We strategically don't plan any spiritual sessions, as we want the congregation to build stronger family bonds, get to know one another and have fun (of course!).
And it is just what we did!
(Just to explain, when one organise a camp with spiritual sessions, people tend to focus inwards, and since our goal is not to be focused inward, but to really get to know one another, it will defeat the purpose we are there. We still gave everyone the freedom to minister if they feel the need to).
It was such a privilege to work with our "partners in crime" - the other two families whose responsibility it is to organise the camp. For both Jurie and I it was a whole new, different experience (even if we had previous camp experience).
Riaan mentioned the other day about doing what we do in excellence, well people, these two families taught me a thing about excellence!
We started camp with some icebreakers and Potjie! (I think it is a number 10 pot?? It's the biggest one I've seen in my life!) Saturday we had some fun and games with a GPS treasure hunt and raft building. You could easily spot the "competitive" ones amongst us! But it was worth while. Francois is a keen Geo-cacher (please google it, it is amazing!) where you hide things in obscure places all around the world (apparently the games started as a test, to see whether GPS is really so accurate). And he hid the clues in logs, in a stone (with a hole in), in a tap....Truly remarkable! (the clues are hidden in small containers like pill holders).
The raft building was just as much fun. I have to say, it's a whole other story when children build it! It went by so quickly (and we tried to make it difficult...)
On Sunday we had informal church. we broke up into smaller groups and shared communion with each other. It was special for me to see how families use it together! (the group we were had a little boy in. And as we are drinking the grape juice, explaining it is Jesus' blood, he asks, "Why does Jesus have purple blood?" It was a precious moment!)
And we ended camp with a baptism. It's always such a big celebration for me personally, so I have to admit I was crying like a baby! We are doing a "marriage course" with this couple, and the change in Shaun's life after the baptism is amazing. We serve a God that is so intricately involved with EVERYONE. When you truly follow God, you can't stay the same, you HAVE to change. And by the change I see: They are definitely serving God !!
All in all, it was great to meet the bigger family, to socialise together and to know we all love God to bits. Can't wait for next year!
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