You came and filled this heart

I've just come back from leading on another kids camp and right now I should really be working on an assignment... but my mind is spinning with all that God has shown me this week- So I need to share first.

It's been over two years since my last kids camp. I've been putting it off due to prac, working so much with kids in other areas of my life as well as burning out at the end of  2014 camp... This time I had the sense God wanted me back at camp. At first I thought everything would be fine but then as always life got a bit hectic and I ended up going to camp off the back of a week of moving house, very emotional goodbyes which had left me incredibly drained... And while I was happy to be back at camp... I felt far from ready...

As the week went on... I saw more and more things that filled my tired heart with joy and God filled me up in a ways that He knows make me deeply happy.

I watched young first and second time leaders building relationships with their campers, teaching them about Jesus and being SO SO excited for what God is doing in the lives of the kids they had been blessed with for the week. I had the awesome opportunity to mentor a few of these leaders over the week and I am so incredibly thankful to have had this chance- THANK YOU for sharing your hearts and your stories with me this week! You have blessed me more than you can imagine.
My co-leader was a first time leader also. Although I don't think there was ever a time at camp I could tell it was her first time leading. She was phenomenal and her love for God and the kids was so so beautiful to watch. I feel honored to have shared this week and this group with you.

I had a group of mostly year 3 and 4 girls. They were so beautiful and so excited to learn about Jesus and our week ended with at least 5 of our 9 girls making the huge decision to live their lives for God (Jesus goosebumps to the max!) I feel hugely blessed that you were all so excited to learn about our God whom I love and know and who makes such a phenomenal difference in my life.

I loved having worship songs stuck in my head, seeing a whole room full of kids singing 'nothing but the blood of Jesus' at the top of their lungs, singing worship songs on bush walks and being so excited to praise God.... I less enjoyed hearing the duck song hundreds of time- but seeing a whole room full of kids singing a ridiculous song is kind of funny at times =) I loved the bus rides, digging massive holes at the beach and trying miserably to understand your riddles and jokes ;)

My cold went away and I have come home from camp healthier, with more energy (In a whole range of ways) than I went in!

It's so interesting to go back to camp after a big break, three teaching placements and most of a teaching degree. I feel like I lead quite differently now to how I have in the past and I'm intrigued at how different experiences have changed certain things but at the core of it remains a crazy love of Jesus and a deep desire to share His love with a bunch of beautiful young people!

God is good! Thank you to all who shared this week with me!

Now back to my assignment =)

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