Despite frequent bursts of muggy rain showers and mysterious swarms of Caribbean ant colonies, spirits remained high all throughout the 2012 Souled Out summer camp this past week.  Held  just outside of the Houston city limits at Highland Creek Camp in Hitchcock, Texas, over 50 youth from each of our Joy Fellowship, Fletcher and Gano Centers participated in variety of games, arts & crafts, Bible study sessions, cabin-mate bonding time, physical activity, meals and bilingual worship during a 5-day period. Regardless of whether or not this was their first or their third time attending summer camp with Mission Centers of Houston, the experience was an immensely positive one for each camper, summer missionary intern, and staff member alike.

One of the pre-teen girls from Fletcher, a spunky 11-year old named Brandy, shared about how she spent time during the weeks leading up to camp learning about respect, obeying authority, and gaining a vision for her future as well as offering a certain amount of service hours in exchange for a camp scholarship. “My favorite thing so far has been driving the go-kart around the track,” she related with great enthusiasm on the third day of camp. “But I also really like all the times to go swimming with my friends.” Another teen, 13-year old Jose from Joy Fellowship, was excited to note that this was his third time coming to camp with Mission Centers of Houston. “If I was still at home right now, I’d just be doing nothing. I wouldn’t be doing anything! So this is fun. Especially the zip line when you fall into the water,” said Jose whose service project hours included painting and yardwork at his center.

Additional  camp highlights included numerous, highly relational opportunities to:

  • play human foosball
  • create found art pieces out of recycled doors and leftover materials
  • engage in meaningful one-on-one interactions with staff members and Global Footprint summer interns alike
  • use Highland Creek Camp’s canoes, shooting range, zip line, low ropes course, swimming pool, and blob
  • drive go-karts (a particularly big hit with guys and girls alike)
  • listen to a nightly message revolving around Ezekiel 36:26
  • roast s’mores over an open bonfire
  • attend age-appropriate and interactive sessions on topics such as love, discipline and healing
  • run through fields with glow-in-the-dark sticks
  • and participate in a talent show

A big thanks goes out to all who made this transformational experience possible for our youth, including camp director Haley Jones, all of the summer missionary interns and Mission Centers of Houston staff members, the staff at Highland Creek Camp, those who taught sessions throughout the week, and especially each of those who offered both financial and prayer support. Thank you for helping us share God’s love and His ability to make all things new with each of our youth this year!

July 13, 2012

Upcoming Events

You may also like…