So before Bev left our team last week, she had told me that I would take over the head coach position for the last week of camp. So right off the bat I tried to get in contact with the pastor who was the coordinator for the camp as well. I did not get a response for a looong time, so on saturday I texted Bev asking what I should do. She gave me the email of another pastor at the church and so I tried to get a hold of him. I didn't get a response until saturday at midnight, and we only got to email each other back and forth a few times on sunday. So already...not a very good start. They didn't let me know how many campers they had, how many volunteers, whether they got the coach's corner material. They only told me they wanted to meet at 6:30.
So on sunday night we finally get there, and they have a few volunteers from last year. We needed someone to replace Kim as Esther in our skit because she was gone, but they said they didn't even get the coach's corner material yet even though Katie said she emailed it to them last month. I asked if they had the u-talk forms, the little information forms that give us a background on the kids faith and their family. They had not printed those either. So there was a lot of stuff that needed to be done. On a brighter note, there were almost 40 kids this year which was much better than last year when they had like 12.
After going to the billets house, I had to start making teams and assigning roles for the week because Kim wasn't there. The week ran surprisingly well, considering nothing was really done. There was a lot more responsibility as head coach, I had to keep the whole day running while dealing with all the original stuff I had to do. Each day after camp I was more exhausted than the day before. I think it was a combination of trying to stay on top of all my new responsibilities, as well as it being the last week, as well as only having 2 other coaches to work with.
Somehow I made it through the week, somehow. It was probably one of the most tiring week of camp I've ever experienced. But it was good, and a great learning experience. A more experienced AIA coach once said after a summer, that being head coach made him a better servant. And that was definitely true for me as well, I realized that so many things needed to be done and there were so many things that I had to do and I didn't even realize it. I was glad I did it this week, after all, I'm supposed to be head coach the next time I coach. Says my boss anyway haha.
Saturday, 24 August 2013
Week 7 Terwiliger
This was a camp I went to last summer and I was pretty excited to be heading back. I missed volunteer orientation because of a wedding, so I didn't get to see who was volunteering until that morning. I knew that it was still the same pastor from last summer who was organizing it though, so I knew that the camp was going to be well setup and organized. On the first day of camp I recognized a few volunteers from last year, and even new volunteers who were campers last year, so that was really cool. Although the camp was slightly smaller this year compared to last year, lots of the same kids from last year came back. I was pleasantly surprised to have so many campers from last summer come up to me and say hi. One little boy told me all summer he was hoping more than anything that I would be at this camp!
The week ran really really well, the church had an amazing setup with tents, snacks, bathrooms, and even in getting volunteers. We also had a volunteer who had helped out for the past 4 soccer camps in terwiliger and told me that he wanted to be a coach next year. So my team and I had a lot of fun "training" him which involves making him doing everything. Just kidding not really haha. I think there were a lot of times when he felt uncomfortable doing something and he asked "really? I have to do this?" But in the end he would do it, and I think he learned a lot and got some good experience out of it. I think that if you ever want to be better at anything, and that includes being a better servant for God, you need to be challenged. I think back to my volunteering experiences at my own church and how I was challenged. If I was never challenged by the coaches to lead a devotion, to run a station, to lead a small group, I never would have had those opportunities to grow. During those times I was asked to do those things, I definitely felt nervous and uncomfortable. But if I was never challenged as a volunteer, I don't think I would be working with AIA right now.
It was an interesting week in regards to where we went after camp ended. The pastor had arranged for us to have supper at different people's houses every night. We would go to some of the camper's houses, some of the volunteers or people from the church. It was really cool to have supper in some of the homes that God was working in through the soccer camp.
It was a pretty emotional end of the week after camp ended. It was Kim's last week of camp with us, she had to go to school early to get settled in. Our whole team was very grateful for what she had brought to the team and we would definitely miss her for the last week of camp! Also saying goodbye to the kids was pretty sad, I connected really well with almost all the kids at camp that week. I dont remember being that close with the kids last summer at this camp! But I definitely will miss them.
The week ran really really well, the church had an amazing setup with tents, snacks, bathrooms, and even in getting volunteers. We also had a volunteer who had helped out for the past 4 soccer camps in terwiliger and told me that he wanted to be a coach next year. So my team and I had a lot of fun "training" him which involves making him doing everything. Just kidding not really haha. I think there were a lot of times when he felt uncomfortable doing something and he asked "really? I have to do this?" But in the end he would do it, and I think he learned a lot and got some good experience out of it. I think that if you ever want to be better at anything, and that includes being a better servant for God, you need to be challenged. I think back to my volunteering experiences at my own church and how I was challenged. If I was never challenged by the coaches to lead a devotion, to run a station, to lead a small group, I never would have had those opportunities to grow. During those times I was asked to do those things, I definitely felt nervous and uncomfortable. But if I was never challenged as a volunteer, I don't think I would be working with AIA right now.
