23 of them. That’s how many we brought with us. All together at camp, it’s well over 200. Ages 1 month to 17 years old. Let’s say 225. 225 kids for a week.
I know I keep talking about the kids, the broken kids specifically. I have problems with little people being broken already at the age of 9 or 10. Of our 23 kids, we have 6……6..who come from a traditional family. That is a mom and dad who created them, then stayed together to raise them. I actually miscounted, as I counted my own. I forgot we don’t fit that description; I have been around so long that I forget I didn’t make them LOL.
There are no Dads, and step Dads. There are no Dads and boyfriends. There are no Dads and revolving boyfriends. To an extent, there is the opposite with Moms. There are full step families, half families, and joint and split custody. Just today, we needed to get a message to a boys father, and it had to go from real mom, to step mom, and finally wound it’s way do Dad.
There is alcohol abuse. There are homes that can afford the beer but cant’ afford shoes. There is drug abuse, meth mostly. Ditto on the shoes. There is neglect, physical abuse, emotional abuse, and likely as not sexual abuse. It’s an angry generation being raised here. Frankly, I don’t blame some of these kids for being mad and acting out. Many get zero training on any sort of behavioral standards or authority at home; I don’t blame them for not knowing how to act with company so to speak.
Yet….we do need them to learn all of these things. 225 kids would quickly turn into chaos with no discipline or control. All these kids can’t just do what they normally, which is exactly what they feel like, to whom they feel like.
They need so much love. I am never ceased to be amazed at kids who NEVER get to have just a regular conversation with a grown up, and kids who are desperate for a tender touch of any kind, or a simple kind word.
So, lest any of you haters out there think we spend a week screaming about Hell…read above and take a hike. Of course, we do talk about Jesus, a lot, as that need really is greater than any of the others. We try hard to fill all the needs.
So, there you have it. We have 5 days to love them, talk to them, feed them, teach them about Jesus, discipline them, and teach then how to respect authority and act with company. Did I mention we need prayers?
July 5, 2017 at 18:58
Sure glad we didn’t have that exercise/game to do when I was in camp.
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July 5, 2017 at 20:46
It was hilarious
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July 5, 2017 at 19:25
Bless your heart, Wally! It is already made of gold.
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July 5, 2017 at 20:47
It’s a blessing to me
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July 5, 2017 at 19:55
Excellent post, my friend!
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July 5, 2017 at 20:49
Thanks Matthew
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July 5, 2017 at 20:03
This…. tugged at my heartstrings. Tears. Whew.
God bless you. I am praying.
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July 5, 2017 at 20:51
Thanks Lynda many are needed
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July 5, 2017 at 20:06
Praying for you, with you, and for them; blessings for the week, believing He is there with you
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July 5, 2017 at 20:52
Thanks Fran…yes He is here
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July 5, 2017 at 20:12
God bless you and the rest of the staff. You are making a difference.
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July 5, 2017 at 20:13
Prayers. You are doing wonderful works
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July 5, 2017 at 20:57
Thanks for the prayers Robert
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July 5, 2017 at 20:32
You just described my neighbourhood, Wally. You know I know. The broken families weigh on my heart.
We Christians know that we can’t solve all their challenges with just a week of camp. We’re not naive. These are complex issues requiring complex, comprehensive solutions, and the power to change their circumstances may not even lie in our hands. But we can at LEAST love ’em while we’ve got ’em and tell them about the One who loves them most.
Praying that these little ones be lavished with love this week!
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July 5, 2017 at 20:54
That’s right Anita and thanks. We can only do what we can do
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July 5, 2017 at 20:43
Eternal difference…right now impact! O what a privilege! ]To God be the glory!
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July 5, 2017 at 20:54
Amen
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July 6, 2017 at 08:40
:-)…Praying for your camp!
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July 6, 2017 at 08:51
😊
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July 5, 2017 at 22:45
Indeed to the naysayers who say you are ‘ruining minds………..’
Take a hike. again I say rejoice and take a hike.
And with what energy or remedy do they fix broken toys? Oh wait, all children are miniature adults, just waiting to be perfect like godless uncles. Yeah, good luck with that.
lol
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July 5, 2017 at 23:02
Rejoice and take a hike
Love it
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July 6, 2017 at 01:59
God bless you for what you guys are doing Wally
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July 6, 2017 at 05:09
Oh, He does!
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July 6, 2017 at 05:55
CS Your comment has made the subtle insinuation that atheists would not find the same compassion or interest in the welfare of disadvantaged children like God fearing Christians do. What do you base this insinuation on?
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July 6, 2017 at 06:14
Hey
Steve
Read the title of this post and come back proper
It’s not about you
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July 6, 2017 at 08:53
@sky
The context is not common courtesy or compassion, but an admittance that ‘broken things’ can only be restored, repaired, or made right, PERMANENTLY, not by the shallow super glue of godlessness or drugs, but of repair that comes by the creator and Redeemer of mankind, who alone, makes all things anew.
And btw, it is obvious that in certain quarters, others who have commented here (you have seen and can agree if you are honest) have said as much that to bring the word of God to children, is akin to the raping of young minds, and that certain adults should stay away from children.
