Its is funny how we can plan and plan, think through all the details and try to makes sure all bases are covered when we set out on different adventures – but when God wants to be in control things usually change.
The first day of the camp went as planned (the only day that did) we drove 8 hours south, stayed with some lovely people from a church, had some fellowship and then rested before driving the rest of the 9 hours the next day. The next morning we wake up to rain and a flat tire, we get everything sorted and then leave couple hours late. The plan was to arrive in Toowoomba at around 4 and then go to the campsite, which was about an hour outside of the city, where we would be staying for three nights. We got into the city at around 6:30 only to find that one of the two vans had an engine problem. We just so happened to stop in front of a house that had a trailer parked in front (we needed the tools for our trailer) and the elderly couple were more then happy to help us. Since we had one working van we decided to drive some of the kids and leaders so that they could start setting up camp and then come back and get the rest and fix the van in the morning. The first van takes off, so some of the kids and I stayed at the elderly couples house until the van came back for us which should have only been an hour… three house later the van comes back but only because they couldn't find the campsite. Don't worry God stepped in, it just so happened that one of the leaders new an old YWAMer that lived a few blocks away with a backyard big enough for all of us to camp out! We are able to set up camp at around 12am in the rain (and its cold in the south of Australia). The next day we hang out at this house while some of the leaders try and get the van fixed, we had fun hanging out with the kids and just getting to know them better. The hand of God was still with us because when the van was taken in to the shop a guy looks at it and says “ I see what the problem was but nothing is wrong with it now – it’s totally fine.” The night before we all prayed that the van would be “healed” and it WAS! How cool is that?! And it worked 100% for the rest of the week with not a single problem.
Finally we arrive at a very sketchy campsite; never the less we set up camp and God started to move. Because this camp was apart of our outreach all the students had a night of teaching, we based our teaching around the book of Mark and who Jesus is and can be. The whole time we were at the camp God was just moving, in relationships, conversations, and even by what we were doing. We were able to help with some flood relief and clean up, which was cool because the book of Mark shows Jesus as a servant of man, so it was nice to be able to serve those in need around us. I don't even know how to describe how much God did, I mean he just spoke life and truth into these kids lives. He revealed his character and who he wanted to be in their lives, and the amazing part is that the kids were SO hungry for it – they wanted God is such a real and raw way! Man so cool! Anyways we just continued on and encouraged the kids as much as we could and talked about God left right and centre!
On Friday we packed up and made our way back into the city to attend a Christian music festival Easterfest! A heap of big Christian bands were there along with lots of smaller ones, so there was music all day long and different tents selling clothes, food, and also different organizations. Just to be able to hang out with the kids in this amazing Christian environment was a huge blessing – it was just SO fun!!!! We could go to different bands and worship God and jump around not caring what anyone might think – and even though I people thought I was 16 I still had the time of my life :) Saturday we got up earlier (so that we could take in as much as possible) the day started out great, bands, hanging out, and lots of laughs! After dinner we all made our way down to the main stage because Switchfoot was playing so we had to get the best spot! As we are dancing to the opening bands its starts to rain – not a huge deal… Until it started to downpour! Not wanting to give up hope that the rain would stop and the show would go on we held our ground soaking wet, along with the other few hundred people! Sad to say the rain didn't stop, with in half an hour the water was up to our ankles and it wasn't getting any lighter. So we went back to our tents only to find our tents flooded (not as bad as some people where there looked to be rivers running through and around some tents). Where the bands were playing the water was up to the middle of my shins, so needless to say most bands and people were packing up for the night – hoping for something better in the morning. Since most of the tents were flooded we also decided to pack to and head out, it was sad but I think the best choice. We were able to stay and one the leaders parents house for a night and then we made all the way back to Townsville safe and sound!
I loved this camp! Seeing youth grab a hold of who God is and being so hungry for him brings me so much refreshment. God is good and he wants to show himself to us in ways that we don't plan.
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