The Prayer Room and Other Stories

Well, camp ended a few weeks ago but it's taken me some time to gather my thoughts on the week. I was extremely ill the week after camp and it took a while to recover. I had a great but stressful week. I thought I was only getting four campers in my group but arrived to find that I had eight. However, to balance out this little surprise I also found that I was in a leaders dorm with my best friend Emma and my trainee Sarah - what a blessing! God is good. Lynn and I went through two days early to begin working on the prayer room. The plan was to get the four gazebos up to begin with and then start all the walls and decorations. However, it took us over two hours to get two gazebos up and we were both almost in tears after the third one simply refused to fit together. We went home closer to midnight than we had intended feeling somewhat defeated. Many a desperate prayer was uttered before we headed up to try again the next night. God gave Lynn a brainwave for measuring the gazebo poles and lo and behold - the last two were up in a matter of minutes! We were so relieved. Several hours and lots of material later the room was up and ready. I have to say it looked fab and I was so excited to see what God was going to do there. If you want to know more about what was in the prayer room just let me know and I'll explain it!





Over the week the kids went in to the prayer room alone or with friends and spend time exploring, looking, watching, thinking, reflecting, praying, creating, wailing, crying, learning and praying. Each day there were new things up on the walls - all honest outpouring of what was going on in their heads, hearts and lives. A couple of days I went in to spend some time with God and it was so fulfilling. With all the worship to organise I got a bit stressed out and it was so good to have a little corner of quiet where I could rest with God and seek His council. The room had that feeling that one cannot readily describe but the room felt covered in prayer and filled with the spirit. It was a place for healing, for listening, for learning. Several times I was brought to tears just looking at the evidence of prayer and praise that had been happening throughout the week. All our effort was truly worth it and more.





Apart from the prayer room many good times were had at camp. The campers were responsive to the worship and praise party on the Friday night just blew my mind. Leading the whole thing was truly exhausting and I had to keep it together and hold in a lot of emotion. I could see lives changing, God working and the spirit moving. The kids worshipped with true abandon and the commitments made were a testimony of God's grace and love sweeping through their lives. These times always serve to remind me of what a privilege it is to be involved in the work of SU because I get a glimpse of God at work and am reminded every time of the way in which Christ loves us. It was hard work - but oh so worth it. I want to say a huge thankyou to all those on the team who made it such a special week for me. You know who you are. =)

Frenzy 08

This year has been a good year so far. I've been to lots of exciting places and events. On Saturday I attended Frenzy for the first time with some friends from church. I decided to go this year since David Crowder*Band were playing and they've been a favourite of mine for a few years. I didn't know what to expect but I can tell you that the whole day was brilliant!

We arrived early - about 10:40am - and didn't have to wait in much of a que to get our wristbands and programmes. The sun was shining and straight away I began meeting people I know from various different places. I love these big Christian events because you're guaranteed to meet at least ten other people you already know. At a rough count I think I met at least 20.

We spent most of the early afternoon outside having some food and wandering for the initial sets. After the first band came on there were some general promo videos which I didn't take much interest in until lo and behold the SU promotional video was played! There I was on the big screen at Frenzy. Bit of a shock but pretty cool.

Most of the bands I had never heard of and didn't take a particular interest in until Leeland came on. A fabulous band. These guys were just so humble and Earnest - there was no attitude from these guys. I really loved their music but the moment that won it for me was when they sang "Come Lord - Come to Scotland." I think that right there and then they won the patriotic hearts of every Scottish person in the hall.

DC*B wasn't on till later but I went in early to make sure I got a good view. Did I get a good view or what - right up at the barricades in front of the stage - nobody in front of me and 7000 people behind me. It doesn't get better than that! All the gigs I've been to I've been in the middle or at the back without a great view but this made up for them all. The crowd was clearly anticipating their arrival and got really hyped up a good 15 minutes before they appeared. When they finally did the place erupted. They did a great set and got everyone really excited and it was clear that they were enjoying themselves too. I just loved it.

Following DC*B was Chris Tomlin. I kept my spot at the front for that and I wasn't disappointed. Again there was a real humility from him and the band as they played. They did most of my favourites and somehow even the songs I'm usually sick of seemed so much better - fresher even. At one point the audience overtook the band with chanting and the band just stood back and watched. There's no crowd like a Scottish crowd!

Words can't really describe how immense the day was but it was just amazing and definitely a memory to treasure. I can say I've been there, done that and I even got the tshirt.

Happy Campers

I am now back from what was a completely exhausting but thoroughly enjoyable week away at Lendrick Muir. As always, God moved in unexpected, undeniable ways and I had a fabulous time. The team as a whole got on so well - no personality clashes or internal issues. The kids were mostly well behaved and responsive during the worship. I love it. LM is like my spiritual home (however un-PC that might be, I can't really explain it.) It's the place where I've been challenged, I've learned, I've grown and where I've been loved and supported by those who, over the years, have become close friends and family to me. Countless lives have been changed by God in there and those who go are eternally grateful for the goodness of God in providing such a place for his ministry.

So what have I learned this week? Not to judge kids before I know them. Sounds obvious but I realised that very quickly I took a dislike to a couple of the younger boys who I found arrogant and irritating. However, after actually spending some quality time playing pool or on the ropes course with them I discovered that they were little gems and was ashamed of my snap judgements the previous day. I also learned that these weeks are not all about 'converting' the campers and making sure they leave as Christians. These weeks are about giving the kids the best week of their lives through loving them, caring for them, getting to know them, sharing experiences with them and sharing a little about Jesus with them too. Some kids are not ready to hear about God or make any kind of life-changing decisions. All we can do is sow the seeds and let God take care of the harvest. I also lead the worship which I'm not used to doing and found it a bit scary but God by His grace used His strength in my weakness and we saw some great responses to the work of the Spirit during the worship sessions. All in all I had a fabulous week with lots of great people and I feel all the more blessed for being there. A special thanks to SU for the incredible work they do. Thanks be to God for his providence and care.