Living the Lessons: West Coast Honor Camp Wednesday through Thursday

At West Coast Honor Camp, Pastor Shawn's theme of "Think Right, Do Right, Feel Right" continued last night with "Taking a Running Stand for the Living God" using David as an example.

The story, taken from 1 Samuel 17:8-54, shows three key points of how David took a running stand against Goliath:

The high school campers shared the Gospel Glove at
Grace Baptist Church, Enterprise Park, and
Sierra Oaks Living Care Center.

1) God gives GIANT JOBS in the middle of tiny tasks. David was not a warrior, he was just a cheese delivery boy. But when he saw the problem, he seized it.

2) God gives an ENORMOUS EDUCATION in the middle of everyday life. David had killed a lion and a bear in order to protect the sheep in his charge. Because of fulfilling the jobs of his daily life, he was prepared to face Goliath.

3) You need TREMENDOUS TRUST in spite of the overwhelming odds. David approached Goliath with nothing but a stick, some rope and a few pebbles, but had the faith to tell Goliath "This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel" (1 Sam. 17:46).

Earlier yesterday, the high school experienced the points first hand, serving in the five different ministries and facing challenges in Redding, Calif. The challenges began when one of the buses broke down. For Johnathan Inscho, the camp worship leader, the necessity of a working bus making two trips became a blessing, providing a "big job in a tiny task".

"The bus driver was asking questions down and back," he said. "I asked Mr. Trautwein for a Bible so I could write down verses for him to read. If the first bus hadn't broken down, I wouldn't have had that witnessing opportunity."

When the campers and staff returned, many had stories on ways they helped others, ways they made others smile, and ways that God challenged them. Below are a few of those stories. Enjoy.

Several of the high school campers did maintenance at
Mountain Meadows Bible Camp.

Mountain Meadows Bible Camp

The high school campers worked at this Bible camp to clean brush, haul and strip logs, and complete other maintenance. According to the Mountain Meadows staff, "It would have taken six weeks to do what you have done."

Emily, Junior
"I was carrying a huge log by myself with no one around. On the end of the log were spikes, and I didn't have my gloves on. I tried lifting it on my shoulder, but it was very painful. So I knelt and prayed, 'God give me strength to do what needs done.' I put my gloves back on and got a bruised shoulder, but I got it done...It was really inspiring that we could all come together as the body of Christ, as a team to accomplish what we needed to do — move brush, etc."

Ellen, Senior
"God showed me how easy it is to clean my room compared to cleaning His forest."

Grace Baptist Church

Here, the campers canvased the area for children to attend a brief Awana-style program. The high school kids ran water games, sang songs, presented a Bible lesson, performed either puppets or a skit, and broke into small groups to present the Gospel Glove to the children.

Rory, in his Chapel testimony
"We weren't just reaching the kids and the parents, but we also reached those whose apartments were knocked on who didn't have any kids."

Colin, Junior
"We went out to canvas, but didn't find any kids, so we weren't sure how many would actually show up. When we finished canvasing and returned, there were 30 kids waiting for us. One child came to Christ, which was cool because we weren't sure we were getting through."

Laura, Junior
"One of the families there whose door we went to came to our presentation. They had five kids, and the parents stayed, listening more than the kids were. Apparently, they used to attend Sunday School, and were considering attending again. It's really cool that we brought the parents back."

Campers served food and took time to listen to the stories of
the homeless at the Gospel Rescue Mission.

Gospel Rescue Mission

 Here the high schoolers filled and carried food trays to homeless people at tables. The campers also did general cleaning, such as washing cars and mattresses, and sorting clothes.

Bill Harben, Staff
"The high school kids sat down with the homeless and did some talking, but they mostly listened as the homeless shared trials, hardships, and persecutions. I overheard one man as he thanked a high school camper for listening. It had been two years since someone sat down and listened to him."

Cooper, Junior
"I talked to a couple of older guys who were having a hard time. One of the gentlemen got excited about kids serving. He was encouraged about people out ministering at such a young age.

Enterprise Park

Here the campers ran programs just like at Grace Baptist Church. They ran through the program twice, and about 13 children trusted Christ as Savior.

Jim Schleusner, Graduate
"The greatest challenge we faced was we came expecting a hose, and there wasn't one, so we had to use the sinks in the bathroom. However, the volcano wasn't working, so the kids weren't distracted."

Chloe, Senior
"There was a traveling preacher at the park, and he prayed for us. We always pray for our ministries, but to have someone from outside pray was encouraging."

At the Sierra Oaks Living Care Center, the high school
campers and the senior citizens sing hymns together.

Sierra Oaks Living Care Center

The high school campers sang hymns, gave a Bible lesson, performed a puppet show, met with the seniors and shared the Gospel Gloves. They presented the program twice in two different areas. Two 100-year-old ladies trusted Christ.

Maggie, Sophomore
"My most memorable moment was one old lady with a batman shirt and dog. She put makeup on just for us, and she enjoyed the songs."

Silas, Junior
"I was talking with a lady there, and she asked if I enlisted in World War II to fight. She also thought I was married and had kids. But even though she had off moments, she was already a Christian, and she challenged me to be a better brother to my siblings. I was able to learn from her rather than... her learn from me.

Tana Richards, Staff
"Many of our kids were nervous, not sure what to do. Some were bold and went up and talked to the residents. It was neat to see them step outside their comfort zones, and the residents loved it. You could see their faces light up."

Wednesday Night's Chapel Message: Taking a Running Stand for the Living God
Total Verse Card Count: 120
Junior High Armor: Helmet of Salvation
All photos were provided by the high school ministry groups. As for us, one more full day left! Prayers we finish strong!

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