You're a Star

in order from left to right: Olivia Anderson, Jonell Campbell, Alanis Espinosa. 

We are all from cabin three at Jam Camp and are enjoying every single moment!!!! Today as JamCampers 2012 we made history by having our very first bonfire.

It was like a hot sauna but it was fun. We have learned that no matter where you are from, we are all unified in God. He is the one who brings us all together from all around the world. It's only the second day of camp and we have learned so much and made many new and strong relationships with one another. That's what camp does and we are forever grateful for that. During the starlight devotion we all gathered together under the stars learning about how small and yet significant we are to God. Can you guys just imagine how big the universe may be but yet still God took the time to create us individually in His own image. Do you still wonder if you're special? Still wondering? Well you are.  

camp is the best

This is my first time & I LOVE IT!

Alexis

and this is my first time counseling and i loooove it!!!!!!!

Rachel

cabin cleanliness

(insert southern accent here) Hey Ya'll!!

So today is day 2 of JamCamp 2012, home of the "Swamp Olympics", you should see our banner it's pretty awesome -per Jeff picture coming in a soon-to-be post ;). Right now out on the field now all manner of games are underway, so i've chosen now to do the sneakiness called cabin judging muhahaha ;). i must say initially i was having kittens about judging the girls cabins, it really wasn't so bad. For the most part the girls did a great job of putting their stuff away and cleaning the floors. i do confess some of them did weasel their way into my heart by being creative in how the tidied their spaces and used what was available to em to give the best impression. What i did learn (actually learning as i write :), is that cabin cleanliness really is a team sport. It's about being unified as one, working as a unit the same goal in mind; doing as the scriptures say "aiming to show each other as perfect". If you don't do your part and don't look out for your cabin mates then its quite likely that something won't be done or someone will miss something and for that your cabin will lose points. So in effect cabin cleanliness is not about you. Its about all of you. I guess that's a lesson for us all, we should carry our own loads, but we must also carry each others burdens. 

- Dion

JamCamp is on!!!

Well, all the Jamaican campers are here and this picture is the beginning of everyone doing the Cupid Shuffle spontaneously after dinner and dodge ball, of course. We are so glad to be here.

We had a super service with Montego Bay Christian Church and then they made us lunch as we hung out at the beach.  We then took a bus three hours to the camp; up and down some little winding roads.  Wahoo! What an adventure.  We got here about 5pm Sunday and had some great time hanging, training, and getting to know each other (the Jamaican counselors were with us).  There was a miscommunication and so we had no dinner--we thought the staff here was going to have dinner for us--and didn't know how to get any because there was no transportation; Mark & Diedre and the rest of the Jamaican volunteers were not to arrive until later that evening.  So proud of the kids, not once did they complain or get antsy about how they were going to eat. We just kept saying we may have a fast for camp. After the Jamaicans arrived, four people (two of which were Tim & Lacy) drove to the nearest town (back down the windy roads) to a KFC and got us some food.  We ate around 10pm.  Amen!  I think the small KFC was taken back when we ordered food for 40 people. We cleaned them out!

The Jamaican campers arrived today around 11:30AM, and it has been electrifying ever since.  So great to see them again.  Many new faces this year as there are 35 more kids than last year.  Wow!  The word is spreading.  Mark just spoke after showing us a clip from Facing the Giants--the scene called the Death Crawl where the football player crawls 100 yards carrying another player on his back; he challenged us to know that with God we can do more than we can imagine.  He said who would have imagined there would be a camp here and now look: we have people from Brazil here and we've gone to Barbados and South Africa!  He used the word "we"…wow, he really gets that we are worldwide family!  How cool!

Everyone is safe and happy!  Continue the prayers!

Much love, Jeff

Encouragement Dates...Free Ocean on Me

We are finally here!! Our flight was awesome since we didn't have to stop in Miami first! We aren't in our usual hotel, but we love it here! We are right on the beach! And the water is so clear (and salty) All the locals think we are crazy, which is probably true! We watched the beautiful sunset and we are eating right on the beach! It's been like a mini vacation!! Tomorrow camp starts and we are so excited!! It's weird because we have had the amazing opportunity to watch this amazing dream take off and now this is the last year , so it will be bittersweet but an amazing last year here in Jamaica Mon. -Kati and McCall

Eating on Saturday

Eating at the twisted kilt with a awesome view of the sunset. :D its going to be great -Alex P. from Athens

BimCamp

Man BimCamp was amazing!! It really will change your life and change the kids life. The kids are always so happy to see you and they love to play with you and just have fun. You will not want to leave and plus it just gives you a chance to meet new people and learn about different people and how they live. So my advice is just go and see how much fun you can have. 

