Speaking at Covenant Pines
It was such a blessing to re-connect with the place where I grew up and the ministry that had such an impact on my life while being the July Family Camp speaker. Each summer Covenant Pines holds two family camps where families from various churches are invited to get away from daily life and be restored through play, enjoying the beautiful nature and time for worship and reflection on God’s word. It was beautiful to see families connect with each other and the many smiles as they played and joined in the lively worship together. Many people shared the experience of feeling a spirit of hospitality and welcome as they shared and spent time together. For me this was a sign of God’s work among us, welcoming, healing and restoring our souls as we continue in our walk with Christ.
In our opening session we reflected on God’s faithfulness in our lives and made an “Alter of Remembrance” as a visible reminder through the week that God is with us now, and will be with us in all things. Each family received a piece of wood and wrote their remembrance. At the end they were connected together into one expression of wonder and gratitude at God’s faithfulness in our lives.
The following week July 8-13, I participated in the Trailblazers youth camp working alongside the program leaders to share with youth about God’s work in other places in the world and inviting conversation and reflection on how they can participate in God’s work in the school, family and community.
When I was growing up at the camp I remember the many missionaries that spent time at camp sharing about the people and the cultures where they lived and served. I still remember some of the songs we learned in various languages. It was a special experience to now be a visiting global personnel and having the opportunity to interact with staff and youth.
Teaming up with Jared on program staff to share with campers about God’s invitation for us to be peacemakers and sharing about Serve Globally’s peacemaking work in Israel/Palestine, South Sudan and Columbia.
During one of our sessions I taught the campers a Swedish praise song and one of cabin groups really practiced it and wanted to sing it for me and our friends in Sweden. If you don’t know Swedish they are singing, “Praise the Lord together singing, Hallelujah..” Didn’t they sing beautifully!
Sunset at Covenant Pines always moves my soul!