Sparkford One 2009

So this is what I have just had the amazing priviledge of going to help with:

http://www.cpas.org.uk/ventures/search/venture_detail.php?id=88

It was a ten-day long camp for 14-18 year olds, mainly from a church background I think, to both have fun, and learn about Jesus and the Gospel.

Several people from my church in Preston help out regularly on this camp each year, and I was really pleased this year, to have the time available to go as part of the 'Taskforce' that facilitate the camp in part, by helping with all of the practicalities of washing up, toilet cleaning, setting tables and serving food.

Taskforce is kind of an in-between stage, between the members and the leaders, there was time for us to chill out and have fun and get to know each other, and lots of time was invested in us with our own leaders, Bible studies and one-to-ones. But at the same time, we were treated more like the adults (that I suppose we are now :S), and had various extra leadery type things to do like hosting the dorm (it's a knockout style) tournament, and the last battle, last day wide game.

What will stand out to me the most from this camp I think, are the studies we did in Philippians. This little book, is SO amazingly full of just, brilliant brilliant truth. I've really started to love it, afte studying it in team times last summer n Moldova, and this year at Student Focus, it's just amazing how you can read it over and over and learn more and new things each time. :)

It was great to be reminded of how we can't earn our way to God, even as a Christian it's really easy I think to be tempted into thinking we can make God "extra" pleased with us by living more for Him in some way, or that we can distance ourselves from Him, when we fail in some way, and fall back into sin. It's so great to know that He already loves us perfectly, and has forgiven all the sin we ever have, and ever will commit. And that the only way we will ever become more holy, is through His spirit working in us, and praying for Him to change our hearts. Nothing we can do... it's all down to Him. :)

So many amazing verses... read it all lol... but kind of... summary verse I thought:

"But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body." 3:20-21


It was just so encouraging... being honest... I find it easy to slip away abit at home, because you just slip back into old routines, and life feels "safe" at home, with Christian parents taking you to church etc etc. I thank God that he knows me better than I know myself.. and so I am really feeling refreshed and envigorated now... looking forward to InterAction Orientation in.. about 2 1/2 weeks :D

I'll stick a photo up of camp when one appears on facebook! :)