Junior B Camp started out bright and sunny with a game in the meadow as campers and counselors met, moved into their cabins, and began a week of summer adventures together.

One of the special elements of this week was the fact that our speaker (camp name Phoenix) had experienced this exact moment herself way back when she was a camper attending Camas Meadows for the first time.

Phoenix went on to become a camp counselor herself, where she got her awesome camp name. She now has a little one of her own and she and her husband work for the Moody Aviation School. So much life has happened since she was last here serving at Camas Meadows. It was so exciting to have Pheonix back in the role of camp speaker.

Monday’s chapel was titled “Who Am I?–Knowing Our Identity”, and Pheonix spoke on knowing our identity.

“Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.” Psalm 100:3

The little people in our lives face so much pressure. Everyone wants them to achieve great things: in sports, at math competitions, getting a solo in band, being a drama star, knowing exactly who they are right now and striving for their goals with gusto . . .

Both grownups and children alike, often forget something vital about our identity.

We can rest in an awesome knowledge that is mind-boggling and beautiful. We were made in the image of God and He longs for us to choose Him and to be His very own.

For the morning devotion on Tuesday, each cabin read Psalm 139:1-18 and discussed what it says about who God Himself is.

“You have searched me, LORD, and you know me.” Psalm 139:1

Tuesday’s chapel was titled, “Who Am I?–God’s Masterpiece”.

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:13-14

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10

Something I love about camp is watching kids step out of their comfort zones in a rush of bravery and try something completely new.

For many children, going to camp is the first time they’ve braved a new activity away from home. A night hike to Inspiration Point to look at the stars, a game of capture the flag in the meadow, or putting on a paintball mask and rushing into the woods with friends for a mighty paintball battle.

As children grow and stretch, it was so amazing to see the way Phoenix paired teaching about who they are in Christ with all their new adventures.

During morning devos on Wednesday, the campers looked at Romans 8:31-39 and discussed what these verses say about who God is.

“Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” Romans 8:34

Wednesday’s chapel was called “Who Am I?–Sin’s Distortion” and one of the key verses was Luke 15:11-24.

“Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.” Luke 15:13

“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’” Luke 15:17-19

So often we get distracted by all that we ourselves have done. Our sin, our pain, finding ourselves in a dark and terrible place and not knowing how to get out. How to come home.

But when Jesus told the parable of the prodigal son, His emphasis was not on the son’s terrible choices (although they were numerous and shocking) the story’s crowning moment was the Father’s inexplicable and reckless forgiveness.

The crescendo of the tale was the moment that a man who had every right to never look his son in the face again swept that broken young man into his arms and rejoiced.

“In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15:10

And just in case His audience was so hardened that they missed His point, Jesus starts this shocking story with the verse above.

While our mistakes may be scandalous, nothing is more scandalous than God’s capacity to love.

For Thursday’s devo time, the campers studied Ephesians 1:3-14 and discussed what it says about the character of God.

“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—” Ephesians 1:4-5

Thursday’s chapel was “Who Am I?–Confident in Christ”.

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Life feels very big, especially when you are a little person. But knowing that God has made us “thoroughly equipped” for the tasks He asks of us can bring so much peace, even in uncertain times.

For morning devotions on Friday, the campers and their counselors studied Psalm 51:1-12 and asked the question, what does this passage tell us about God?

“Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.” Psalm 51:7

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10

What strikes me about this passage is how David trusted that God could cleanse him, even after all that he had done against God’s name and so many innocent people.

It is God’s power and love working within the human heart that accomplishes His good works among us. He is our righteousness, indeed.

The Friday chapel was titled “Who Am I?–Made for a Purpose”.

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2

We love because he first loved us.” I John 4:19

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” I Thessalonians 5:16-18

In the photo below, Phoenix poses with three campers and our new pup Nessie Karu. I want to finish this blog with an encouraging testimony that Phoenix sent to Scruffy and gave us permission to use.

Camas Meadows Bible Camp is such a unique place. It’s a place of belonging for so many people, including myself. As a camper, I came up to camp and learned how important a relationship with Jesus was. I had a lot of head knowledge, but learning about how Jesus wants a relationship with me, was a turning point in my walk with Him. As a counselor, I learned what servant leadership looked like. Jesus is the ultimate example of this – putting others above himself as he died a brutal death on the cross for us. I have taken the idea of servant leadership into my adult life with me. No matter how far up the leadership chain you are, you’re not too good to serve in the dish pit, clean up messes, shovel snow, etc. I had the wonderful opportunity to come back to camp 15 years later as a camp speaker. I walked into the lodge on Monday morning, and it felt like home, even though there were so many new faces. Once you are a part of the Camas Family. you are always a part of the camp family, and this is a beautiful image of what unity in Christ looks like – true Christian community. I am forever grateful for Camas Meadows Bible Camp and the role it has played in teaching and encouraging me to love Jesus, love others and love myself well. 

Phoenix

Boo Boo