Preparations

Today the LCM group and I are preparing for campers to come to this weekend's program. We're doing some final winterizing on a few places around camp, painting some bathrooms, and fine tuning the messages that we're going to be giving and the games that we'll be playing for the weekend. Although we planned very well thought out program for the weekend, we know that we have to be "dynamic" in our approach, knowing that things can and probably will be changed.
There are a few factors that we're thinking might require us to be "dynamic," and we would be blessed if you would join us in prayer for these things. First of all, we've only got 9 campers signed up for this weekend's program. Although we're not far off in numbers from where we were at this time last week, we're praying that we have a larger number of kids so that we could minister to that many more. Last weekend we had 35, so we're hoping to have something comparable for this weekend's program.
Another factor that we're considering is the temperature. Currently, here in Hilbre it's close to -2 degrees Fahrenheit and this weekend, the high is expected to be around -4 with a low of -20. So, if these weather predictions stay the way they do, our games and activities will have to be tweaked to minimize the amount of time campers and staff are outside.
Finally, we would covet your prayers for our health. We've had several of us who have struggled with not feeling well both physically and emotionally. Although almost all of those people are on the upturn of those struggles, please pray for them. There's some potential for us to need to rearrange staffing schedules if health problems arise or get worse.
Apart from laboring to get the camp and program prepared for the weekend, the group and I have decided to spend part of our labor in prayer and reading God's word. We spent time in prayer today walking from each building we have here at camp. We recognize that He is in control of this weekend and it is our desire to serve Him in the ways that he calls us to do so. We know that God has gifted us in certain and specific ways, and we're blessed to be used in those ways. We're also humbled knowing that although we have many flaws and weaknesses, God still uses us in spite of that weakness so that we can be a blessing to Him and to other people.
We've spent a significant amount of time preparing things for our weekend programs and facilitating what goes on during the weekend. But each day, we've spent time making sure that our faith is the foundation of what we're doing here.

Luke 10:38-42
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"

"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

Although we're concerned with preparations that need to be made and with what our programs will look like, we first and foremost are concerning ourselves with sitting at the Lord's feet.

Andy for the LCM team