I am loved.

I just finished yet again a wonderful week of ROTC. They're all still sleeping, I hope. But, I had to leave upon completion of my ramp and showers last night. We spent the week mulling over the theme LoveStory. I thought it went brilliantly and against all my concerns and hesitation at least a portion of it all didn't fly over the heads of our JrHigh crowd as I thought it might. I only know this from my small sampling of dinner companions and work team, but each of them at least got something. Something clicked. Two more camps, I hope it keeps clicking, but am sad I won't be there to see it myself. 

The plainest emination of our theme for me came in my journey home last night. After a long long week of work and long weeks leading up to it, my team -BlueA- finished our 60' ramp around 10:30 thanks to the much appreciated help of many many other camp folks (WE THANK YOU!!) Then we showered, I loaded up the truck and at 11:15 headed to Dallas. I know folks were praying for me the whole way because it was any easy ride. Several called to check on me, some even stayed awake or were phones ready to be awake and talk me through the drive if need be. But no need be. It was one of the easiest drives I've had in a long time. I am loved. By a brother, family, friends as close as kin, 4 jr high and 1 sr high that have known me 5 days and worked their little buns off and still love me at the end of the week (I know b/c they said so). It is good to remember how much we're loved. The reminder just never gets old. If you're reading this..I Love you.

i'm sorry, I woke up and it was 1952

This is not okay. I discovered this article after telling the story to my coworkers that you're about to read. This baffles me. Last night I heard the following from a friend who attends a church other than mine: Our youth director received a call today from the program director of their summer mission trip. Program director asks, do you have any colored kids coming on the trip. (I don't know if this was really the reply or added in the story, but I hope it was the actual reply) youth director says, yeah lots of colors what are you looking for. Program director, no seriously do you have any black kids attending the trip. youth director, are you freaking kidding me?! (or a version of such) program director, one of the nights we are going swimming and we need to know if you have any black kids attending because the pool is segregated. youth director makes several statements of shock and appal and I don't yet know what happens from there. I do have faith in this one amazing youth director that right will be done for his kids.
All I have to say is this is not okay of the pool. It is further more unacceptable that an organized church related mission trip would even consider attending such a facility much less to call participating youth directors to see if there will be an issue. Heads need to roll for this. Program director. camp director. mission organization staff. I'm praying for you all through this grave mistake.
I ask how these things can happen still. Aren't there laws, does our not so segregated president have anything to say about this? My coworkers say, someone has to care. Um, it sounds like these prom going kids care. I care. Everyone who I've told this story to cares. I don't want to marr the generally good reputation of a large scale mission trip, but this is not okay. I'm proud to be a part of an organization that will have no such activities and will make an active stand against them. Bradford, leave the comforts of Berkeley and go home and save these people from themselves!

breaking the unbreakable

It is the end of an era. A slightly short toss off the roof missed the dirt by inches and slammed into the sidewalk. At which point the bottom fell into pieces. Nalgene's come and Nalgene's go, but purple Thump and I have been together for some years now. These bottles are apparently giving me cancer anyhow, but nothing beats them even if they aren't truly indestructible. The first week I had this particular bottle I dropped it off a short cliff while climbing and busted the lid strap, which the store gladly handed me a replacement for. The irreplaceable is the memories that come with the bottle. The years that Cam and I had the same. The addition of Thump at an ROTC. Grad school. Enchanted Rock at New Year's. The lingering question is: Do I put the Thump sticker I found while unpacking on the new Nalgene or is that like cloning my dog and thinking its still the same dog?

Mission

It occurred to me in a conversation last night that when I refer to ROTC as camp people are not realizing really where I am and what we are doing. ROTC is a mission organization. I will spend two-three weeks of this summer on Jr.High Mission Trips. There is a link to our site on the right column. We're a mission trip that is unique for allowing Jr. High youth to use actual power tools and do construction, part of our system is a Sr. High leadership program and third, we have a strong emphasis on worship (which is where I really fit into the picture). In a board meeting a few months ago, I'm told it was discussed and voted on as to who was the target of our program. Who is this for. For some the answer was obvious -the clients, the folks we are sent into the world to help. But the conversation led to another group and this focus truly guides what we do, which in turn serves so many other groups. ROTC exists for Jr. High youth. They are who this is for. The results of a week prove this intention is being fulfilled. We may significantly touch the lives of our clients, the towns we go to, the churches who host us, our Sr. High and adults. But, we change the lives of Jr.High youth. After one-week there are 11-14 yr olds who have worked harder and had more fun doing it then they could ever imagine. They pay to come and work for a week. But through working, program activities, the community of all ages gathered to serve them and worship whether they stand up on Friday night during our Share Service and articulate it or not, life is a little different after a week of ROTC. I'm proud to be a part of that. On Friday night of this past week, I took my turn on share night and told them that no matter how much the director tells us we're not here for ourselves but to serve others, I say she's wrong. These two-three weeks in a summer remind me why I do ministry the rest of the year.

Reaching Others

Yes, it really is 7:37 in the am and I have been up for more than an hour for the fourth day in a row. As if the mornings were not bad enough already the hour of sleep is not arriving 7.5 to 9 hours prior to the time of arising. This blog actually begins as I sit behind the pulpit and the band leads a game of atom five to stall for breakfast to be ready. A team of adults has now left the room skipping and singing We're off to see the Wizard...I love camp when telling people to do the absolutely ridiculous is completely legitimate and expected really. I love camp when success is marked in the number of people that cry at worship or puke at programs. I love camp when..well I must go join the food line so this shall have to wait. But I guess I do love camp when at 7:40 in the morning I can be so positive about camp. Someone remind me to read my blog about 9:30 when I just want a nap.