on a puppet show for the campers and they loved it.  Even though the campers were rolling in laughter, I think the puppeteers were receiving the most benifit.  It was lots of fun!

Well, onward and upward, "if only I may complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me -- the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace."  Ready for another week of summer camp!