The Breaking Point

A summer full of camps is exhausting. I can't lie. Seven weeks in and I'm looking ahead to the end when I won't have 30-60 kids hanging off me Mon-Fri!

A wise mentor within AIA told me that the S.P.E.C.I.A.L. (described here) was like a sprint while summer camps was a marathon. I have learned this to be absolutely true! And God has been teaching me some similar lessons throughout.

"Throughout the week, I had really been learning that God didn't want me to perform for anyone other than Him."

At National Training Camp and through the S.P.E.C.I.A.L., God had taught me not to get caught up in performing for the approval of other people. That was enormously freeing in my life and I've had to work on applying this to life at home and my sport. However, this past week God revealed to me another issue with the above quote.

I do not have to perform for God either! 

I have been struggling with expectations I have on myself to please God. When I don't fulfil those expectations, I feel like I've let God down and don't feel worthy of his love and compassion. With this attitude, I fall into a downward spiral of negativity about what I can't accomplish and then don't even bother trying (for example - missing a day of devotions or not listening to the Spirit's guiding). A co-worker pointed out to me how silly this was by saying something along the lines of "We're already sinful and unworthy of his love.What more can we do to mess it up?" From the moment sin entered this world, we were unable to save ourselves by "performing well!"

The passage Romans 5:20-21 came to mind:

"The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

If you've been to NTC, you will have heard of the expression "Nail it." When we make mistakes (whether it be on the field or in life), we can nail it to the cross knowing that Christ died so that we may live without the sin that so easily entangles. We must throw it off and run with perseverance the race marked out for us (Hebrews 12:1). For me this means finishing this summer strong and letting go of the mistakes I've made so far.

You might say that this week was the "breaking point" of my summer when I again recognized that I can't do it on my own - a repeat of NTC, but with a new focus. This time, the shift was from a mindset of doing everything "for God" to the much more comforting idea of doing everything "with God." I need to invite him into every moment of every day and allow his Spirit to guide my actions instead of deciding myself how to best impress God.

God has been answering my prayer for resilience with this revelation. Pray that I continue to do everything with God and remember to "nail it" when I don't!

Thank you for your continued prayer and support.

Summer Camps Quarterly 2.0 & 3.0

In the 2nd and 3rd quarter of our summer there have been many challenges but also many rewards! It's been incredible to see kids learning new things about God and having opportunities to share with each other.
Here's a smattering of pictures from the past four weeks!

Week 3 - Dorion Evangelical Church

Festival after camp on Friday!

Week 4 - Seeds of Hope

Fantastic Staff!

Korean BBQ after AIA Toronto meeting

Week 5 - Immanuel CRC

Team outing at Albion Falls

 Week 6 - Redeemer

On a hike! 

Dundas Peak for a sunset

Drive-in movie

Summer Camps Quarterly

Two weeks down, six to go! After two weeks on the road, I am home for 40 hours before heading out to our next camp. Our first two camps were quite different than normal AIA camps so there were a lot of challenges alongside the excitement:

Week Number One: Camp Aush-Bik-Koong (ABK)

Summer camps in Ontario have had an long-standing relationship with this OVERNIGHT summer camp northwest of Sudbury; we have held our training there, and in return, one of our teams stays to teach soccer as part of their week of sports camp. Though we had our training elsewhere this year, my team still got to make the trip to Sugar Lake to this outstanding camp! We got to experience being camp counsellors leading the campers through daily activities, competitors in the annual soccer and volleyball games (with a new tradition of a basketball game!), and friends to the staff and kids on top of our usual job of being coaches who teach soccer! The ABK campers were older (11-17) than our usual camp ages (6-12) so we had a neat opportunity to share in a different way and get on a more personal level with them.

Check out this video from the week and see if you can spot me and my coworkers! (We taught the soccer players everything they know...)

Me and my 'MURICAN co-counsellor (note her 4th of July cape)

Dressed to the nines for the Banquet!

Week Number Two: Willowtree

A new relationship for AIA camps has begun with an existing Christian day camp in Toronto called Sonshine Camps. They have several sites in the GTA that hold inexpensive day camps throughout the summer in low-income neighbourhoods. We are partnering with the "Willowtree" site near Finch and Yonge for two weeks this summer. Our first week there was an eye-opener! With a group of rambunctious but awesome kids, we spent the week playing sports and games (lots of cops and robbers and man hunt!), learning about God's promises, and loving one another. Because Sonshine camps are an existing program, we helped out how we were able with time during some of the days for us to run some sports games. This actually freed the AIA staff to build better relationships with the kids because we weren't in charge of the schedule for most of the week. It was definitely different, but a great start to a new relationship with these camps! It will be really neat to see the kids' response to the returning AIAers later in the summer. We even got to go on a field trip with them on Friday to Kidstown - a splash pad/water park with a sweet BUCKET!

