Friday Camp Update

What a week it has been for our 27 servants at Camp of the Hills on Lake Travis! Eric said that he has enjoyed watching our teens WANT to serve this week...and honestly, who would not want to serve God's children in this beautiful setting?

Thursday is traditionally burger night at Camp...here are our teens preparing to serve the burgers.

After the burgers on Thursday night, it is a tradition for the college counselors to reenact the crucifixion scene for the campers. This year's reenactment was a bit more realistic since the campers were older. It was complete with a resurrection scene this morning.

Kortnee & Kristen making rice krispie treats.

Our group even found time to play baloon basketball using Bobby's arms as the hoop.

Brittany with one of the campers.

This is quite a piece of art on Morgan's head!

Eric reassured me that the group got lots of rest last night in preparation for their final full day of service. They are preparing Mexican Casserole for Friday's dinner and will get to enjoy the meal while the counselors serve and clean up!

Please keep them in your prayers as they travel home tomorrow. We will ask the teens to call their parents when they get to Tyler tomorrow. Their estimated time of arrival is still around 7 or 8 pm.

Thursday Post

Wow...it is Thursday and the smiles keep coming! I can tell our teens are having a great week of serving and lots of laughter along the way!

Brittany, KrisAnn, Shannon, & Morgan making jello cups
Mama Kaki threw an ice cream party for our crew...with leis and all!

How many teens can we fit in a van?

Sweeping out the swimming hole Wednesday afternoon.

Making biscuit dough Thursday morning.

This last part of the week will bring a little more entertainment for our crew. Last night was the camp talent show, tonight is the Crucifixion reinactment, and Friday night is awards night.

Please remember you can leave comments below for anyone on the trip.

Wednesday Camp Update

Here are a few pictures from Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning.

Sydney & Brenda celebrated their 15th birthday Tuesday...in style! This is becoming quite a trend for them to spend their birthday week doing mission work-they are such beautiful servants!

Making cookies...I'm sure none of them licked their fingers during the process! :-)

Making me super jealous...Carsen, Steph, Shannon, and Baker cutting watermelon for camper snacks.

KrisAnn...a watermelon artist!

Looks like Eric is taking orders from the master chef!

Thankfully our teens get to take turns in the washroom! It is a huge job!

Preparing mid-morning snacks for the campers.

Brittany and a few others woke up at 5 am this morning to begin preparing pancakes for everyone!

Here is a quote from Eric's e-mail addressing the "state of the group" earlier this morning:
They're doing good. Everyone's dragging just a bit at the moment, some have been here in the dining hall since 6am making pancakes this morning, and the rest of us since 7, so we're all pretty tired, as you know it's kinda non-stop with cleaning and then resetting the tables. This afternoon Mel's asked us to help him drain the pool and completely clean out the bottom of the pool with brooms and a fire hose, so no rest for the weary! But we've been really proud of them.

We are so proud of this group and look forward to hearing more humbling and exciting experiences from their week!

Camp of the Hills-Tuesday Post

This past Sunday, 17 teens and 10 adults left Longview to serve as the Kitchen Crew at Camp of the Hills for the coming week. This week is a high school week at camp and they will serve around 150 campers, staff, & counselors 3 meals/day until Saturday breakfast. You can see that their first day on the job was full of smiles and dirty hands!

Shannon, Courtney, Braylin, Eric, Morgan, & Baker preparing to serve their cabin.

Sydney & Sam...all smiles in the washroom.

Kristen, Kortnee, & Courtney enjoying a brand new experience!

lots of choppin...

These ladies are pros!

3-year veterans!

Donna's cooking class...

Mason & Brittany now know what an oven is!

Betty & Carnes are a great addition to this year's crew!

Check back daily for updates & please keep our crew in your prayers this week!

Fun Day at Padre

After a week of hard labor and lots of service, our McAllen team enjoyed a day at Padre-Schlitterbahn and on the beach. The group returned home safe Friday evening and are continuing to share stories from their experience and bask in God's great love!

Carmen & Sophie

Bobby & Morgan

The group enjoying the saltwater

Shannon & crew enjoying the rides

Finding the perfect shell...

Thursday morning update...

Thanks to Dee Anne, here are a few pictures from the group's final workday in the Valley. I think these guys are ready to be hired!

This is serious business for Morgan!

Braylin has mastered a new skill!

Kortnee, Sophie, Carmen, and Kristen with the little girl who lives in the house they are painting...I think her name is Lemni.

All smiles from Shannon...we are so thankful for Shannon's positive and upbeat personality...and for her knowledge of the Spanish language! I hope she will want to hang out with us again next summer!

Carmen taking a much deserved break!

Our very wonderful and hard-working missionaries at the Palmview Church of Christ, Jose & Marilu Cabello. They are always such an encouragement to our group!

Our girls with Lemni awaiting the last day of VBS.

This shot was actually posed on Sunday, but I bet it was an accurate representation of them yesterday after the last child left VBS. An estimated 100 kids came to enjoy the final day of VBS at Palmview!

The weather looks great for the group's trip to Padre Schlitterbahn today! Please keep their travels in your prayers. They will keep us updated tomorrow concerning their approximate return time to Alpine. I can't wait to give these kids a hug!

Wednesday Morning Update

These pictures are becoming harder and harder to see...without getting to experience the week in person with these beautiful and hard-working servants! I think our group was a bit overwhelmed yesterday as 80 kids came to VBS, but from these smiles. you can't tell they are even tired! Our Alpine group of 8 teens and 7 adults are totally in charge of a VBS usually led by at least 20 teens and 10 adults! We should be so proud of this group and grant them MUCH grace if they ever mention being tired!!!

Sweet Kortnee and a new friend at VBS.

Kristen and Kortnee lovin' life in the Valley.

The group leading Father Abraham.

Sweet Sophie and a new friend from VBS.Morgan enjoying a new friend as well! I can only imagine watching Morgan, Matt, and Braylin offering their bodies as "trees" for all the little kids to climb up on!

The manly construction crew...looks like they are enjoying a bit of a breeze!

Preparing wall frames with the infamous Randy.

Matt and his new favorite tool...the nailgun!

I am excited to see the house our girls have been working on...they said they are painting it blue & brown!
Our team will complete their work projects and VBS this afternoon. Please continue to pray for our group and leave them encouraging comments on this blog! We are also prayign the weather will remain calm for their trip to Padre tomorrow!