Hey all,
Rolled the kids (& adults) at 6am to begin packing up…yea, I’m such a meanie!!! Had virtually all the luggage staged at the rear of the trailer by the time we went up for our final Camp Joy breakfast, which consisted of whatever was leftover from the week….this wasn’t nearly as disgusting as it sounds, I actually find the breakfasts to be above average considering we’re “camping”. We headed back downstairs and started to dismantle camp, taking down tents, loading the trailer, and finally doing the “Walk”…big line, sweep through camp picking up anything God didn’t put there. (Melissa is seriously rethinking her glitter purchase for Tori’s B’Day) We loaded up and headed up to Vespers and were at God’s Open Window by 8:30. The skit people went off to practice, Dr. Trey, bassist 
extraordinaire rehearsed with the worship team, while the rest of us found the “shady” spot and hung out. Vespers started at 9 with a few songs, then we had sight reports, although a bit different. Each group was supposed to bring back something from the job-site that represented how they saw God working throughout the week. Kate took our scraper and paint brush up and gave our sight report. (To hear it you’ll need to come to our Camp Joy Service on Monday, August 1) Then it was our turn to do vespers. Paige went up and started us off with a totally banging prayer. Then it was skit time. Kate and Sarah co-wrote the skit, based on our theme for the week. 
Sean the Taller, Katester, T-Fin, AbbieG, Dr. Trey, Ry-Lo, Little Pharaoh (aka J-Rod), Lil’ Shawn, and Twiggy all participated in the skit. (Again, you’ll need to come on 8/1 to see it) Finally our very own Rev. Sarah got up to present the message. Communion and a final song, and we were done. We gathered for a group picture at God’s Open Window, then were off to Sheetz to fill up whatever need to be filled up. Off we rolled arriving at CUMC about 3:30.
This is my 11th Camp Joy (13th mission trip overall), and it’s hard to compare year to year. The jobs are different, the kids are different, but this was an AWESOME group. They worked hard, they all get along (which in itself is pretty amazing, considering we had 18 kids), and several times during the week they totally shocked me, by anticipating what I was about to ask and doing it before I could get it out. So to the 18….JOB WELL DONE!!!
The Six – The Six are the adults who gave up a week of their time to join our trip. Without these people, Camp Joy would never happen. I’ll put my group of adults up against anybody’s, for their dedication, and ability to work with (and have fun with) kids. So, to Janet, Joe, Bob, Adham, Melissa, and Jani…..THANKS from the bottom of my heart.
Everybody else – To all of you back at home, that supported us, donated money and items, prayed for us, read our crazy Camp Joy Updates, and whatever else……THANKS!
See you on Monday, August 1….
Joel