Kidstown. The water is freezing.

Lesson of the weeks: RESILIENCE - "the power or ability to return to the original form, position, etc., after being bent, compressed, or stretched."

Throughout the past two weeks I felt "bent out of shape" about things that didn't go the way I expected, "compressed" by what I could and could not contribute, and "stretched" in what I could handle. Looking back, I can't say that I held firm to my original "form" as well as I would have liked, but it's been an ongoing challenge for me to learn how to roll with the tides and hold fast to God's promise that HE is in control and has good plans for me throughout everything - even when things aren't looking ideal. 

So, moving forward into the summer, that will be a prayer request of mine - that I can learn to be resilient and rely on God at all times! Please pray with me and for me as we head to Quebec tomorrow to do our first AIA-run camp (instead of participating in a camp that runs summer-long). Pray also that the weeks of camps at Redeemer fill up so that they can actually take place! (July 28-Aug 15. See redeemerroyals.ca/AIA )

The team

After a short trip out to Alberta for Head Coach training, Craig and I went immediately to train with the rest of our team at Redeemer! It was a lot of fun, but we also learned lots about what God has for us this summer. Meet the team:

The Multi-Sport Camp Crew! Team Coca-Cola...?
(left to right: Alex, Aaron, Corey, Angela)

All the Ontario Summer Staff. What a crew!
(Left to right: Craig, Jocelyn, Alex, Aaron, Jonathan, Corey. In front: Angela, Madison)

Champions of Faith – Summer Theme (Hebrews 11-12, esp. 12:1-3)

What does it mean to be a champion of faith? When you think of a champion, do you think of someone who has accomplished a unique feat? Won an important event? Or vanquished a rival? In each of these, we find an obvious victory. But are champions of faith the same? Does a champion of faith have everything turn out well for them in the end? The Bible screams out to us that the answer is most often no! Not surprisingly since “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,' declares the Lord" (Isaiah 55:8).

Read through chapter 11 of Hebrews and you find not only the victorious champions like Noah, Abraham and Sarah, Joseph, and even Rahab the prostitute, but you find champions that were “tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two: they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated... They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground... These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.” Think of Abel, murdered for his ability to give God the best he had to offer, of Job who never wavered in his trust in the Lord but endured so much suffering and pain, and Paul, who gave up his entire livelihood to sit in a jail cell for the gospel. Think also of Elijah, Daniel, Peter, and so many others who were persecuted for their faith and never necessarily received an earthly “victory.” Yet these are the witnesses that we read about in Hebrews 12:1 alongside those like David and Samuel who had incredible victory in their time on earth. What is different about God’s kingdom that he would call even these “failures” CHAMPIONS?

The difference is everything. It is the foundation of our faith and it’s found in the very same passage. “...God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect” GOD has complete and utmost control. And he promises that his plan is BETTER for US. Only TOGETHER – by the collective stories of our faith – will the true victory, the PERFECT victory be realized.

Have you ever had your mind blown by the resolution of a complicated movie/book/drama when all the pieces fall into place and you recognize the brilliance of the plot, and you just think, “How did the author COME UP WITH THAT?” Now multiply that recognition by 50 000 (or infinity...) and you will feel the awe you will meet when you experience our Heavenly Father on the final day and realize how he has used your life in this complicated thing we called salvation/redemption. When things don’t go as planned, or even when they do – remember that GOD HAS GOT THIS. He has planned it – and though it may suck in the moment, it is happening for a reason and the result will ultimately be VICTORY if you live by faith in his Son. And what does God tell us faith is? “Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” Be a champion - confident about your salvation, assured that Christ has died to take care of your sins.

There is one thing about champions of faith that is the same about “worldly champions” though. As unfortunate as it is, we won’t all be champions. This is not to say that we CAN’T all be champions, but humanity’s relationship with the Father dictates that each and every one of us have the choice – and human nature dictates that many of us will turn down the offer. God HAD to give us the choice, or there would be no champions. There would only be mediocrity – following God because there was no other option.

So when you come to a crossroad, walk in faith that God’s plan will prevail – no matter our decision. Whether or not you participate in God’s plan is not necessarily going to change your worldly outcome – you may follow the world and live the happiest life on the earth and suffer for eternity after death, or you may follow Jesus Christ and suffer greatly in this life, but have the satisfaction of being God’s eternal child. God doesn’t guarantee safety and happiness. But he guarantees something so much better. Life to the full – the life of a champion.

