Guns and Gloves: West Coast Honor Camp Sunday to Monday

Hey all, this week I'm writing to you from West Coast Honor Camp -- the camp for all clubbers in the region sixth grade and up who earned their Excellence award and completed this year's requirements.

Throughout the week, I'll *attempt* to provide updates and insights on what the kids are learning. This year's theme is Patriotic, and Eddie Hester, regional ministry director for Central and Western Europe at Awana International, kicked off the week appropriately last night with a definition of a patriot: someone who loves, supports and protects their country and its interests with devotion." He then embodied the definition with a war story from his time in Vietnam — one mission with two miracles: two deadly bullets that didn't kill.

Hester served in the armed forces as pilot. Part of his responsibility included flying a helicopter into enemy fire to rescue his fellow soldiers. On this particular mission, one bullet hit his "chicken vest" (had it hit his copilot in the same spot, his copilot would have died). Another bullet hit his copilot in a new ballistic helmet (had it hit Hester in the same spot, he would have died). Both bullets hit the right places on the right people -- to Hester, the two saved lives are both signs of God's love for His people.

The story also serves as an allegory for the Greatest Patriot: Jesus Christ. Christ loves, supports and protects the citizens of Heaven, even to the point of entering into enemy fire and dying to rescue those He loves.

The high school campers practice the Gospel Glove
to present to kids on Wednesday's ministry trips.

This morning, other patriots of Heaven began training for missions. On Wednesday, groups of high school campers will depart in various directions — some will work sorting stuff at a mission or cleaning and performing maintenance around other campgrounds. Other groups will go to different locations to host a one-day Awana. These kids will lead water games and songs, perform a puppet show or skit, present a lesson and a testimony, and, most importantly, share the Gospel with the attending children and parents.

Each year, the high-schoolers are taught a new Gospel tool, which they present to children on the Wednesday of the WCHC week. Today, they received this year's tool: the Gospel Glove. One side presents the Gospel message with verses, images and symbolic colors; the other presents a message about obedience and growth for those already saved.

Between now and the trip, the high school campers are encouraged to practice by presenting to their fellow junior-high campers.

In the meantime, the junior high will be completing training of their own: training on how to use the Armor of God. Today's piece: the Belt of Truth.

One final key trait of WCHC is the completion of verse cards: a card split into six days, each day having one or two verses. To complete a card, a camper has to recite all six days' worth in a single sitting with only two helps. As of this evening, the verse card count stands at at least 50.

So here we stand, one day completed, and one more opportunity to teach children to know, love and serve the Lord.

For more information about Awana Clubs International, visit the Awana Homepage.
To find a club in your area visit the Club Locator.