Sooner Rather Than Later

Change of Plans. No lunch break. We're by Jupiter and we'll probably be there by 2-ish. See you guys soon! :)

A Story Book Ending

Last night was AWESOME! After Gayle finished his teaching we headed out to an area by the lake that had semi-circular bench seating around a camp fire. The sky was clear and the moon was almost full. It lit up the lake and the surrounding area with a nice blue light. The stars were out too. We had the Big Dipper right in front of us. It was as if God was pouring out His love on us. I know it sounds cheesy but it was really cool.

Well that was just the scenery. God was there! BIG TIME!

We had a time of worship and then the youth started sharing scriptures and encouraging words. They were praying for each other and crying with each other. Several times one would share a scripture and another one would start a worship song that dealt with the scripture. Almost as if they planned it. So many kids were broken and desiring to draw closer to God. It was a special time.

After that we had some marshmallows around the fire and Jose let the kids stay up to play dodgeball and table games. I guess the sugar in the marshmallows kicked in cause some stayed up until 4am (supervised of course). Needless to say everyone is spent.

Right now we just passed Yeehaw Junction on Exit 193 on the Turnpike. We will stop for lunch around noon so we should be back by about 3pm or 4pm.

Thanks for all the prayers and I'd like to thank the parents for entrusting their kids with us.

The Pictures below are from the baptism. I couldn't take pictures in the evening because I didn't want to ruin the moment. I did get some video but you'll have to wait till Wednesday for that. :)

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On the Road Again...

We got up ready to go and had a light breakfast. Then we packed up the buses and started on our way. We're going through Orlando now so I know you guys are familiar with the route back. Only these buses actually OBEY the speed limits so we won't get there as fast as usual. ;)

I'll post about last night in a few minutes but I wanted to let you guys know where we are. Please pray we get there safely.

It's The End of Camp As We Know It

Today was a great day, and the evening promises to be a memorable one. As tired as everyone is, no one could believe today was the last day. The time has flown. Some of the kids said next year we should do it for 2 weeks! We would have to send in reinforcements. Yikes! :)

Thanks for all your prayers. The weather was PERFECT during the day. Overcast with a cool breeze. The baptism went great. Check out the pictures below. The worship team sounded awesome. And all the kids are exchanging contact information and emails. It's like they are all 1 big family. Gayle is closing up the service now and then we move to a bonfire for more worship and prayer. I have a feeling God is going to show up BIG TIME.

I'll try and fill you in after. Check out the Pics...

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Wet T-Shirt Contest (it's not what you think)

Get your minds out of the gutter. :) Last night after the teaching we did the wet t-shirt game but it's not what you think. We soaked shirts in water and then froze them and in the game the kids had to unroll the frozen shirt and put it on. Lots of fun. After that we played dodgeball against all the camp workers from Camp Gillead. They wiped the floor with us. I know what they do with all their free time.

Here are some more pics.

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Remembering Those Lost in Battle

Nikki Velez had her camp experience shortened by a fractured clavicle. It wasn't even anything violent from what I hear. Just landed funny on it. Some of the Girls wanted to honor her memory. Football players put stickers on their helmets. These girls are wearing slings all through camp to honor her. Needless to say they aren't doing so good in the games. :)


Get well soon Nikki!

Experiencing a Spiritual Hurricane With GAYLE Force Winds

Gayle brought down the house tonight. A packed house I might add. One of the workers here at the camp that used to attend Calvary near Pensacola caught word Gayle was here they pretty much shut down the camp to come and here him. He is such a gifted speaker. The kids didn't let him stop speaking. They were screaming for more. Start inviting your friends this weekend now! Or you'll be sorry after. :)

Michi Hernandez was kind enough to take notes of his teaching this evening.

Here's what we're learning.
______________________________

1. Servant – Slave -Others-centered
2. Example
3. Humble – God is I Am we are I AIN'Ts
4. Be as a Child – Unable to deceive – Not threatening
5. Younger
6. Least
7. Last

Humility is an honesty principle
*Whenever I try to cover myself up it is always uncomfortable and inadequate, like Adam and Eve in the garden
*A falsely humble person usually has a hidden agenda

Children
*They don’t understand deception
*EVERYONE wants to be found (hide and seek), and we have been by God
*The world chews you up and spits you out
*God is the one who really knows how valuable you are
*No one was afraid of Christ, just as no one I scared of a child
*Lean on HIS power

Least & Last
*God does not have a “scrub” team, he has ONE BODY
*Everyone’s job is to “get the ball to Jesus”
________________________________

It makes more sense when you listen to him. You can download it here.

And here is the first one from the morning session.

If you're a parent you can hear all your kids laughing in the background (sometimes uncontrollably).

Can't wait to hear him again tomorrow.

I know you guys are praying but I thought I would share something specific to pray for...

*All the worship team singers (and pretty much everyone that has gone tubing at the lake) has little to no voice left. I have my trusty cough drops as usual but please pray that they have enough left in the tank to finish it out. Think the movie cars in the beginning. :)

*Tomorrow we are having a baptism for the kids that want to be baptized. I saw the list and there were 22 Youth on the list. That's almost 1/4th of the kids here! Pray that they understand what they are doing and that they be filled with the Holy Spirit and empowered to live out God's call on their lives.

*Pray that the friends they make here are not short lived and that they continue to encourage and lift up one another as they grow up in the Lord.

*Also Pray for the weather.

I'll try and keep you posted as often as I can tomorrow. It's crunch time and we know God is going to move.

More Pictures!

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Teachings and Costumes and Games! Oh My!

