Camp TaPaWinGo, 4th day of camp

There is no greater value than teaching children to love and serve the Lord. 

It is such a priveledge to plant His word into the hearts of our next generation.


  To give to children is to give to Him

Matthew 10:42

Children are the most valuable fruit in the kingdom
 ~Psalm 128

Camp Ta-Pa-Win-Go, 3rd day of camp

Only one way to say it...Slip N Slide!

Planting God's seed one smile at a time!

 

Camp Ta-Pa-Win-Go, 2nd day of camp

We have a large team this year...

There was one point in which we wondered if everyone was needed on the team.  We really prayed about whether or not we were called to go to camp this year.  However, we kept feeling lead to be part of this family mission trip.

Today, it became obvious why God called each and every extra hand on this trip! 

The camp needed Faith Lodge completed by next week to be occupied by campers- and God gave us the extra hands to help!

Sub flooring,

construction of bunk beds,

& installation of hardwood, etc.

 Thank you Lord for the willing hearts,

the flexibility, and the pure attitude of servitude of this team! 

"..being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6)

Camp Ta-Pa-Win-Go, First day of campers!!

Let the registration begin!

We prayed for God to send a large number of children, and He did just that!

We had over 80 campers today. 

This number is up from last year at the beginning of camp by 20 campers! 

By the end of the week, our total was up to 166!!

Everything seemed to flow seamlessly...

From the games

  to the pool

to arts and crafts

Even though we had more campers than expected,

everyone worked together well in helping through each step of the day. 

The extra help was much appreciated especially at lunch-

Before...

During..

 

When we prayed for unity among our team, the Lord poured out His blessing.

I pray for our camp team, leaders, and counselors to have perserverance throughout the week, to touch the lives of these campers with Your Truth, may their lives be forever changed by your word Lord!

Camp Ta-Pa-Win-Go, last day before camp!

Sunday, June 5th-
Today began for some of us waking up after experiencing the first restless night in a bunk bed, adjusting to the sounds of nature- are those squirrels running outside or is it a mouse in my cabin?
For others of our team, today meant being exhausted from the drive in from a great distance.
Regardless of our night, we all came together to attend church of a fellow friend and worship pastor.
It was then we were delivered this following passage:

Psalm 63~
O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you.
My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you
in this parched and weary land where there is no water.
I have seen you in your sanctuary and gazed upon your power and glory.
Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you!
I will praise you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer.
You satisfy me more than the richest feast.
I will praise you with songs of joy.

Lord, allow our hearts and minds not to be overwhelmed as we go through our last prepration day before camp, allow us to put away all distractions, renew our strength, prepare not only ours but the hearts and minds of the children coming to camp.

Camp Ta-Pa-Win-Go, arrival day

Back ground Info: Our church supports many diverse missionaries across the globe. One of our local missionaries is a camp in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains of East Tennessee called Camp Ta-Pa-Win-Go. This camp exists to share the love of Jesus Christ. A group from our church goes up to this camp each year to run the day camp and share the gospel with these precious children. Last year over 100 campers attended and we are praying that our number increases even more this year. 

Family Mission Trip Day 1~
The day started with the hustle and bustle of trying to get everything together, pack the car, and think of any last minute details.  I must have checked the car a dozen times and I am still wondering if I have everything?!
Then we are off...
For some of us, the familiarity of camp comes to mind, the comfort of knowing where to go and what to expect.  Then the barrage of questions begin from the backseat, 'will we have the same cabin?' 'can we swim?' 'can I do the zip line this year?'
For other members of our team, there is a bit of uncertainty, the unknown and anxiety of what to expect.

I pray the Lord will quiet our hearts and minds to achieve His purpose, to unite us together for His glory.  I pray for each and every child attending camp to have open eyes to see, open ears to hear, and receptive hearts to receive Jesus as their personal Savior.

For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.  ~Philippians 2:13 

 We have been blessed with a day filled with excitement for what the Lord has done for this camp, providing an impressive Boy's cabin just this year. 

Our team came together for our first song and skit practice on stage

 and even enjoyed some relaxing time in the pool before calling it a day!

I cant wait to see what tomorrow holds!