It has been five days since Ian’s passing, and I am finding serving here at Camp des Cimes to be a refuge in some respects, but a trial in others. As with all experiences, you must take the good with the bad. The work and constant activity at camp has been a blessed distraction from thoughts of Ian, but it has also been exhausting. I so badly want to be home to attend the funeral and celebrate Ian’s impact on others, but also know that I was called here for a reason and cannot abandon my duty – this feeling is certainly something Ian knew well. I have not hidden my emotions, but have tried to find joy in moments of true community here. I know Ian wouldn’t want anything less, and I am hoping everyone here who heard the news understands that when I smile and laugh, I am experiencing much needed catharsis from the sorrow I feel. For the most part, people here have been very good about giving me my space and allowing me to grieve alone when I feel the need.
Friends and family have been a blessing from afar as well, sending their love and support. To be honest, it is a bit overwhelming. Know that I do not have energy to write too much back to each of you, but that your words have been invaluable to me in this time.
Camp chugs along like a well-oiled machine despite many last-minute changes. Yesterday, the dinner’s turkey order did not come until 6:15 – two hours later than scheduled. The kitchen team was panicked but worked hard to get the meal out before eight and succeeded with flying colors, delivering a meal every bit as delicious as we would expect from them. Video workshop has also experienced some bumps in the road as our editor’s computer crashed and we were left with less attractive options to do post-production work. I have committed my free time following workshop and prior to dinner to editing on our computer using iMovie. It isn’t the most advanced software and is frustrating at times, but for our purposes it will be just fine. Filming itself has been going well and the French campers have been nailing their English lines, so things could be a whole lot worse.
Here are the names of the campers in my workshop for prayer purposes: Nathanael, Augustin, Emilie, Maud, Maelys, Karine, and Tristan. I know that some of them are not believers, so pray that God would give me an attitude and demeanor worthy of him while working with them. For the most part, they have been a joy to me, though they are not the most organized or focused bunch until we start filming.
Today’s message was on obstacles to faith – pray that the Spirit works through the words spoken to change camper’s hearts to the gospel and bring them close to God. Tonight we will be playing a massive spy game throughout the whole camp grounds, with service team playing the part of snipers with water balloons. It will be my first time this year taking part in the night game, and it sounds like it will be a fun experience.
In other news, we are receiving updates from the States regarding the birth of our godson Aaron. We have been blessed with the opportunity to serve as godparents for our good friends Christopher and Rachel’s new child, and we are going to try to call them later today. It will be a true blessing to hear from them and hear the joy in their voices.
God bless,
David
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Friday, July 8, 2011
Goodbye, My Brother
To many, Ian will be remembered as a valiant serviceman who risked his life to protect and serve those who never knew his name, to others he will be remembered as a caring friend who always lent an ear to those who needed it, but to me, he was the closest thing I ever knew to a brother. As with many brothers, we did not have a lot of shared interests or common hobbies, but our mutual history bound us together with ties of allegiance that ran deeper than the shallow conventions of modern friendship. When we talked, we would share our own perspectives, joys, and struggles, not looking to debate, but simply hoping to inform and share, as any two blood brothers would do. I think it was mutually understood that in any other life, we would not have grown close, but in this life, we were fated to have our lives intertwined in a fashion that we could never forget the other.
I met Ian when I was three years old living on Lamplight Drive. Nearly every day after elementary school throughout my time there, I would ask my mother if I could go play with Ian, and with her approval, I would knock meekly on the McConnell door and ask Elizabeth or Meg if Ian was available. Most of the time the answer was yes. It didn’t matter that Ian preferred building intricate Lego sets while I preferred throwing a baseball – we made concessions for one another and merely found joy in each other’s company. Over the years, our interests changed, but this reality remained. Over the past five years, Ian and I talked less and less, but it remained a priority to be in contact and update one another on any new adventures or turn of events. It was simply what you did with family. We would always leave each other with the same exchange – “Love you, brother.” ; “Love you too, man.”
Ian will always be preserved in these memories and he will never leave me. His stamp will always be on my life, and I couldn’t thank him more for this. I can only hope that my own life will mirror the loyalty, honesty, and kindness he has shown me. I will forever miss him and his company deeply.
