Summer Fun!

Summer Ministry is my favorite time of the year!  It is a time when we don't have to worry about school schedules and interuptions, but can focus on providing fun, memory-making experiences with the kids.  This summer was no exception.  We did day camps for the kids under the age of 14.  They were able to come to the team house and have pool time, games, crafts, great food and good lessons.  We also did a tween camp this year for kids 12-14 and a teen camp.  The theme for the year was Perseverance and we focused on different parts of this; faith, hope, purity, purpose and discipline. 

There were so many great moments that I can't tell you about all of them, so I'll let the pictures tell most of the story.

The pool was a favorite activity, as usual!  The month of June for us, was pretty cool and rainy, so many of the swimming days with the little ones were was a bit cold.  But if you only get to swim 2 days a summer, you swim, no matter how cold you are!

 Our new addition to the pool this summer was basketball hoops.  James Lynch, from Buhler along with Steven came up with and built (with some helpers), 2 hoops.  We had a lot of fun playing basketball!

There were some intense games--but I was able to hold my own!

 I always pray a lot for protection over the summer.  With all of the driving that we do, activities with the kids, and pool time, there are tons of opportunity for injury.  But God was faithful again this summer and it was a very safe summer!  The biggest injury....when one of the kids' head connected with my ribcage in the pool.  His head was fine, I had a bruised rib all summer, but all is good!

Part of the fun of summer camps is good food.  The kids look forward and argue about what they are going to eat each year! A typical conversation in the van on the way to came is, "what are we having for lunch?"  "I bet pizza, because we had pizza last year, or maybe soarma, or maybe hot dogs, or maybe...."

 I was blessed to have "Buhlerites" (people from my home town), here ministering with me this summer!  Parker Wedel, Elisa and Josh Brikerhoff, and James Lynch.  They were great, and once again proved me proud!  They were hard working, flexible, and ready to jump into wherever the need was, including cleaning up from the Flood of 2015!

Craft Time!

The kids love skits!  This was an amazing rendition of Daniel and the Lion's Den!

Putting on their Armor of God!

 For the Tween and Teen camps we had obstacle courses to encourage the idea of persevering.  They were FUN!

 This is the new favorite treat of the summer.  A new ice cream store that opened down in the old city center.  Want to know how good it is......come to help out with summer ministry and we'll take you!