-Anthony Hansen 

I Am A Bajan... I Am A Bajan

I am still pumped from last night's 2 hour dance party Haha. I learned so much more than I ever thought I would. Last year was fun, but this year was so much better. Let's just say that the Bajans KNOW how to have fun. I learned how to speak like a Bajan and I think its pretty much unanimous to everyone in Barbados that I am officially fluent... I'm pretty much a pure bred Bajan. It was so great to see everyone again and to see how the camp last year had such a big impact on the kids. I love my Bajans and will miss them so much but I am so excited to be going home. I can't wait to see ny mommy and daddy. Ducessss!!!!! (:

--Ali Lynn

BimCamp

Man BimCamp was amazing!! It really will change your life and change the kids life. The kids are always so happy to see you and they love to play with you and just have fun. You will not want to leave and plus it just gives you a chance to meet new people and learn about different people and how they live. So my advice is just go and see how much fun you can have. -Anthony Hansen

Tommy's Blog

We are all sitting in the Barbados airport waiting to board the plane!!! The week at BimCamp was amazing, we all had an amazing time. I realized how important Swamp was to me, and how it has helped me evolve as a teen disciple. I also really enjoyed seeing everyone connect and enjoy being together as a family, so to speak. The Swamp always leaves everyone pumped, and this time I am really excited to leave the little world we created and bring it to school, and the rest of the world. -Tommy Perkins (and Kalyn and Adam and Jordan and Jordan and Austin and most of Ashlyn and David's hand)

Bimcamp

Man BimCamp was amazing!! It really will change your life and change the kids life. The kids are always so happy to see you and they love to play with you and just have fun. You will not want to leave and plus it just gives you a chance to meet new people and learn about different people and how they live. So my advice is just go and see how much fun you can have. 

-Anthony Hansen 

Tommy's Blog

We are all sitting in the Barbados airport waiting to board the plane!!! The week at BimCamp was amazing, we all had an amazing time. I realized how important Swamp was to me, and how it has helped me evolve as a teen disciple. I also really enjoyed seeing everyone connect and enjoy being together as a family, so to speak. The Swamp always leaves  everyone pumped, and this time I am really excited to leave the little world we created and bring it to school, and the rest of the world. 

-Tommy Perkins (and Kalyn and Adam and Jordan and Jordan and Austin and most of Ashlyn and David's hand)

Getting Crazy at Camp

we went to the field and played flamingo plus played dizzy bat and were so worn out from it but u just can't get enough of camp. also we had AMAZING chicken tonight it was so good and we still want more! its our first time seeing death ball and its crazy !!!!!!!!!!!!! we had a dance party last night and were praying for another one. ERS is the most famous and dangerous card game we have ever played. well were about to have a devo and then we are ready for bed.

Khadijah, Camille, Jill

Challenges are Fun! We won!

When we do challenges the most fun thing is dodge ball; the consequences are funny like love letters.  The hardest part is when you face your counselors.  Today we had a dodge ball challenge against girls 1 and we won!  Best out of three, two in a row.  The girls have to make us, boys 1, friendship bracelets.

Joshua, Alex, Jonathan

FREE TIME!!

Everybody is finally here and we are already having a blast! I'm so glad to see everyone from last year. i hope this week will be double the fun as the last.

Jill W. (on right in blue shorts)

Bridgetown Church of Christ (Cont.)

Also, I can't believe I forgot to mention the highlight of our visit!  The energy in the church was so high that everyone got out of their seats, started dancing, and started a Congo line while singing Praises Heard Around The World! A moment I will never forget.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless Phone

Bridgetown Church of Christ

I command my hands to praise the Lord! A song we just learned worshipping at the Bridegetown Church of Christ.

Wow! What an incredible service. I am so encouraged by the love of these Bajans. They were so friendly and excited for Bim Camp. It was awesome to see familiar faces and stand together as one praising God.

