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.

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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


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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."