Coming Soon: Summer 2012!

ELC HERE WE COME! (Last night, it snowed! :-)

Our summer is right around the corner! Hanley moved up to camp May 11, and Katlyn will be back and forth until May 25, her LAST DAY of teaching for the foreseeable future. After that, we'll be at camp permanently.

As we've been preparing for Crew 2012, we've been reminded of how essential a strong staff is for a successful summer. Last year, due to so many returning Crew counselors, we'd already had our entire staff hired by the beginning of April. This year, however, has been a trusting game; we're still praying for two guy counselors.

Our campers' Biblestudy: Colossians!

And yet, even in the midst of this anticipation, we've seen how wonderfully the Lord has already provided in the amazing people He's called to the Crew program! Two counselors from last year, Ben and Marissa, will return to serve as our P.C.s (Program Coaches). And although all new to Crew as counselors, we have FIVE former Crew campers, as well as several former Rez counselors. We've been so thankful and impressed by the way ALL of our new staff have a desire to serve the Lord and really focus on discipleship, the heartbeat of our program. But we don't need to tell you how great they are; just read below to hear their hearts and why they've chosen to come this summer! (Beneath that are our summer prayer requests, so keep reading! :-) )

Abby

" I LOVE CREW. i did crew as a high schooler and the program absolutely changed my life. i've been blessed to be on staff at eagle lake the past two summers and get to work with the crew campers in the kitchen, but i'm even more pumped to have an active role in this ministry this summer. i just think high schoolers are the coolest kids out there: they're old enough to make a difference in this world but they're also coming to this place of understanding that what they do matters. they're (mostly) teachable. it is SO cool to watch them grow and see how Christ moves in their lives during their time at eagle lake and i really cannot express how excited i am to see how the Sprit uses our staff in that process." ~Abby C.
 

Rachael

"I came to Eagle Lake last summer as a Rez counselor. My sister was in crew the year before and I was inspired by her testimony of God’s goodness at camp. One of the reasons I chose to come back for Crew was because I felt that a week with the kids [in the Rez program] was wayyy too short and wanted to see God work through the kids in a more intensive discipleship format. I am so stoked to dig deeper into the Word with our Bible studies and to see these high schoolers experience God's truth and perfect joy." ~Rachael

 

Mere (left) with former counselor Beth

" Last summer, my cousin told me he was going to be a crew counselor and that I should be a camper! So right after my high school graduation I flew to Colorado to be in the crew program. I LOVED the discipleship, friendships, service... I could go on and on. I actually loved it so much that I stayed the whole summer! It was an experience full of growth, challenges, the word and best friendships that have forever molded me and grown me closer to the Lord. I did not expect to be back this summer as a crew counselor, but my heart and passion for the program could not keep me away! I can not wait to pour myself into the kids and love on them like crazy. Discipleship is so powerful!" ~Meredith 

 

Abby F.  (right) with Abby C.

"As a sassy 16 year old, somehow I ended up in the mountains of Colorado. I didn't like Jesus very much at that point, which made me being on crew quite an adventure. It was those five weeks where I feel as though I saw the Lord clearly for the first time, for who he was and not who I thought he was. I went through a heart transformation in those five weeks. I was baptized at the end of the summer. Needless to say, this program has a special place in my heart. [This summer] I’m super excited about discipleship. It’s probably the greatest passion I have. I love learning from older and younger generations and living life together. I won’t go on cause I could talk all day about it, but seriously, it’s going to be awesome." ~Abby F.

Allison

"I was on crew in high school and it literally turned my world upside down. Before the summer I was a quiet, self-conscious awkward teen. By the time it was time to go home I felt confident and bold in my faith and myself. The bible study and the crew staff are significant reasons for this transformation. Having positive role models that were similar to me showed me how I can truly be in the world, but not of the world. Ever since I did crew I've been itching to get back and God finally has led me back for this summer!" ~Allison

 

See? Aren't they wonderful? :-)

 

 

 

PRAYER REQUESTS:

 

1. For this wonderful staff: That the Lord would give them unity and love for one another; that He would continually renew and encourage them; that they would love their campers well; and that they would grow closer to Him. Additionally, that the Lord would provide two more Godly men passionate about discipleship and high schoolers!

 

2. For our campers: That this program would stretch and grow them, that they might leave changed as the counselors above.

Hanley as the eagle at the ELC Carnival

 

3. For Hanley: That he would be filled with the Spirit to lead this program in wisdom, justice and compassion.

 

4. For Ben and Marissa: That they would transition well into leadership; that they would develop a strong bond with the counselors; and that together, Hanley, Ben, and Marissa would lead our staff and program well.

 

5. For Katlyn and Baby Girl: That she would finish well in teaching; that the move up would go smoothly, and that baby would continue to grow strong and healthy at 9,500 feet so they can stay at camp the entire summer. 

 

6. For Katlyn and Hanley: ELC can be hard on a marriage! Please pray we get quality time to continue to grow together and encourage one another, especially as baby is on her way right after camp! 

 

Thank you for your prayers! We are thankful for you!