This past weekend Team Charger Challenge was honored to be
invited back to Camp Sankanac. Camp Sankanac holds a special place in the
hearts of our team. In previous years, all three members of Team Charger
Challenge had the privilege of serving alongside of the Camp Sankanac staff
during their summer camps as a part of the Team Charger camp ministry. Each one
of us holds in our hearts fond memories of Mr. Jan Coudriet, who served God
faithfully as Camp Sankanac’s Director for 29 years. This past year Mr. Jan
passed away. Although Mr. Jan was such an important part of Camp Sankanac, we
knew the impact he had on the lives of his Sankanac family would mean that they
would not miss a beat in continuing the tradition of Camp Sankanac, which has
been founded on the Word of God. Team Charger Challenge looked forward to
continuing in the friendships and relationships that we have formed with the
staff and campers of Camp Sankanac, as well as forming new relationships with
campers during their ALL BOYS Winter Retreat!
As we arrived at the camp on Friday night, we were able to
catch up on life with some old friends as well as begin to form new
relationships. It didn’t take long until we got sucked into games of
Battleship, Chess, card games, etc. After some fun and fellowship, Mr. T.J.
lead the campers and staff in some mixers and icebreakers. After a few rounds
of Birdie-on-a-Perch, Mr. T.J. split the
group into two teams, 1) Peanut Butter and 2) Jelly. Peanut Butter had to
compete against Jelly in a game of extreme tic-tac-toe. Teams had to race
against one another to bring T.J. a random item. For example, the first team to
bring Mr. T.J. a chewed piece of gum got to place and “x” or “o” on the board.
In order to win the round of tic-tac-toe though, the team had to finish a food
challenge. Some food challenges were not too bad, such as first person to eat
an entire apple. But the peanut butter cookies marinated in buffalo sauce was
too much for one camper to handle.
After some mixers, Mr. T.J. shared a challenge for the
night. He spoke out of Ephesians 2:10. So often we believe lies about ourselves
like; “I will never be good enough”, or “God doesn’t really love all of me”, or
“I don’t really matter”, or “I don’t have any or much worth”. Ephesians 2:10
says, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works,
which God prepared beforehand, so that we should walk in them.” This word
“workmanship” literally translates to poetry. If you think about poetry it is
an intimate expression. In other words, we are God’s masterpiece. God does not
make junk! When we believe the lies mentioned before, it is almost like saying
to God that He didn’t know what He was doing when He created us. The campers
and counselors had a time in small groups and to discuss the truth that Mr. T.J.
shared. Many of them shared about the lies they had believed in their own
lives.
After small groups it was time for some dodge ball. After a
few rounds of intense dodge ball, where the counselors whooped up on the
campers (at least that’s how we remember it), it was time for a snack. We
enjoyed some Smores before heading to our cabins for some much needed sleep.
In the morning we woke to a delicious pancake breakfast,
thanks to the ladies who served us all weekend. We spent a little time fellowshipping
in the morning before Mr. Lawrence brought the Word for the morning. Mr. Lawrence
talked about how we like to hide things in our life and only show people the
“good” or “attractive” things in our lives. He compared our lives to icebergs.
Like icebergs we only show people the 10% of things in our lives that are above
the waterline. These are things we want people to see about our lives. But we
hide the other 90% below the waterline because we don’t want them or God to see
them. He spoke from Genesis 3 using the example of Adam and Eve and how they
tried to cover up and hide from God.
Campers and counselors again had a chance to discuss their
thoughts in small groups. They shared some of the things they have been hiding
from God below the waterline in their lives. For some it was sin that needed to
be confessed. For others, it was fears or struggles that they were not
surrendering to God. After small groups, we had some free time. Some stayed
inside and played games. Others went outside for some knockout, street hockey,
football, etc. After free time we enjoyed a nice lunch of hot dogs and warm
chilli.
Once the food settled, the time had come for one of the most
anticipated events of the winter retreat…MUD FOOTBALL! Because it had just
rained, it was the perfect conditions for some mud football. Everyone had a
great time playing football and getting dirty; although I am sure there were
some mothers who weren’t so thrilled when they saw the dirty laundry and muddy
shoes. We were also blessed to have no serious injuries, which is surprising
considering the way Mr. Lawrence was running the football. After we got cleaned
up, it was time for some more football; the playoff game between the Ravens and
the Broncos.
We watched the first half of the game, and then had to pause
for dinner. After a delicious meal, we turned the game back on. What we thought
would only be a 3 hour game turned into a much longer game as the two teams
battled into overtime. The Ravens fans were ecstatic that their team stole a
win in overtime. After some short celebrations, it was time for Mr. T.J. to
bring the Word for the night. Mr. T.J. talked about the importance of
authenticity in community. He shared his own testimony of “if you really knew
me…this is what you would know.” He talked about the need for God to be on the
throne of our hearts. But what often is true of our lives is we replace God’s
throne on our hearts with a couch to make room for other things in our lives.
And often times God actually ends up not even getting a seat on that couch. Our
God is a jealous God, and He will not share His throne with anyone or anything.
Besides, a throne is only meant for one person; it is only meant for a King!
After his message, campers and counselors had time to share
in their own small groups. They had a chance to share their stories of “if you
really knew me….her is what you would know about me.” They shared about their
struggle and fears, their likes and dislikes, their home life, their hearts and
what is really on their “throne”, etc. After small groups we played some more
dodge ball before heading to the cabins.
In the morning we were able to sleep in and fellowship in
the morning. Mr. Flick brought God’s Word for the morning. He spoke out of 1
John 1:5-9, which talks about God as light, and in Him is no darkness. He
referred to the story of Hosea to remind the campers of God’s love for them. He
reminded them that no matter what we do or how many times we are unfaithful,
God would pay ANYHING to have us in His family. In fact, He paid EVERYTHING so
that we may forever be in communion with Him. With this in mind, we should want
to walk in the light! We should not want to try to hide anything in darkness.
it is the light that heals; it is the light that heals. In the light all things
are made new, all things are made righteous.
Campers and counselors again had a time to share about the
things they were hiding in the darkness. With a new found joy in just how great
God’s love in for them, campers were able to share some deep issues that they
had been keeping in the dark. We ended our time at Camp Sankanac with a huge
breakfast buffet, cleaning up the camp, and playing some games until parents
came to pick up the campers. We were blessed to be able to be a part of the
winter retreat. We know that God will continue to bless Camp Sankanac as they
journey into a new season under new leadership. We also pray for the campers
and counselors as they continue to be transparent in their lives and surrender
to what God can do in and through them.
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