August 11, 2003

Hello Long Beach Friends!

To those of you who went, welcome back from Quaker Meadow Camp. We have heard a few encouraging reports from Quaker Meadow camp, but we would love to know more specifics if any of you would like to share (hint, hint). I was praying for you and thinking of you as we were at Super Summer. I included some pictures of our Super Summer experience, but if you want, you can check out more of the action from the camp at www.justforyouth.com. Click on “week 6” and you’ll see some pics of Emily and me (and a lot of other people).

Super Summer gave Emily and me the opportunity to get to know the youth at the church much better. Shared experiences go a long way in developing relationships and the camp provided a good structure to work and play with the youth. We saw nine decisions for Christ (either salvation or rededication) throughout the course of the week and now we are in the process of implementing a plan to disciple those who are willing to take their lives in Christ seriously. One of the highlights of the week was the band—FreeState. They are a band out of Topeka that I think many of you would enjoy. They are one of the few bands I have encountered whose music, countenance, and performance truly led people in worship. Good stuff. You might be able to download their music off of the internet (we still have dial-up-slow-as-a-snail connection, so I haven’t even tried).

I start work next Monday, but the first day for students is the 25^th. Emily starts school on the 21^st. (Keep her in your prayers – she managed to get sick during camp and is now battling a sinus infection.) Emily and I will be heading to the outdoors again this weekend to go on a canoe trip with some of the families from our church. This will be a good time to spend with some of the parents of the youth who went to camp. Please pray that we will make inroads with parents and youth alike. Right now, we are considering whether or not to have an in-home discipleship group for the middle schoolers or the high schoolers. This is also a prayer concern of ours.

Speaking of prayer, this last week at camp was a reminder of the work that Satan is doing in our midst to keep people from realizing that the Kingdom of God is at hand—that God is working among us and longs to know us through a living relationship with Jesus. As sponsors (a.k.a. counselors), many of us felt the oppression over the camp and sensed the spiritual battle going on for the souls of our youth. Interestingly, the camp verses were Romans 8:37-39 – “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Together, we claimed God’s promises and went to Him in prayer, trusting in His power and strength. What ensued was a mighty work of God on Thursday night where we saw two things: 1) the light of Jesus exposing the darkness in souls; and 2) the cross of Jesus drawing souls to Himself. We want to encourage you to join with us in daily recognizing and joining in the battle that Paul describes in Ephesians 6 – “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”

Have a wonder-filled week in His presence and let us know how things are going in your lives.

Trusting in His promises,

Dave and Emily

Here are some fun pictures from our Super Summer camp experience!

Emily and Dave during “sponsor training” at camp!

Dave “monkeying around” on the high wire

Our team was the “Pickles” and we are shown here singing our team song

Mascot: “Squished Up Pickles with Shoes on His Feet” (and a cape on his back)

Does he look familiar? J

What sponsors will do for youth!

Pickle Dance

Who’s that beautiful woman on the far (far) left?!