Later that evening, the kids filed into what is the "sanctuary" at this camp. It's really what we would call a gym, but with the most amazing lighting it became an awesome venue. The worship started and the kids were on. They belted out the tunes and danced like their lives depending on it. They did not care what their neighbors thought, but only cared about their audience of one. Day one proved to be one of the most amazing worship experiences.
Day two, met with morning dew, and a gentle breeze. It was beautiful, and the sun coming over the canyon wall made for the most dynamic moments. It's just God's promise coming to wish us good day. That night in the service, the song "How He Loves Us" ministered to our hearts, and was ironic since the message of Salvation was preached. Throngs of kids were touched and walked forward ready for a change in their lives. It was heavy, and The Presence of God was flowing like water. They crowded the stage; the multitude was so great they even crowded onto the stage. As they prayed in faith to receive all the Jesus did for them, there was not an adult with a dry eye.
The next day was even more amazing, there were enormous tests and even greater battles. Where there was battle, and where there were tests, there was victory. It's very interesting, because this nights message was all about overcoming fear. The story of David and Goliath, and others who had courage. The veil on the memory verse for camp was lifted as those words of Deuteronomy 31:6 became part of each child's life. Then came the faith part of the evening. The children were asked to walk forward if they were dealing with a giant. As the adults lined the front of the stage hundreds of kids marched to the front and dropped their giant off to a leader. As you could imagine, the kids walked more uprightly as they had the weight of that fear off their shoulders.
The final day seem to roll by like a movie reel showing the feature film. It was again met with a few battles and the kids walked out their fears with even greater tenacity. That night as everyone piled into the "sanctuary," there was a since that something amazing was about to happen. You could almost see everyone leaning forward in their seats as the anticipation set in. The worship was phenomenal, and you could almost smell the incense of praise as it rose to The King. Even more of His presence blasted each person gathered in the room. "Heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss..." melted our hearts, and absolutely changed who we were. Then the preaching began. Tonight God would introduce His "Helper." Holy Spirit was there, and He was ready to baptize these children and adults in His empowering Presence. The children raced to the front to receive the "Helper," and to immerse themselves in all that God had for them. As they receive their gifts, they practiced while filing back to their chairs. Then more worship. It was so intense as Abba shown His love down on us. "Oh how He loves us... We are His portion and He is our prize."
The next morning the curtains closed, and the buses and the entire caravan drove up the hill of the canyon, looking back to bid the place were God met them goodbye; laughing knowing that now they will meet with Him daily.
Peace
-b