Today is July 5, 2011.

It’s nearly impossible to believe that the first six weeks of my second summer directing at Youthfront Camp South are over. The staff here are wonderful people. We found ourselves feeling like we had known each other for years after a few short days together. After two weeks of orientation, we welcomed nearly 700 young people into this environment. I often tell people that the most rewarding part of my job is to know that somehow the work I do gets transformed and translated into something spiritually significant for those people. Somehow, kids come here and are awakened, renewed, and welcomed into a meaningful relationship with God because of the life and work of Jesus. Somehow I get to be a part of it. 

We are now on hiatus. While we try hard to practice sustainable working rhythms here at camp, the work we do is exhausting. It’s an incredible gift to have some down time in the middle of the summer. About 7 of the staff have chosen to hang back here at camp and join in some practices together. Over the next few days, we’ll be praying together regularly (morning, midday, evening), preparing meals, working on some stone masonry and a few small projects, and reading and discussing a book. Our rhythm is simple:

• Wake Up
• Pray
• Eat
• Work
• Pray
• Eat
• Read / Rest
• Eat
• Discuss
• Pray
• Sleep

Following this week we will welcome the Hispanic youth of Kansas City for our Hispanic week, and then some true youngsters (3-5 graders). Then we have two high school weeks and our cabin leaders head home. We have yet another week after that where a group of Eastern Orthodox churches rent our space and have camp here, and then we host any and all full-time youth workers to come and enjoy camp with their families. Following that my church (Jacob’s Well) comes for our annual Pilgrimage and then I’m home free. 

This summer has been different than last. I have been much more tired. Worn down. I don’t think it’s because I’m a year older and thus a year more fatigued. There are simply new challenges, new burdens to bear, new situations to navigate, both in, and outside of camp, that leave me feeling very exhausted. I thank God for this week of rest in community, and I cling to the words of Jesus in Matthew 11:

²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Jessica is working hard too—every Saturday and Sunday night—so that we can be together at camp each week. Last night was our 4 year dating anniversary. It’s funny, because we both realize that married people do not really celebrate their dating anniversaries, but we like to remember, nonetheless. It’s hard enough to believe it will be two years in November, yet hard to believe it’s only been 4 that we’ve been together. She is the love of my life and it feels like—as my mom pointed out on facebook—that we have always been together. Touche mum!