Summer 2007
For all practical purposes, my summer vacation began when I left Dr. Bodle's American Revolution class after having finished my essays. That's the annoying part about being a history major, the professors want to know what you know so they lean heavily on essays. After I left his class, I only had to work on my field report from my pre-student teaching placement before the semester would be completely done.
I spent a lot of time looking for a job. I probably submitted nearly a dozen applications to various jobs that with my foot condition prohibiting long term standing, I would be able to do. I made the mistake of showcasing my IUP education while admitting that I hadn't graduated yet. When I did get an interview, and they found out from that statement that I was just looking for a summer job rather than wanting to start my career there, it effectively ruined my chances of being hired. Having been given no other job offers, I reluctantly agreed to return to Camp Orenda as a 4th year counselor.
Back in May, I assisted my mom with the primary election. I used the money to purchase a portable DVD player to use while on brick duty at the camp. Brick duty means that when we go on break at 9pm after having put our camper to bed(we begin our day at 7am), we are ordinarily free to roam about the campground until we see fit to go to bed ourselves. Those on brick duty must remain outside the sleeping lodges from 9pm-12am in case any of the campers would wake up needing assistance. It's a very boring job to do alone. Facing that possibility, I decided that I'd watch DVDs on the player if necessary. I also bought a pair of roller blades hoping to go skating sometime this summer. I spent most of May playing Medieval Part II on my brother's computer.
Right before I left for Camp Orenda, OHCA was having its end of the year program. Their high school teacher, Adam Miller, worked with his students to construct a life size model of the Tabernacle. Although appearing drab on the outside, his students had painted cherubim on the side walls and had constructed models of tin foil and other materials to represent the furnishings. They had a small curtain between the holy place and the holy of holies. They had some tissue paper inside there to symbolize His Shekinah light. On the outside of the tent they had posts surrounding the "Tabernacle", each post having written on it one of the Tribal names of Israel. In the middle was a life size cross with Judah written on it to represent Jesus' lineage. Between that Saturday and Sunday, people entering it could actually feel the presence of God inside there, especially in the holy of holies portion of it. I'm sure that Adam started a tradition with this project:).
OHCA has a small congregation. I'd estimate maybe 30 people, mostly elderly and parents roughly my age with small children. I feel so out of place there, being neither elderly nor a parent, but have remained because I believe that God is teaching me how to run a church. Perhaps after camp I'll be able to work with Ellie (one of the young moms there) to begin a young adults fellowship group.
Then began Camp Orenda 2007. We have probably close to 15 counselor split pretty evenly between veterans and newbies. I was feeling a little bit bitter about being at the camp because to me it meant that I had failed to land a job elsewhere. However, it became evident to me during the first week why I had been forced to return.
My colleague, who I'll call Tim, had made several mistakes in times past that had messed up his life. He's approaching that rock bottom part that people sometimes have to descend to before all that they can do is look up to God. I've been encouraging him to find a Bible believing church after camp is over and to get involved with a college age fellowship group. He's an agnostic because while he thinks there may be a God, he doesn't understand why a loving God could be so cruel to him. Since I'm merely planting seeds gently rather than 'Bible thumping', he has been willing to learn a few biblical principles about life. God has provided him other counselors as well who aren't necessarily Christians but are able to better advise him about relationship issues than I am. Please pray for him to eventually come to know Christ if you read this.
First session at camp was pretty easy. We had 19 campers and most of them could take care of themselves pretty well. Second session was much more difficult with 28 campers. Mine was nonambulatory. Had he been anymore dependent, he would have required a feeding tube. Fortunately, he was light weight so I could do some things for him without needing help. They don't pay me enough to lift up too much and hurt my back. Anyway, I ended up working as a threesome or with one other guy to do much of the personal care. They would lift the guys, and I would do the diaper changing. Fun, fun *sarcastically*.
View Camp Photos
During the dinner/dance, we paused for a moment and put on a play. My friend, Christy, is now a breast cancer survivor and we did a play inpromptu to honor her high spirits in overcoming it. I have been teaching her biblical principles and have been a friend to her, enabling her to dwell more on life than on her cancer. I'm glad that I'm only one part of a support system of friends that she has for encouraging her through this trial. Glory to God for making her a stronger person through this experience.
We were somewhat lucky third session. Twenty eight campers had signed up. I think only 24 actually showed up. It was a strange experience though. Never before have we had half of the camper roster be filled with unknown guests nor have we ever had more a day camper whose folks stayed at camp the whole day. We had our dinner/dance celebration that is typically the grand finale for the campers before they return home the following day on the third day instead of the sixth. On the 4th of July, we went to the Demolition Derby at the Indiana Fair grounds, sponsored by the Lions Club. Later that day, we attended a concert there. The events concluded with a nice fire works display.
Camp Orenda ended on July 5. On July 6, my parents and I went to Michigan to visit my Uncle Mark, Aunt Bernie, and my cousin Adam for the first time at their residence. I was pleased to see how well Adam and I get along. We would probably be good friends if we lived closer. I spent about half of my time there with Mark and Bernie, the other half with Adam and his friend, Alan. While in MI, we visited the Henry Ford Museum with Mark. I'll post photos of that. Adam, Alan and I planned to go ice skating. When that plan failed, we decided to go bowling instead. From the bowling alley, we went to visit their friend, Jen. I was about as relaxed and crazy as I allow myself to get. Adam and I came back to Adam's house in the wee hours of the morning. Adam and I discussed religion and politics a lot, as well as other things more common for college students. Minds failing and eyesight becoming blurry, we went to bed. The following day, my family went home.
See My Pictures from MI.
More details will come as the summer progresses.
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