Probably the weirdest pot luck I have ever eaten at. We mixed Chinese Rice, Pancakes, Won Tons, Cookies, and French fries. It actually wasn´t that bad. 

The week of Rest has finally come

Well, there were no crying campers, screaming counselors, green meat to eat, nasty mosquitos biting my ankles, game leaders shouting out orders, or swarms of little kids playing "Let´s drown the skinny kid!" I sort of missed it all (except the mosquitos).
During this week I was able to relax alittle on the beach, prepare my sermon and preach on Sunday, give a challenge on Thursday night for our new church plant, played soccer, get an ear infection, direct a Bible Club and our College and Career group, and read throught the book of Job. Over all, it was a good week, alot slower than camps, but good.
This coming week I will be preparing for our two week trip to Iquitos in the Amazon jungle. We will be preaching, putting on Bible Clubs, witnessing, and other stuff. Should be interesting. (I am going to prepare myself by watching the movie Anaconda.)

Part of our College and Career Photo Scavenger Hunt. This was my group 

Preaching my final message as "Pastor of Musa Baptist Church." I really laid it on them. 

I carried this around for several weeks at camp, taking solace in the fact that when things get really tough, I can eat my Snickers.

So what are you preaching on?

Well, thank you for asking. Each Sunday morning for the month of February I have brought a challenge for the Baptist church of Musa. We started on Feb. 6 with James 1:22-25, Put the Word to Practice. This was a encouragement and challenge to me to not just prepare lessons and write up nice outlines, but actually live what God is teaching me. Last week, Feb. 13, we looked at James 3:1-12, Watch what you Say. This came after an interesting week at Kid´s Camp, when I had plenty of opportunities to practice guarding my tongue. Whenever I think I have something down, God has to show me again how far I really have to go. Today, Feb. 20, we jumped back to James 1, and hit verses 19-21, Quick to Hear, Slow to Speak, Slow to get Angry. Another fitting passage to meditate on during Jr. High Camp week. God is continually working on my speedy judgements and lacking listening abilities. Over all, the Holy Spirit has been using James to pound simple truths into my everyday life, and I am extremely grateful that He hasn´t finished with me yet.

Me and my cabin at Jr. High Camp 

Me all dressed up to direct the banquet. Like the flower? 

Jr. High Camp- Mission accomplished

Well, the final week of camp has expired, and I am still kicking. A miracle in and of itself, that is for sure! We had a great week at camp and my guys were exceptionally good. That helps alot. There were about 85 campers in all, and nine of the guys were in my cabin. We had classes, played games, swam alot, ate even more, listened to sermons, sang songs, and chanted like crazy men. It was swell. The theme for this week was "Jesus, Friend of the Sinner" and was a great time to reflect on the best Friend I have, Jesus Christ. The week passed with minor injuries, and only one trip to the hospital for one of the guys in my cabin, and he is fine now. Once again it proves true that it is not a really good game until someone gets hurt.

Our team, the Zealots 

One More Week of Camp!

I am pretty excited about our final week of camp. For one because it is the FINAL week of camp, and another reason because it is camp. This week I am just planning on being a counselor, so I should have some more time to think. This past month of camps has been a challenge and a great learning experience. I wouldn´t trade it for anything. Yet, it has been a very draining month. Please pray that I will stay healthy, and learn alot this week!

Seth the Jungle Gym

Our Cabin. I liked to call them - The James 1:2-4 group.

Kids Camp- wow

Let me tell you, I know God is still working on me! After this week, I can see that I have a long way to go.
We had a really good week at kids camp and several of the campers came to know Christ as their Savior.
Some of my resposibilities were teacher, song leader, assistent couselor, life guard, and fire extinguisher (I yelled at all the kids when they kept trying to start Caleb on fire). It wasn´t that bad, but we had some peaches in our group! The problem was, they all were the exact same as I was when I was their age. Out of the 7 of the guys, 5 of them were Pastors kids! (I would just like to apologize to all my couselors that I had growing up.) We did have a good time together.
Over all I was able to learn a ton, practice my spanish, and have a great time.

Another of the animals I have added to my collection. Caught this one at camp. 

Another picture of the Fam. 

Commonly asked questions and their trite responses

Q. When are you coming home?
A. The plan is to fly back to Cleveland on May 1.

Q. What is on your schedule right now?
A. Kids camp from Monday, Feb. 7 until Saturday, Feb. 12, in which I am a counselor, teacher, and a bunch of other stuff. Leading a kids club on Saturday afternoons and teaching for our college and career age group that meets on Saturday evenings. Each Sunday in February I am preaching for the morning service and as of this morning am in charge of the Pastoral duties of our church as Pastor Evelio has to take a month of vacation by law.

Q. What food do you miss the most?
A. Big, juicy hamburgers and frozen pizza

Q. Is it hot there?
A. Yes

Q. Are you gaining weight?
A. Obviously you missed the update about the parasites

Q. Are you pretty good in Spanish?
A. I can say, "Two Big Mac´s and a fry, please."

Water game at Kids club

Flower at camp

Survived Missionary Camp!

I was alittle nervous after the heated game of Mafia that we played on Friday night if I was actually going to make it back. But despite numerous threats from Mrs. Carlton, I did survive and arrived home around noon on Saturday.

I had a great time of fellowship and learning with the Baptist Mid Missionaries to Perú. It was a great experience to see this group of servants together and soak in some of their knowledge and heart for God.

The Arriba group had the opportunity to teach the missionary children, and I was in charge of the teen group. I had a great time sharing with them how God has been working in my life, and guiding my decision making. I pray that they too will seek to know Him first and foremost.

Several of the missionary kids that we worked with this week 

BMM missionaries to Perú