AWA August 2012

   July was an historic month for SUPAkidz camps. It was the first time in fourteen years that we have had three camps running during the same holiday. It was also the first time we had two teams training together at the same venue. It was also the first time we ran two camps one after the other on the same site.
    First up was the leader's training weekend at Hunua Falls, near Auckland. We had the SUPAkidz camp team and the Breakaway camp team together. More than half the leaders were new to Scripture Union camps and it was really exciting seeing them catch the vision for working with kids at camp and get to know each other through the weekend. It was greatly encouraging and challenging hearing testimonies from all the leaders at the end of the weekend. Some of them where deeply challenged by the training and had found a new desire to serve God.
    It was at this point that myself and the Breakaway camp team left for home and left the SUPAkidz camp team to run the first camp. It felt quite strange leaving another team to run a camp knowing that I would return in 5 days to start running the second camp.

In this issue...

3 Camps

Prayer

Home

Medal

Geronimo

Hips

SU NZ links

PDF version

   The first camp unfortunately didn’t have very good weather but that didn’t stop the fun. It was great to have tried and tested games and activities handed over to start camp. We had wonderful weather, other than the freezing cold frosts each morning. John our camp cook said it was warmer walking into the walk in chiller in the morning that actually staying in the kitchen. (John also made SUPAkidz camp history by being the only leader to be there for the training and both camps.)
   We played some awesome night games did a longer than expected bush walk, took part in a rodeo and played the some classic camp games. The teaching programme was based around the old testament prophets and the questions that the children began asking were really deep. For example, “If I swear will God still love me? How old is God and who made Him?” and many more. A number of children stayed behind to talk with leaders when we challenged them to think about where God could be in their lives.
    As campers left to go home there were lots of tears. Leaders cried as they knew some of these children were going back to some very difficult situations. Campers cried as they really didn’t want to leave the fun and the leaders they had grown to love. And a caregiver who was in tears as she she shared that this was the first camp that she had not been phoned on the first night of camp to come and collect the two brothers she had brought to camp. They made it through all 5 days which was testament to the amazing leaders and how they loved and welcomed each child.
    The same day we started the second camp in Auckland a team was gathering in Wellington for the second Breakaway camp there. The same programme was used as the other camps but it was wonderful to have campers and leaders who had been at the same camp last year returning. A national TV news crew also came out to camp and did a short documentary on the Breakaway camps and working with children from homes where family members have been, or are, in prison. God is at work!! Please pray for these children.

Give thanks and pray

For the three camps that took place during the July school holidays. Pray for the leaders a s they stay in touch with campers. Pray for the campers whose lives were transformed in any way at camp. Pray also for those who have got excited about reading the Bible, that they would continue reading with the help of an adult.

Every Friday 9:10-9:40 am – I teach a Bible in Schools year 2 class at Glendowie Primary. Pray for the team I am part of as we open God's Word in our local community each week.

I am away next Friday. Please pray for the teacher relieving in my class.

3 to 11 September
– Cleaning at NZ Fashion Week. Please pray for energy for both Gill and me and especially for Gill as she juggles things at home and helps me clean each evening.

13 September
- Starship Hospital Children's Church

20 September
- Starship Hospital Children's Church

Pray for SUPAkidz camp preparations for October. Paul Dadd is leading the team and we are looking for cooks.
Traing for camp in on the 6 and 7 of October and camp is from 8 to 12 October at Camp Morley.

Home

   Our church home group have been working our way through the Essential 100 Bible reading challenge. It has been great to see God's plan and hand on his people all the way through His Word.
    James is going to the Underwater Hockey National Championship and then a week later his rugby side is going on tour in the South Island. This has meant fund raising of various forms. We will be glad when it is over.
    Until the end of the year Gill will be teaching full time again.

Medal

I, with my underwater hockey team, received a gold medal. We came first in the top of the North Island Regional Championship. So we now get to go to the national championship in Wellington in September. I'm really looking forward to it.

James 13

Geronimo

I have now got my own library card because I just love reading. Geronimo Stilton books are my favourite. I am trying to read all of them. I ordered a book from the library on the internet. When we went to pick it up is was on CD. Thomas and I love listening to it.

Chris 10

Hips

My rugby coach asked my dad when I was going to give dancing lessons. I was very confused. Dad said that it was because the coach liked the way I moved my hips from side to side to stop the other side ripping my Rippa Rugby tags off. I love scoring tries.

Thomas 7