Final Friday 2010

August 2, 2010

In the morning, it seemed like any other Friday–the campers got up bright and early to pack up and then it was off to breakfast, just like usual! But, today was unlike any other Friday. After breakfast, the entire camp went to the stop of the stairs to the lake where the bell hangs. This summer has been one filled with celebrations to last for eternity, namely each of the 150 boys and girls that gave their lives to Jesus on the grounds of Camp Longridge. To celebrate each of these souls that were saved, the staff rang the bell 150 times as the campers and leaders counted each ring. The sound of the bell tolling echoed over camp, and it was an emotional and joyous new tradition for the end of the summer.

After this ceremony, we went to the chapel for our final praise gathering! The praise band led us all in exciting worship songs, and Mr. Frank gave a devotion with a baseball glove–just as the glove requires a hand inside of it to do it’s job, so do we all require God’s hand in our lives so that we can do His will. As long as we abide in Christ, we can do anything He can do, just as the glove could do whatever Mr. Frank wanted it do as long as he wore it.

After a final canteen break, it was time to finish packing and cleaning the cabins! Once everyone was packed and the cabins were looking good, the campers gathered together for a final team activity.

After this, we gathered in the Chapel for lunch and the awards ceremony. Every camper was recognized and awarded a ribbon for their participation in Peanut Patch Olympics, and the winners for each Peanut Patch event were also announced along with the winning team, camp champions, and Bible drill winner. After the conclusion of the awards ceremony, we all joined together as a camp family to sing the theme song, “Alive Again,” one last time.

From a veteran staffer’s point of view, this summer has been one of celebrations, of committments, of rededications and salvations, of new friendships and reunions. We have sought to glorify our loving God in every team activity, every devotion, every conversation, and every song, and He has responded by blessing the lives of hundreds of students and leaders, as well as shaping and directing the lives of staffers who may not have expected to leave the summer so affected.

Each day with your students was a joy! We hope to see each of you on the grounds again soon for camp retreats and of course, for Summer 2011!

Gratefully,

Hillary Beasley

Posted in Staff

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