Bus·y 1. (adj.) Having a great deal to do 2. (vb.) Keeping occupied

The title of this post is what Google tells me is the definition of busy. I suppose I am - what you would call - chronically busy. But to be honest, I like it that way. When there's nothing important to keep me occupied, I eventually end up in a funk of doing nothing worthwhile at all (i.e. ruminating, distracting myself from ruminating with screens, or just plain old sleeping). That was what I was doing last summer at around this time waiting for the end of June when I started training for summer camps... Two months of nothing! I fear the day when I'm unemployed and have nothing worthwhile to work towards. But, thank the Lord, I've been put to work for Athletes in Action and I'm busy. I am "keeping occupied" with a "great deal to do". What has been so rewarding is that the "great" deal is not only great in the sense that it is a large amount but also great as in AWESOME.

Sorry for the delay, but here's big long post to make up for it!

Here is some of the awesome stuff I've been up to recently:

Clinics at CCS - to promote the camps happening at Redeemer this summer and get some practice for the new coaches, three of my coworkers and I went to the Christian grade school in my neighbourhood to put on mini-camps for each class over the course of two Fridays. They went quite well and lots of kids seemed excited to hear more!

Fundraiser - each of the eight camp staff are asked to raise at least $1000 to help cover the operating costs of camps. AIA is a not-for-profit organization and raising some of our own support also helps to connect us with people who are willing to pray for and invest in what we are doing. Our eight staff members, as well as one who is headed to Alberta, and one who is working to cover costs for NTC, got together on a Saturday to do a big yard sale/car wash/bake sale/BBQ!

Corey's beautiful advertisement

Madi's was all right too

The unicycle was a hot item

Highlight of the day: When this man bought this couch and took it home in this bobcat... He was exuberant.

Work it

Aaron and Jocelyn learning how to long board...

I think that's how you do it. Right?

"Are you taking a picture of me?!" - Heidi
Yes. Yes I was.

Our sound system for the day = a cd player/radio we found in the church balanced on/in the bush

Ben's Grad - I ushered at Ben's grad so my ticket could be used for another family member. There were some proud moments seeing him walk across that stage, taking pictures with his professors, and saying goodbye/riddance to Redeemer! 

Receiving his hood

Prof Flatt!

Jer's Grad - My parents and I made the long trip to Jeremy's graduation. It was CRAZY the celebration they put on down there. It's a 3 day event - not to mention the reunion parties before hand...

Class day

Family selfies are the best selfies

Yes, Al Gore spoke at Jer's class day. Yes, Steve Carell spoke at the 2012 class day.

Set up for graduation!

The FitzRandolph gate that Princeton students walk out of for the firs time when they graduate!

He kinda sticks out

You wouldn't believe how often people ask where Jer gets his height...

The graduating hockey players!

Promoting and Planning - My regular work includes a lot of emailing and talking to churches we're connecting with. I do the odd jobs that I'm able to do and much of this has been keeping my coworkers informed, planning for our training week, and promoting for the Redeemer camps!

Internship - I've begun an internship with an Osteopath in Dundas named Donnie Smith. He takes a wholistic approach to treatment of any kind of muscoloskeletal injuries and even addressing things like anxiety and depression. I explain osteopathy like chiropractic work except for the whole body! I find it very interesting and I'm learning a lot while working on some new skills.

Wonderland - The NTC gang planned a trip to Wonderland together! It was a blast and so awesome to see everyone again. Miss them lots!

The whole gang

Cute.

Half our crew - CCT!

The SIC crew. 

...our team was caught taking a selfie.

Conference - Two coworkers and I attended a church conference in Toronto to promote the camps. It was a lot of sitting around waiting for people to come talk to us, but it was a good time!

Our set-up. Note Madi enthralled in her book!

I replaced Craig for the day

So profesh.

Watching the Spain vs. Netherlands game while we worked? Not a bad deal.

And of course, there has been time spent with friends and family!

Snapchat says it all.

Mariocart is a must.

What a strange bunch

Glad to call these cuties friends!

LEGO!

Beautiful Marijke!

And Oma Marijke! Happy Birthday!

Ben's ready for cake.

The best swing.

The big boys had to have their turn!

(my favourite part is when the kids ask for their turn)

This coming week, I'll be tying up some loose ends before heading into my summer of camps! This Wednesday I take off to Alberta to do head coach training, and almost immediately when I get back, Ontario training begins! I'll have the following weekend to relax before heading out to our first camp at camp ABK north of Sudbury. 

After a few busy months of work and fun, I'm ready for the adventure of AIA camps to begin! Pray that God will do his work in me and my coworkers to best accomplish his goals and reach lives. 

On your marks, get set, GO.