The beach was the perfect way to rest up for camp. I'm realizing now how much I'll need it because the kids are so stoked to come to camp and have a blast. It's great to see them already warming up to us and acting crazy. That song we learned has hand motions and causes you to make a fool of yourself, but it was awesome because that's perfect for camp.

We're on our way to lunch now to eat at the lady who cooked for us last year.

I can't wait to start counselor training later today and for the kids to shop up tomorrow, even if it means waking up at 6 for the kids who's parents are dropping them off before work- that part I'm not so excited for, but for these kids it's so worth it!

Here's to incredible Bajan food and a great start to the day!

-Taylor


Sent from my Verizon Wireless Phone

Fun in the Sun

The fun has arrived! That's a Tarzan quote. Anyway, we are here in Barbados! Woohoo! Yesterday was so fun, as we spent the day on the beach, in the pool, and dancing the night away. This morning before we loaded up for church, which is where we are on our way to right now, we talked about how we want to see God work this week. I said I want to see him work through the conversations I have with my campers, since I'll have older girls. I am so excited to see people I met last year, and to meet new people! I can't wait to worship the Lord this morning with my Bajan brothers and sisters. Over and out!
-Samantha Rorabaugh

Sunny Day in Paridise

It is so pretty here at the hotel. Were able to eat breakfast right next to the beach! This is the clearest water I've ever seen! The sound of the waves is so relaxing and the breeze is just right :) If you get a pair of goggles and swim down in the water its like watching a hd tv! It's nice to have a good day of relaxing before an awesome week!  Jessica W.

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Ahhhhh, My Bed

Ok. I promise more than just me will be blogging; I just want everyone to know we made it safe. Overall an uneventful flight...just like I like them. Ha ha

It's about 80 degrees and VERY humid. We had a cool surprise: as we walked outside the Barbados airport a group of campers and their families greeted us with signs and cheers. It was so good to see them!!  I can't believe it has been a year already.  Their smiles and hugs fired us up!

Tomorrow we will have a day at the hotel with the most amazing water and a beach lime in the afternoon...that's a party on the beach which will be catered. The Bajan counselors and volunteers will join us so a good time to get to know each over and hang. Well, my bed is calling me. Until tomorrow, Jeff
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Waiting :(

Standing and waiting for the plane is Sooooo hard!! But knowing that were gonna be in Barbados is making it worth the wait :)  Jessica
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The plane. The plane.

At the gate!  Wahoo, we are all scrambling to get something to eat as security took a little longer than expected. I like our team and can't wait to watch how they draw closer together over the next few days.  Great to see many of the parents earlier today and even got to meet Jordan Jones' grandmother who drove all the way from Birmingham, Alabama to see him off. Now that is just like a grandmother! If you don't feel special after that check your pulse! Keep up the prayers!  Jeff

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Ready. Set. Go…Again!

Well, it's been a little more than six months since our last blog and much has happened.  We are one day away from leaving for our 2nd trip to Barbados and a week away from our 3rd trip to Jamaica.   All the planning has been done, the bags are packed, and we are ready to be on a plane.  I know the team is ready too!  And so are the Bajans and Jamaican campers…the Facebook chatter is at a fever pitch.  Please continue your prayers for a safe and productive journey and for many hearts to be moved and changed.

Had a great time at the Summit in San Antonio.  Jennifer and I got to meet with leaders from Brazil and as a result Brazil  will be Swamp Corps' next destination in 2013.  In fact, they are sending two people to Jamaica to see camp and how it works.  Amazing!  We also met for breakfast with Dr. Ashok from Chennai, India ( he leads the HOPE work there and the leader of the Chennai church) and there at breakfast Skyped with their camp director.  We plan to go there in 2014…they hope to send their directors to The Swamp in 2013 for a couple of weeks.  We were also invited to a gathering of people from the Far East during which we met with some leaders of a church in Cambodia; after a lengthy Q&A/discussion session, they asked when we could come there!  2015!  God is gracious and it seems there is a need out there for kids to have a safe place like The Swamp to learn and grow.

Pray for wisdom and resources as we watch this unfold.

Our my love, Jeff

"Making Memories. Creating Character."