For reasons I do not fully understand, God has brought me to France to serve Him for the months of July and August rather than be in the states with Ian’s family and friends. For reasons I also do not fully understand, God has permitted Ian to be taken from us. The only comfort I have is that God sorrowfully permitted this to advance a greater purpose. As Romans 8:28 states, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (NKJV)
If we accept the glorious and awesome from God, we must also be willing to mournfully accept the necessity of the painful and confusing. We are never promised any joy but the joy of knowing God is sovereign and working in all things. I don’t think we will ever know in this life how Ian’s death fits into God’s plans, but I know that in the end it will make sense.
Elizabeth and Meg, know that this is not your fault; rely on the Lord in all things and seek comfort in Him. Be honest with Him and seek Him in truth. He weeps with you over Ian’s passing, and desires to bring you peace beyond all understanding.
Goodbye, my friend. Goodbye, my brother. You were loved.
I met Ian when I was three years old living on Lamplight Drive. Nearly every day after elementary school throughout my time there, I would ask my mother if I could go play with Ian, and with her approval, I would knock meekly on the McConnell door and ask Elizabeth or Meg if Ian was available. Most of the time the answer was yes. It didn’t matter that Ian preferred building intricate Lego sets while I preferred throwing a baseball – we made concessions for one another and merely found joy in each other’s company. Over the years, our interests changed, but this reality remained. Over the past five years, Ian and I talked less and less, but it remained a priority to be in contact and update one another on any new adventures or turn of events. It was simply what you did with family. We would always leave each other with the same exchange – “Love you, brother.” ; “Love you too, man.”
Ian will always be preserved in these memories and he will never leave me. His stamp will always be on my life, and I couldn’t thank him more for this. I can only hope that my own life will mirror the loyalty, honesty, and kindness he has shown me. I will forever miss him and his company deeply.
For reasons I do not fully understand, God has brought me to France to serve Him for the months of July and August rather than be in the states with Ian’s family and friends. For reasons I also do not fully understand, God has permitted Ian to be taken from us. The only comfort I have is that God sorrowfully permitted this to advance a greater purpose. As Romans 8:28 states, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (NKJV)
If we accept the glorious and awesome from God, we must also be willing to mournfully accept the necessity of the painful and confusing. We are never promised any joy but the joy of knowing God is sovereign and working in all things. I don’t think we will ever know in this life how Ian’s death fits into God’s plans, but I know that in the end it will make sense.
Elizabeth and Meg, know that this is not your fault; rely on the Lord in all things and seek comfort in Him. Be honest with Him and seek Him in truth. He weeps with you over Ian’s passing, and desires to bring you peace beyond all understanding.
Goodbye, my friend. Goodbye, my brother. You were loved.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
It Begins!
Right now, I am sitting and listening to a camper activity going on below me in the Grand Chalet. As I hear the kids laugh and talk with one another, I am comforted with the knowledge that God grows His church regardless of age or circumstance. These campers are not afraid to ask tough questions, and as usual, the camp has given them an opportunity to ask them. Here is a sample of some of the many questions the campers submitted to the camp staff:
- What happens to infants who die? Why does God allow this?
- How can we know Christianity is right? What about Buddhism and Islam?
- Why does it seem that God is silent? Does He care about us? Why?
- Why does God allow disasters to happen?
- Why did God create us?
- My brother has skin disease. My family and church have been praying and fasting for years and exhausted medical resources. Why is he not cured?
- I recently read the book of Leviticus. Must we apply the laws God gave to Moses as Christians?
- Do you believe Jesus is God? Please prove it Biblically.
The final two questions are topics I have studied personally in recent years, and I feel blessed to have the opportunity to help campers dig deeper into Scripture and logic. I will be assisting in a small group discussion on the question of the Law, and a one-on-one discussion on Christ’s divinity. I am deeply encouraged (and also overwhelmed) by the depth of questioning these campers have. It is my firm belief that asking tough questions is one key way God grows our trust in Him. After all, if we are too afraid to ask the tough questions and genuinely seek truthful answers, how can we justifiably say we have faith to begin with? Would not being afraid to ask questions show a lack of faith? As such, I welcome such questions and subsequent times of intellectual trial – I know that without them in my life, I would have (at best) very shaky grounding for my faith. As my faith is my ultimate and guiding joy in life, I wouldn’t trade the pain and confusion I felt when asking those questions myself for the world.
