Happy Camper

For years, one of the main activities that we have been blessed to work with have been camp weeks or days at Ardennen Bijbelkamp. Throughout the 50 years that this Christian camp has been reaching out to people young and old, Dutch-speaking or French-speaking, we (together with the many brothers and sisters through the years) have constantly strived to keep a focus on Christ, His Word and how we can encourage one another better to follow Jesus daily. Camp has been a place where you can be challenged or comforted, where you can be stretched to learn something new or simply come to find some peace.

This year seems to me to have been a year that camp was used even more than in the past and that is good. We want camp to be used almost year-round. And this year has seen lots of new uses. And, thankfully, we were able to experience some of those times this year. Of course you may have seen some of the pictures, but as the season is slowly coming to a close (but not until the end of December), I wanted to share with you some of the times we have enjoyed.

A time to work

There are still plenty of things that need to be finished down at camp. Whenever I get the chance, and my ‘skills’ mght be needed or I can put my muscles to good use for camp, I head down to help. This was in April for a day, in June for a couple days and then again in July before the camp weeks got started in earnest. The fun part about these work days is that there is always a group. Have you ever noticed how good conversations can be when you’re working with someone?

A time to sing

The congregation in Maastricht likes using camp because we know how we all enjoy the beauty there and the time together. Since we are relatively close it is also not really very difficult for us. So at the end of May we planned a day together. Philip taught us about forgiveness and we all wrote some new songs. This was the first time that our sister, Alonie came to camp, and our French-speaking brother, Clement, also showed up.

A time for camp

This summer I was responsible for two camp weeks: Teen Camp and Family Camp. Although Teen Camp ended up being just three campers, it was an especially active week. The campers and I went out every morning on a trip, usually walking a few hours. The afternoon would also be normally active. But of course we were looking at the travels of Paul in the Acts of the Apostles.

Family Camp was a great group of people and we struggled with some thoughts on Apologetics. Why do we believe what we believe? This is when the beauty and surroundings of camp show their best purpose: time to chew on deep thoughts and discuss concepts during long walks. It was great tp see how everyone helped with the various tasks throughout the week.

A time to escape

In September the Maastricht congregation held a youth weekend down at camp, focussing on Exodus and what we learn from the Israelites’ escape from Egypt. Once again, we are blessed as a congregation to be so close to camp that we can organize the weekend at camp and still meet in Maastricht on Sunday morning to worship together with the whole congregation.

A time to retreat

At the end of September the men headed down to camp for a Men’s Retreat. It is no easy feat to get a bunch of men together, but this was a wonderful time. And we had several who had either never been to camp or had never been for more than an afternoon. Challenging and fun activities along with challenging lessons sent us all off with the courage to be the men of God that we want to be.

And we aren’t finished yet

Fall Camp is planned for the end of October, but this year it will not only be for the youth, but for all who wish to come – more like a Family Weekend. And in December the 16-year-olds will decend on camp to show off their ability to really stick it out in the cold. In the meantime we will have at least one more work day to get things ready for a new year of serving one another, helping one another grow and challenging one another to live in grace. We are so thankful to be able to learn so many of these lessons and share these times of growth with one another at such a wonderful place.

You can find most of these photos on our photo site (click on the pictures on the right) or you can go here for more photo's from camp.