It was an interesting week in regards to where we went after camp ended. The pastor had arranged for us to have supper at different people's houses every night. We would go to some of the camper's houses, some of the volunteers or people from the church. It was really cool to have supper in some of the homes that God was working in through the soccer camp.
It was a pretty emotional end of the week after camp ended. It was Kim's last week of camp with us, she had to go to school early to get settled in. Our whole team was very grateful for what she had brought to the team and we would definitely miss her for the last week of camp! Also saying goodbye to the kids was pretty sad, I connected really well with almost all the kids at camp that week. I dont remember being that close with the kids last summer at this camp! But I definitely will miss them.
Week 6 Calgary
Going into this week, my team and I knew it was going to be a small camp. Although the church we were partnering with had around 900 people in their congregation, they had less than 30 kids registered. Not only that but no one in that 900 congregation was willing to billet to my team so we all stayed at Katie's place which was pretty far from the field. Upon arriving, we knew that this camp was going to be a bit of work even with so little kids. The church hadn't really put much work into the camp, and didn't have very many things prepared, in fact the coordinator was on vacation and not even at camp.
We only had a few volunteers but they were really good for the most part. The camp ran really well too, the challenge I usually find with smaller camps is there's a lack of energy. Kids feed off each others energy, so when there are a lot of kids, camps are usually more exciting. Having said that, this camp was pretty good, the kids really got into the stuff we were doing. Small groups went great too, it was nice having some volunteers that week that actually participated in the small groups. We had a few kids in the group that decided they want to be on God's team and thats always really exciting. Overall the week went great, I think the volunteers were really happy with how the camp went and they wanted to do it again, hopefully they'll have another camp in the future with more kids.
We only had a few volunteers but they were really good for the most part. The camp ran really well too, the challenge I usually find with smaller camps is there's a lack of energy. Kids feed off each others energy, so when there are a lot of kids, camps are usually more exciting. Having said that, this camp was pretty good, the kids really got into the stuff we were doing. Small groups went great too, it was nice having some volunteers that week that actually participated in the small groups. We had a few kids in the group that decided they want to be on God's team and thats always really exciting. Overall the week went great, I think the volunteers were really happy with how the camp went and they wanted to do it again, hopefully they'll have another camp in the future with more kids.
Monday, 5 August 2013
Week 5 Camrose
Camrose was my favorite camp last summer so I was very excited to be a part of it again this year too. However, the coordinator from last year was unable to organize it due to a family emergency, so it was actually a different church doing it this year. We still had the same group of kids mostly and used the same field and everything but we had a completely new group of volunteers. We had a few volunteers who were from edmonton and came over to volunteer.
That night when we were making small groups, my head coach told me that my boss wanted Erik and Anders in my small group. I was in complete shock because I didn't even know these 2 boys were going to be at camp. A few blog posts ago ("God is faithful") I mentioned how Anders and his brother Erik were not going to be able to attend soccer camp because they are from Sweden. They usually only come to Camrose in the summer, and they stay in Sweden for the rest of the year. Unfortunately, Phyllis' husband was in a horrific lawnmower accident a few weeks ago, the lawnmower exploded leaving 70% of his body burned. He is still currently in critical condition, and awaiting skin grafts and surgery. Because of this accident, Anders and his family came back to Camrose to visit their grandfather, which also allowed them to attend this camp.
I mean if God was ever going to speak to me, this was it wasn't it? It was the perfect opportunity to reconnect with Anders and Erik. I knew that God had planned this, and he was going to use me in a special way that week to influence these 2 kids.
The whole week went by great, I saw a lot of the same kids from last year and they remembered me as well! The kids there were also the most well-behaved usually and most skilled so the camp ran smoothly. I found that my small groups went great too. I prayed all week that the holy spirit fill me up with what to say in my small groups and God did indeed provide me with the words. At times I went on and on and the right words and ideas just came out of my mouth, and the kids listened intently. I would ask discussion questions which made them think about what they really believe in. On day 3 I asked them all to close their eyes and I asked them to raise their hand if they are on God's team. Everyone raised up their hands but Erik. Then I asked who would like to join God's team for the first time, Anders and Erik both put up their hand. Then I prayed for the whole group, I asked those who decided to be on God's team today to come find me at lunch. Hardly any kid ever comes up to find me at lunch but, I like to say that so it gives them time to think about their choice. I tell them it's the most important decision that they will ever make in their life, and if you choose to be on God's team, you have to be committed for life. But yea, no one came up to me at lunch on wednesday or thursday, so I felt like I was sort of letting the opportunity slip away. So on the last day after small groups, I sent everyone off to lunch except Anders and Erik. I asked them where they stood, because they raised their hands on wednesday but never came to find me. I said I understood it was a hard decision for them, because they weren't from a Christian home and the idea of God was not well accepted at home either. Both Anders and Erik told me they were sitting on the fence, "half in and half out" they had said. Erik told me that it was really getting at him, but he was conflicted. So I told them that I really did want to see them on God's team but ultimately it was their decision because I can't force them to believe anything. I said if you feel ready to be on God's team now, I can pray with you here right now, if not thats ok too. In the end both of them felt like they weren't quite ready yet, but I told them if they were ever ready, all they have to do is ask God, and they also have their grandmother Phyllis and auntie Bev to talk to about it.
