The Success of Camp 09

1^st and 2^nd Weeks of Camp Gahini 09 just went down in History. The simple fact is that camp so far has been a huge success. God brought us here to start something that has become very special. The returning kids from last year have jumped into the program with both feet, ready to do camp all over again, while the first timers are coming in timidly and transitioning into loud competitive team mates that have made life changing decisions.

When you step on the red soil of Africa you are bound to leave a changed person. Even more so when you are prepared early to start Camp Registration, and you open the big green gate and see anywhere between 300 and 400 kids ready and wanting to come in, it begins to feel like a camp for 120 kids seems so small. At that point it doesn't matter what kind of system you use to choose kids; it isn't a great one. You see a lot of kids turn around and walk 30 mins home in hope of making it next year. I can only imagine that the walk home feels a lot longer for many of them. It would be so great to see camps begin all over this area.

For the Kids who do come in it seems as it there is something special in the air. Even mentioning games, going swimming, or keeping their T-shirts has the kids cheering. But before we get to any part of our program the kids burn some of their endless energy the best way they know how; singing, jumping and dancing for Jesus. I often wonder if one of us didn't mention we are late for our first activity how many days straight they could jump and dance and sing. 'Would they skip lunch?' I don't know. (A toss up I imagine)

Our Canadian team + two Floridians have also created an awesome standard for what a team should look like. We are all switching roles to give everyone a chance to be a team leader. Each person has brought something valuable to the table and has demonstrated good leadership for our local leaders in training. I even see smiles on our faces when the sharp painful smell of BO burns through the sinuses during group hugs and dance circles. (don't worry team soon your sense of smell becomes totally destroyed and then it won't be bad at all)

This Camp has been all about huge upsets... We have had several games that the underdogs come through and win it all. In Team games and in Dodge Ball for example Robbie's green team had 5 kids left towards the end against one girl from Steph's Orange team, who pulled through for a huge win. As the camp 'games guy' I have seen the points go all over the place in the last two weeks, but I expect week 3 to be very stable, I expect a very consistent winner. (We'll keep you posted)

*Team Leaders for Week 3 are: Jordan, Daniel, Clinton and Kenno*

Kenno