What a roller coaster! Emotions have been all over the place over the last few days as the three year journey of Swamp Corps came to an end yesterday. I may have a cried a few times on Sunday and Monday (Understatement), but I'm extremely encouraged by the way that the South Africans honored Jeff and Jen and just made all of us feel so appreciated.
Now, Tuesday, we are more than 24 hours past the departure of over 40 Americans and the 12 of us who stayed behind are no longer part of Swamp Camp in South Africa but are simply volunteer counselors at Youth Camp 2014. It is so cool to be a part of something run by the African team now and to see the way they are fighting to do this thing on their own. Last week, we were all told to take more of the back seat and not let ourselves be the leaders (which was hard at times!!) and it is cool to see how they really took that and are running with it.
This is their camp now. Self-sufficient. Their culture, their leaders, their Camp. Wow. It's hard for me to believe that the American team has finished its chapter in the growth of this camp, but I'm sure it would be a lie to say that we are done with our connection to it. This week, I'm going to leave it all on the table since I have no idea when I will return but I can't shake the feeling that I'm not finished with my adventures here.
Please keep the Youth Camp team in your prayers! The Mugochis are leading like champions and the counselors have all pushed past sleep deprivation by prayers and the desire to give these kids just as much of a great experience as those who left yesterday.
Much love to all of you back home!
Jacob
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