Week 1 came and went so fast. Our family was very sick. Beth and Lilah both were out for 3-4 days with bad fevers and body aches. Hanna was a rock star and took charge of bed time with Jeremiah, and Evelyn kept trucking on.
I first noticed my voice was abandoning me on Sunday last week. Week 1 day 1 of camp. By Tuesday I couldn’t talk without significant strain in my voice and my cough was the most painful I have ever experienced in my lifetime.
With all the sickness going around, there was only one venue I was scheduled to speak at that I wasn’t able to attend. Thankfully, I’ll have another opportunity to share there this coming Wednesday.
Other than that, the week went largely as planned.
Sunday evenings, I spend time with youth pastors as they arrive at camp, getting to know them and hearing about what God is doing in their ministries. Every Monday, I speak at the Hume Teaching Series, which this year features respected speakers like Sean McDowell.
Tuesdays are my busiest day. Early in the morning, I share with all of the Ponderosa (High School) pastors and leaders. Later that day, I speak from the main stage during an extended worship gathering with the high school students. Throughout the week, I also spend time at the Generation Echo booth during most lunch and dinner hours, connecting with students, leaders, and pastors.
Tuesday evening, I help serve at a special staff dinner on the lawn. Wednesday and Thursday, I’ll be leading missions seminars for the highschoolers before lunch. Then on Thursday evening, I have dinner with youth pastors, which is one of the key opportunities I have each week to invite churches into partnership with Generation Echo.
The one event I missed during Week 1 was the Wednesday night service for the summer staff. I’ll have the opportunity to share there this week instead, and I’m looking forward to it.
My sickness didn’t stop me from sharing about missions from the main stage. I also remained available during free time and meals to have dozens of conversations with individuals about their role in God’s Global Story. I wish I could say that it didn’t impact the conversations, but my voice and sickness definitely kept me from engaging at the level I wanted to.
Towards the end of the week someone asked me, “you get anyone wanting to go?” I was caught off guard with that question. It’s not a bad question, but it’s not the right one. I am not expecting someone to be ready to go now. If someone was, I could help them, but honestly, I’m not at Hume for the person that is ready to go tomorrow. I am here for the person that doesn’t know if they want to go or not. I am here for the person who has never thought about it until this week at camp.
My job here is the first steps of a marathon.
And I had 4 conversations with people who are considering beginning the race. Two 20-something kids pursuing Jesus, and wanting to follow His will for their lives. And two people older than their 40’s, interested in possibly taking the step into missions.
There were plenty of other conversations with kids who want to know what they can do now. Lots of conversations at my booth about praying for the nations.
I guess to answer the guy’s question, “no.” No one is ready to go now.
But God is doing something cool here. And he is stirring in the hearts of people here. Would you keep praying for us as we continue to serve here in this amazing place?