In other news, my video workshop is going well, and we are on schedule thus far. Day one I showed the campers a film noir (Laura, from 1944) to give them a taste of the genre we would be making, and today, I taught them how to storyboard and use a camera to emphasize mood, meaning, and most importantly, continuity. Hopefully some of my teaching rubs off and we come out at the end of camp with a pretty good product. In any case, pray first and foremost that the campers would have the energy and focus to work diligently on the project and grow through the process. We have a lot of work ahead of us, and a lot could go wrong, so pray that we could be patient with one another, glorify God, and have fun at the same time.
Chelsea and the kitchen team are still churning out quality food for the campers, despite some hiccups along the way. Day one, we did not have the potatoes necessary for a side dish, and yesterday we were missing capers for Chicken Piccata, and in both cases, Chelsea had to improvise a solution. Per usual, the meals she created in lieu of her original menu turned out wonderfully. Also per usual, Dustin and Kelly were flexible and made what could have been a painful process into one of laughter and mutual joy. Chelsea is truly blessed to have two people so servant-hearted to work with her.
Camp Director Tom spoke on the doctrine of God this morning (Who is God?), and there is a full slate of topics to cover over the course of the two-week camp. Pray that God would move and soften hearts, giving us all the words to speak and an attitude worthy of Him.
God bless,
David
- What happens to infants who die? Why does God allow this?
- How can we know Christianity is right? What about Buddhism and Islam?
- Why does it seem that God is silent? Does He care about us? Why?
- Why does God allow disasters to happen?
- Why did God create us?
- My brother has skin disease. My family and church have been praying and fasting for years and exhausted medical resources. Why is he not cured?
- I recently read the book of Leviticus. Must we apply the laws God gave to Moses as Christians?
- Do you believe Jesus is God? Please prove it Biblically.
The final two questions are topics I have studied personally in recent years, and I feel blessed to have the opportunity to help campers dig deeper into Scripture and logic. I will be assisting in a small group discussion on the question of the Law, and a one-on-one discussion on Christ’s divinity. I am deeply encouraged (and also overwhelmed) by the depth of questioning these campers have. It is my firm belief that asking tough questions is one key way God grows our trust in Him. After all, if we are too afraid to ask the tough questions and genuinely seek truthful answers, how can we justifiably say we have faith to begin with? Would not being afraid to ask questions show a lack of faith? As such, I welcome such questions and subsequent times of intellectual trial – I know that without them in my life, I would have (at best) very shaky grounding for my faith. As my faith is my ultimate and guiding joy in life, I wouldn’t trade the pain and confusion I felt when asking those questions myself for the world.
In other news, my video workshop is going well, and we are on schedule thus far. Day one I showed the campers a film noir (Laura, from 1944) to give them a taste of the genre we would be making, and today, I taught them how to storyboard and use a camera to emphasize mood, meaning, and most importantly, continuity. Hopefully some of my teaching rubs off and we come out at the end of camp with a pretty good product. In any case, pray first and foremost that the campers would have the energy and focus to work diligently on the project and grow through the process. We have a lot of work ahead of us, and a lot could go wrong, so pray that we could be patient with one another, glorify God, and have fun at the same time.
Chelsea and the kitchen team are still churning out quality food for the campers, despite some hiccups along the way. Day one, we did not have the potatoes necessary for a side dish, and yesterday we were missing capers for Chicken Piccata, and in both cases, Chelsea had to improvise a solution. Per usual, the meals she created in lieu of her original menu turned out wonderfully. Also per usual, Dustin and Kelly were flexible and made what could have been a painful process into one of laughter and mutual joy. Chelsea is truly blessed to have two people so servant-hearted to work with her.