So yea I didn't get to see these 2 boys accept Christ this week but it was still encouraging. I think both of them took a huge step in their spiritual journey. They both acknowledge that there's a God that loves them very much and that Jesus had to die for us because we were sinful. But I don't think they were ready to make a commitment yet, so that's something I'm going to continue to pray for.
Camp at Camrose this year was another blast, it was definitely great seeing all the kids from last year, it made it such a special camp for me. Although the kids I was focused on didn't end up making a decision, many other kids in camp decided to accept Jesus last week. It was also encouraging to hear that the kids that made a decision were going to be followed up on. A lot of the volunteers knew parents of the kids and so on. Perks of a small town I guess, everybody knows everybody, so that definitely helps with outreach and staying connected with the community. Great week with great kids, I sincerely hope that God has it in his plan for me to interact with some of them again.
That night when we were making small groups, my head coach told me that my boss wanted Erik and Anders in my small group. I was in complete shock because I didn't even know these 2 boys were going to be at camp. A few blog posts ago ("God is faithful") I mentioned how Anders and his brother Erik were not going to be able to attend soccer camp because they are from Sweden. They usually only come to Camrose in the summer, and they stay in Sweden for the rest of the year. Unfortunately, Phyllis' husband was in a horrific lawnmower accident a few weeks ago, the lawnmower exploded leaving 70% of his body burned. He is still currently in critical condition, and awaiting skin grafts and surgery. Because of this accident, Anders and his family came back to Camrose to visit their grandfather, which also allowed them to attend this camp.
I mean if God was ever going to speak to me, this was it wasn't it? It was the perfect opportunity to reconnect with Anders and Erik. I knew that God had planned this, and he was going to use me in a special way that week to influence these 2 kids.
The whole week went by great, I saw a lot of the same kids from last year and they remembered me as well! The kids there were also the most well-behaved usually and most skilled so the camp ran smoothly. I found that my small groups went great too. I prayed all week that the holy spirit fill me up with what to say in my small groups and God did indeed provide me with the words. At times I went on and on and the right words and ideas just came out of my mouth, and the kids listened intently. I would ask discussion questions which made them think about what they really believe in. On day 3 I asked them all to close their eyes and I asked them to raise their hand if they are on God's team. Everyone raised up their hands but Erik. Then I asked who would like to join God's team for the first time, Anders and Erik both put up their hand. Then I prayed for the whole group, I asked those who decided to be on God's team today to come find me at lunch. Hardly any kid ever comes up to find me at lunch but, I like to say that so it gives them time to think about their choice. I tell them it's the most important decision that they will ever make in their life, and if you choose to be on God's team, you have to be committed for life. But yea, no one came up to me at lunch on wednesday or thursday, so I felt like I was sort of letting the opportunity slip away. So on the last day after small groups, I sent everyone off to lunch except Anders and Erik. I asked them where they stood, because they raised their hands on wednesday but never came to find me. I said I understood it was a hard decision for them, because they weren't from a Christian home and the idea of God was not well accepted at home either. Both Anders and Erik told me they were sitting on the fence, "half in and half out" they had said. Erik told me that it was really getting at him, but he was conflicted. So I told them that I really did want to see them on God's team but ultimately it was their decision because I can't force them to believe anything. I said if you feel ready to be on God's team now, I can pray with you here right now, if not thats ok too. In the end both of them felt like they weren't quite ready yet, but I told them if they were ever ready, all they have to do is ask God, and they also have their grandmother Phyllis and auntie Bev to talk to about it.
So yea I didn't get to see these 2 boys accept Christ this week but it was still encouraging. I think both of them took a huge step in their spiritual journey. They both acknowledge that there's a God that loves them very much and that Jesus had to die for us because we were sinful. But I don't think they were ready to make a commitment yet, so that's something I'm going to continue to pray for.
Camp at Camrose this year was another blast, it was definitely great seeing all the kids from last year, it made it such a special camp for me. Although the kids I was focused on didn't end up making a decision, many other kids in camp decided to accept Jesus last week. It was also encouraging to hear that the kids that made a decision were going to be followed up on. A lot of the volunteers knew parents of the kids and so on. Perks of a small town I guess, everybody knows everybody, so that definitely helps with outreach and staying connected with the community. Great week with great kids, I sincerely hope that God has it in his plan for me to interact with some of them again.
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