A New Drug and It's Powerful Uses Discovered

I have come to a conclusion. Working for God is addictive. It is a drug that has the capability to sustain a high and need never create a low. It is a drug with no side-effects and leaves you feeling more alive then before you 'took' it.

I had just gotten back from just over 6 weeks of holidays, spent galavanting over NSW with friends and family. A most enjoyable time. I returned home just two days before Counsellor Training began for Do and Dare Youth Bible Camp, just in time to un-pack, wash, and re-pack.
Wednesday morning we packed the car and Dave, Daniele, Ely and I headed south. About an hour's drive brought us to Camp Obadiah. As we drove between the twin mounds that mark the entrance, and crept along the causeway and up the hill to the main venue, Dave and I gazed excitedly out the window, memories flooding my mind, while Ely and Daniele took in the first glimps of a new adventure. We were met by Mr and Mrs Fox, the leaders of Do and Dare Ministries. We ate lunch with them and then unpack the car and got ourselves sorted in between greeting old friends and making new ones.
During the next few days, our schedule was chokka as we were trained and equipped to serve Christ in the coming week. In between our business we found time to build friendships and prepare ourselves for the task ahead.

Sunday, the 6th of January, 2013. We woke in our rooms with a flutter in our hearts. "Today's the day." We whispered to each other. "Today's the day."
The morning seemed to fly by and all too soon, yet not soon enough, 2pm arrived and with it, a flood of faces. Some little and sunshiny, some stubborn and stoney, but all loveable and all belonging to a child of God.
Slooooowly the moments dragged past as the children lined up and filed through the long check-in process. Standing in unitized* pairs near the end of the line, us counsellors pasted smiles on our faces and tried the quell the nervousness inside. One by one, our little gems were presented to us and one by one we whisked them off to put their belongings into our room and get acquainted with them and also introduce them a little to camp.
When finally we were all present, we gathered outside on the lawn and took part in the ice-breakers. My little Darlings (11- 12yrs old) seemed to be separated into duos. All of them knew at least one other except for two girls who had never been to camp before but they both knew me so I wasn't too worried about anything yet. My co-counsellor Ely and I were on the lookout for who might need special attention to help them get settled into camp but they all seemed pretty happy.
After tea that night the whole camp gathered for campfire.
'Campfire' is a very special time at Do and Dare. It is the time when we all gather together and finish the day with mail call, 'lost property', and singing, prayer and then a sermon. It is a special time for the counsellors too. It is the time when we slip away, leaving the campers under the supervision of staff, and meet together with our wonderful head counsellor who is like a pillar of strength to us. We would all gather together and share our burdens and blessings and then lift each other to our Strength and Stay in heaven.

The week at camp really does fly past. This year it flew past in a flurry of miracles and blessings. There were trials for sure - nearly all of the girl counsellors fell sick at one time or another during camp and their co-counsellor had to step in and take the whole weight of the yoke. But never once was there a word of complaint or discontentment.

All too soon it was time to say goodbye. The tears that flow on Saturday night are ones of mixed joy and sorrow. Saturday night is testimony time and it is SOOO rewarding to hear the campers testify of how the Lord has blessed during their time at camp and of the new resolutions they have made and are genuinely going to try, with God's help, to keep. Tears of joy dim the eyes of counsellors and staff and the Holy Spirit hovers around all present, whispering encouragement and challenge in the ears that are open to it's influence.

Then they were gone. As quickly as they came. They were gone and the counsellors that could remain behind could sit down and debrief on the week. How exhilarating it was to hear of miracles and blessings that had been happening in other parts of the camp ground! How exciting to trace God's finger through the days and see where He had touched hearts and souls! How thrilling to discover that the positive feedback outweighed by FAR any negative or suggestions on how things could be done better!

And this is when I made my conclusion. During the weeks that I spent with friends, even though some of it was dedicated to ministry purposes, nothing, nothing, NOTHING came close to being compared to the short week that I spent letting God work through my life to mould the lives of the young people that He has chosen for Himself.

Living a life in His service is ADDICTIVE!

*I'm allowed to make up words - it's my blog!