Camp Director Tom spoke on the doctrine of God this morning (Who is God?), and there is a full slate of topics to cover over the course of the two-week camp. Pray that God would move and soften hearts, giving us all the words to speak and an attitude worthy of Him.
God bless,
David
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Team Building and Anticipation
The campers arrive tomorrow, and we have spent the last two days participating in orientation and preparation for the next two weeks. New volunteers (such as Kelly and Dustin) take in wise words about the differences between American and French culture, and everyone is busy planning events, games, and activities for the camp. For me, there is always a nervous excitement about these days, as expectations are a blank and you must trust that God will work in spite of your mishaps and miscalculations.
It has been great to get to know new people and reconnect with the old. One example of many: I spoke with David Curtis, who led the video workshop with me two years ago, and it was a true encouragement to hear what God is doing in his life. He previously worked as a full-time videographer, but when the economy turned south, much of his work was lost. As a result, he has been working as a tow-truck driver in addition to doing video projects part-time. He told us how God has used his situation for good, providing countless opportunities to share his faith with those he picks up on the side of the road. In his life, a bump in the road meant God could use him and push him in new ways. Him and his wife are working toward serving in French ministries full-time, and I couldn’t think of someone more suited for the job as God continues to grow and shape them.
In our work, we have been blessed thus far. I have been blessed with wonderful and talented helpers for the video workshop (a huge answered prayer), and just finished the workshop’s promotion video for the campers. Chelsea, Kelly, and Dustin have churned out four meals and are currently working on a fifth, to rave reviews. F.Y.I - Fried Chicken, Chana Masala (Chickpea Curry Dish), Pork Enchiladas with Pumpkin Seed Mole, Wild Rice and Turkey Salad, and tonight we get Beef Kabobs as a team. We will be taking pictures of all the food once camp starts and posting them here, so stay tuned. =)
Team Epikos on the whole is doing well. Kelly and Dustin have found a niche in the kitchen and made new friends, and Chelsea and I feel, in many ways, back at home. It is nice to be serving along side friends, especially when you are confident God has and will bless your work for Him.
Updates coming up next on the first days of camp. As always, pray that God would touch the hearts of the campers and give us the strength, patience, and joy to represent Him well. Camp director Tom said it well during today’s orientation – it isn’t about setting out to change lives, but simply dwelling in the loving presence of the Lord and letting Him change the lives of others through us. For something so comforting, it is easy to forget.
It has been great to get to know new people and reconnect with the old. One example of many: I spoke with David Curtis, who led the video workshop with me two years ago, and it was a true encouragement to hear what God is doing in his life. He previously worked as a full-time videographer, but when the economy turned south, much of his work was lost. As a result, he has been working as a tow-truck driver in addition to doing video projects part-time. He told us how God has used his situation for good, providing countless opportunities to share his faith with those he picks up on the side of the road. In his life, a bump in the road meant God could use him and push him in new ways. Him and his wife are working toward serving in French ministries full-time, and I couldn’t think of someone more suited for the job as God continues to grow and shape them.
In our work, we have been blessed thus far. I have been blessed with wonderful and talented helpers for the video workshop (a huge answered prayer), and just finished the workshop’s promotion video for the campers. Chelsea, Kelly, and Dustin have churned out four meals and are currently working on a fifth, to rave reviews. F.Y.I - Fried Chicken, Chana Masala (Chickpea Curry Dish), Pork Enchiladas with Pumpkin Seed Mole, Wild Rice and Turkey Salad, and tonight we get Beef Kabobs as a team. We will be taking pictures of all the food once camp starts and posting them here, so stay tuned. =)
Team Epikos on the whole is doing well. Kelly and Dustin have found a niche in the kitchen and made new friends, and Chelsea and I feel, in many ways, back at home. It is nice to be serving along side friends, especially when you are confident God has and will bless your work for Him.
Updates coming up next on the first days of camp. As always, pray that God would touch the hearts of the campers and give us the strength, patience, and joy to represent Him well. Camp director Tom said it well during today’s orientation – it isn’t about setting out to change lives, but simply dwelling in the loving presence of the Lord and letting Him change the lives of others through us. For something so comforting, it is easy to forget.
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