THAT is the context of my observation, and it is spot on.
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July 6, 2017 at 10:19
It is absolutely spot on and thanks my friend for taking the time to answer. I am glad what I said here was clear enough for those who are actually listening
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July 6, 2017 at 06:52
I’ve met many kids for whom church camp is the one or two weeks of the year where they feel safe and free to be themselves. Thanks for being one of the folks who makes that possible. God bless!
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July 6, 2017 at 07:00
Ah, well said Jason. Yes, they can be safe and free.
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July 6, 2017 at 07:29
Hi Wally, I think that your camp is a great idea and very rewarding in many ways for these kids who have had it tough.
I simply cannot think why CS has such a crazy idea about atheists being beneath his standard of compassion, therefore I had to challenge that claim.
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July 6, 2017 at 08:32
Thanks Steve your thought is appreciated. That challenge however is best saved for another day and another place
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July 6, 2017 at 16:55
We might need to clone you Wally cause you are such a blessing–we need to spread you around
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July 6, 2017 at 17:44
Ah. It’s me who gets the blessing
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July 6, 2017 at 18:54
No doubt
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July 7, 2017 at 07:42
CS as this post is specifically about supporting and caring for children’s mental health issues and their well-being, I understand it is practical and therapeutical to introduce them to new experiences in life including Christian beliefs and they have their free will and the future to progress from there. However, professionals and people like myself recognise that there are no benefits neurologically or psychologically to repetitiously impose any adult’s personal ideological views be it religious doctrine, political views or social issues especially on children’s troubled minds.
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July 7, 2017 at 08:20
@sky
‘No benefits neuro or psychologically?’
Really? Hmmmmm.
You want to have that statement ‘PEER reviewed.’
No psych benefit to ‘Children obey your parents?’
No neuro benefit to ‘not lying or stealing???????????’
Stop it sky. You have no case. God’s word answers all issue of life and puts us petty pipsqueaks in our place. You are embarrassing yourself on the Christian post, amidst good people.
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July 7, 2017 at 08:28
Steve
Put a cork in it. Detail this post with atheist sermons and i will moderate you
This post is about loving kids. Period. Cease and desist
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July 7, 2017 at 10:01
Sorry Steve i hit enter and was not done. I find this all very odd. Christians are often informed that we don’t actually “do” anything but talk. Here is a post about Christians doing something very concrete and real. Furthermore this post was written by me to teach and encourage other Christians to do likewise. Yet all you can do is find fault with it and complain that you have been insulted. You actually seem to be active steps to interfere with my efforts to exhort Christians to do good. Do you see any problem with the fact that your desire to counter Faith is greater than your desire for good to be done. Rather odd from a person whose comrades and you as well are quick to say Christians are only trying to perpetuate themselves and their agenda rather than improve the world. Yet, here i am trying to improve the world and you ardently interfere with it to promote and spread your own agenda.
That is truly the pot calling the kettle black.
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July 7, 2017 at 22:56
Wally, you know very well it was CS who revved me up about this perception of his own godly perfectness over the godless uncles and drugs with the meaning that people such as myself and professional care are incapable of success without God. Religious knowledge may have some positive or negative benefits for some of the children depending on their situation, but it is unequivocally the success rate of professionals, doctors and proper psychiatric care that can turn these unfortunate children’s lives around. Maybe you do not have those services in America and it is totally left to people like CS and his attitude that compels the ungodly people to use the comments he does not like.
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July 8, 2017 at 00:46
So you would rather win your argument with Colorstorm than allow me to teach Christians to help people.
That is extremely sad.
Steve, don’t bother with additional comments on this post as they will be summarily deleted.
I have an objective here and you are interfering with it.
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July 8, 2017 at 06:48
Yeah well I do not care if you delete because you are all about defending your belief rather than a meaningful discussion on the mental well being of the children, just as I thought would happen.
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July 9, 2017 at 00:44
You are doing something wonderful, Wally.
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July 11, 2017 at 11:17
Excellent idea of helping kids. Really shitty idea about trying to indoctrinate then with religion.
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July 11, 2017 at 11:26
I’m not moderating you, or bothering to waste my time with you either.
Watch your mouth. Families read here.
Thanks
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July 11, 2017 at 11:32
Sorry, Wally. Feel free to edit the word and substitute one of these others, perhaps? Dreadful, awful, revolting, bad, irresponsible, etc
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July 11, 2017 at 12:02
So ark, you would prefer they be indoctrinated with godlessness?
Why you fear doctrine so much is an indictment against the instability of nonsense such as atheism. You go ahead and tell the little tykes that life is a serendipitous accident, where lawlessness abounds, that they are accountable to no one; that lying is simply an alternative opinion, and that stealing is fine and dandy.
I like doctrine. It’s so unlike the temporary charm of paint and papering, but more like concrete. 😉
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July 11, 2017 at 12:21
Yay, kiddies. It’s Mr Flat
headEarth!Only a genuine a’***hole would ask such a question of an atheist. Like you,in fact.
And the rest of your idiotic cmeent reflects just how much of a liar and a moron you truly are. In fact, you should actually be prevented from dealing with children
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July 11, 2017 at 12:44
Ark. Hi
Just some thoughts here and I am done with you.
