MAD Camp 2010 : GO!

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:1-2

Last week was Music and Drama Camp at church. It is always a highlight of the summer for Ka'iulani. And this year was no exception. I saw her laughing with one of the pastors on the way out the door as I picked her up one afternoon, and I asked her what they were talking about it. She told me he had asked her which camp she liked better, his camp or CYT. And while she absolutely loved both, she told him that she really loved the one at her home church :-)
 Singing in the choir.


 


 The youngest group of kids in drama did a skit where they did a Bible Times and Modern Times contrast of the the story of Jonah. They called it Jonah and Joe. Alyssa was a flight attendant in the modern day sketch involving Joe. All the drama scripts were written during the week with the input of the kids' ideas. I thought that was really neat. The teen drama group did an amazing job!

One of the things I appreciate so much about our church is that it is not just a place for the kids to go to be ministered to {although this is a huge and invaluable part of the church!}, but it's also about giving the kids a ministry of their own. Whether it is through a ministry of donating items to people in need during VBS, or a more visible ministry where the children are actually in front of the church performing, the kids are given a platform to share what God has meant in their young lives, and it's such a great thing to see. And it gives the children a great chance to see how they have made a real difference to people. I say this with some measure of caution as I think it's important to note that it's not about saying what our church does well, or even just highlighting the talents of the kids and their teachers. It's about being grateful to the people in the church who invest so much in developing the young people of our church in whatever area of gifting they have, and most of all, pointing to God with their work, so that He may be glorified in it all.

That is what the theme of the week: GO! was all about. Showing the kids that because they are "surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses," people who care about them growing in their Christian life, there is nothing that should stop them from sharing the message of Jesus and impacting the people around them.