No children were harmed in the making of this church camp; in fact, many were helped substantially, in very real concrete ways. Real help for real people.
I wrote these posts in an effort to encourage other Christians to get in action and also extend real help, to real people in need. I hope you realize that dragging this down into your bog of hate means those people will likely stop reading, because they don’t want to read all of that.
Net result. Real people may not get real help, all because of your flailing.
You CONSTANTLY go on about how we hurt children. Falsehood, as this series clearly proves. You CONSTANTLY harp about your love for children and desire to protect them.
If you feel that way. get out of my way, and let me do my little bit to make life better for some. Put your agenda aside and let something good happen.
Take your hate, and slink back to your pit.
Thanks
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July 11, 2017 at 13:07
I think helping kids from disadvantaged backgrounds is exemplary.
Moderators note: more blathering about kids being forced into belief. Again, if this charge can be substantiated to apply to this specific week, with names and dates, I will allow it.
Thanks.
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July 11, 2017 at 13:09
This link is worth a read.
Moderator’s note: link here deleted. If the commenter wants to substantiate that any cases of medical neglect occured during this week, then I will allow it. Otherwise, not relevant.
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July 12, 2017 at 08:14
Interesting comment, so you are saying life came from dirt, Christians do not steal or lie and it is a misconception by Moderators comment: this had NOTHING to do with this post, and was just a backhanded accusation to the host
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July 12, 2017 at 08:54
Steve, you last sentence was irrelevant, and had no place here.
Question for you Steve. Why do you hate children?
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July 12, 2017 at 09:01
@ Ark,and Steve
Obviously the two of you, professing to be protecting children, actually hate them. This post was written to be an encouragement to Christians to do good for the children around them. I have readers who won’t read this now because of this garbage. Well done. The promotion of your godless agenda means more to you than actual good being done for real people. Well done. This conversation is over, and further comment from either of you on it will be summarily deleted. Run back to the hyena den and have your way with me along with all of the other god haters.
Peace
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July 12, 2017 at 16:59
Steve hi
I clearly said you would not be allowed to comment further on this post. You are not here, nor is Ark, to have a discussion. You are hear to deliver atheist sermons.
Run back to the hyena pack and you all have a field day mocking and laughing. Just don’t come back to this post.
Peace
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July 11, 2017 at 13:37
Were any kids invited to ask for salvation from the lord?
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July 11, 2017 at 13:39
What’s that got to do with your charge of medical neglect?
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July 11, 2017 at 13:40
Psychological and emotional abuse.
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July 11, 2017 at 13:42
I’m confused. Your link wasn’t about that.
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July 11, 2017 at 14:02
All about your god and its followers.
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July 11, 2017 at 15:09
Bye Ark
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July 11, 2017 at 15:16
Don’t rush off, Wally! We were just getting warmed up.
You’re not afraid of discussing such things are you?
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July 11, 2017 at 17:26
I am curious though. If you presented the plan of salvation to these kids, surely you had to bring up the subject of Hell?
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July 12, 2017 at 08:12
You probably noticed I wrote a post about your camp and it elicited some rather heated comments – all from deconverts, some of whom went to the type of camp you describe in your posts.
This one from someone who was religiously abused is rather an eye open
Moderators note: comments made on another blog won’t be posted here
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July 12, 2017 at 08:32
@ark @ doug @ aka little stonegod with thecement hat
Nice try bringing a quote from an alleged ‘decon.’ Your hero decon friends can not make a distinction between Genesis and Revolution, yet you find them useful because they help your cause. Purely laughable.
They, like you, are clueless as to scripture. This is not an insult, just an observation, for scripture is only opened to soft hearts which know, believe, and have tasted that the Lord, He is good. Let me repeat: They, like you, are clueless as to scripture.
Decons as well as yourself, have hands full of cuts and bruises because of improper handling of God’s word. The sword thing and all that. And what comes out of your mouths is enough proof. You see, scripture gives a heads up on decons and the vile content that springs from dark hearts.
In your irony, you prove God’s word is good. Very good. 😉
But nice try trying to derail a good work by the host. I bet your believing mom is proud.
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July 12, 2017 at 09:03
Friend, thanks much for the back up. Sadly, some people who might read this now won’t because they don’t want to see all this godless garbage being flung here. I will not be allowing any more comments by either of these guys on this thread.
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July 12, 2017 at 09:05
You are correct wally. The poison from the godless posing as ‘knowledge’ is an affront to decent people.
I don’t blame you for nipping it in the bud and saying ‘adios’ to the crap.
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July 12, 2017 at 09:07
Thanks my friend. You tried to do good, though.
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July 12, 2017 at 09:01
@ Ark,and Steve
Obviously the two of you, professing to be protecting children, actually hate them. This post was written to be an encouragement to Christians to do good for the children around them. I have readers who won’t read this now because of this garbage. Well done. The promotion of your godless agenda means more to you than actual good being done for real people. Well done. This conversation is over, and further comment from either of you on it will be summarily deleted. Run back to the hyena den and have your way with me along with all of the other god haters.
Peace
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