After the teaching last night we did more team games. We had TV show themes Trivia. I was amazed how some of the Youth knew all the old shows.

These are some of the ones they had the most problems guessing.
*Transformers (the old cartoon)
*Inspector Gadget
*The Wonder Years
*Salute Your Shorts
*The Partridge Family
*Gullah Gullah Island
*Pete & Pete
*And Darkwing Duck

One of the Funniest moments was when David who lives in Honduras for most of the year guessed a show but didn't know the title in English because they play it over there in Spanish. The title in Spanish was Clarissa Lo Explica Todo.

The kids were also dressed up as cartoon superheroes. It was a really good time. Tito was the M.C. and he has risen to the top of my list as one of the funniest people at church. When he's up there playing bass guitar on the worship sometimes I wonder if he's even breathing. But once you get him going... Watch Out! It was a riot. Melissa (his sister) said she can't believe she is related to him. :)

Richard L. Gray Junior (he made me write it all out but I like to call him Richard the Grey)did a devotional for the Guys on Hearing the Coach's Voice and Raquel did a devotional for the girls (the title escapes me because well... I wasn't there). Gayle Erwin just finished teaching on being a servant and being an example. I'll have the teaching up for you guys later. It was awesome.

More Pictures are coming real soon. We're off to the Games session now and then lunch and free time.

It's All Fun and Games Till Someone Loses Themself in God's Love

Day 3 is just about over and I think today has been a shift in direction and focus. The kids have really been challenged today spiritually and they are responding. I think after a couple of days getting into the camp groove they are starting to open up and really seek after God. The games are still going on but they are starting to get the idea of why we are REALLY here.

Today we had devotionals by Michi and Izzy and then had the campers do a quite time on their own instead of a usual full teaching session. The kids seemed hesitant going out but when they came back they looked like different people.

Jose Casas did the teaching tonight and he hit 'em hard. We had a time of worship and prayer afterwards that was really moving. I can't wait to show you guys the video next Wednesday. You won't want to miss that service.

One of the cool things that is going on is watching everyone become like a real family. It's very different being in a camp and spending ALL DAY long together. Some cool friendships are being formed that may change the course of some of these kids' lives. From what I hear this happens every year leading up to a spiritual boiling point on Friday.

Thanks for all your prayers. Keep it up. They ARE being answered.

There's a new Sherrif in Town

Last Night after dinner we had a dodge ball tournament and the last (wo)man standing was our smallest camper... Michaela! Tim Everett would be proud.

Also, we joined together to give you guys a little tour of the facilities. I think you'll like it. Holla Back! :)

A Picture Says a Thousand Words

So Here's 175,000 Words... :)

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What the Lord Requires of Campers

Pastor Edward Abraham from Calvary Chapel of Doral taught the kids on Micah 6.

If there is one verse that the kids will never forget it's Micah 6:8 He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

You can listen to his teaching here...

http://www.calvarykendall.com/podcast/2007CampEddy.mp3

Happy (and Dirty) Campers

I heard the small groups the night before were hit or miss. Some groups opened up well and others not so much. I imagine it's just typical teenage stuff. Some groups probably went something like this...

Leader: So how did you guys like the teaching.
Camper: It's Good...

Leader: Did God speak to you?
Camper: Yeah... :)

Some of the groups did discuss some pretty heavy topics, though. Pray that the kids would really open up and start to share if they haven't already.

This morning we woke up to the smell of Biscuits & Gravy. It happens to be my favorite breakfast, which is unusual for a Cuban from Miami. This camp has the best food, and it's not even close for 2nd Place. :)

After breakfast we had breakout sessions for devotions. The guys devotions were by Alex Perez (our resident sound engineer @ CCk) and then G-Diddy (George Dedesma our College and Career Ministry leader), who shared on Acts 1:8 as well as persecution.

The Girls devotional time was led by Dasha who taught about INWARD beauty, and then Belkis shared on Fasting and Prayer.

Then the Games Started. Pretty much if the Kids weren't dirty, they were still sleeping. Check it out...

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Last Night's Teaching By Tito

Hey Guys,

Here's Tito's teaching from last night. Tonight is Pastor Edward from CC Doral. I'll have it up later tonight along with more updates.

http://www.calvarykendall.com/podcast/2007CampTito.mp3

1 Down, 4 to Grow!

We just finished the first full session of Worship and Teaching this evening. Tito let it all out tonight. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I've known Tito since he was 12. He did such a great job. The title of his teaching was "Following the Way" and the kids were really into it.

After the teaching we hit the Gym for another team game. The kids "packed it in tight" by speed eating foods that should not be consumed on the run (if at all). Parents don't try this at home!

Right now it's small group Devotionals in the Cabins and Lights out at 11pm. Overall an awesome start to camp. Check out the pics...

Good Morning Lakeland!

Day 1

Rise and shine everyone! We ate breakfast together like one big happy family. Once done with breakfast everyone split up into two groups. Johnny lead the boys with a short devotional and Pastor Scott did the morning teaching on Life's Warnings Labels. He Even rode in on a skateboard! Mother and daughter Casas tag teamed with the girls. Natie took over the morning devotional and Belkis taught on praying through the Word. God spoke through each teacher and encouraged the kids this morning.

And Now... Let the games begin! The Kids are divided into eight teams, two teams against each other at a time. I speak for everyone when I say that we are having a blast! Check out some more pics...

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We Made It Safe and Sound

We arrived at Camp around 8:30pm and the kids were very excited to finally get here and off the buses. We unloaded the luggage and the sound equipment and we had the kids check in at the registration table, they received their bunk room numbers, their bunk leaders, they received their journals and super cool t-shirts. They were definitely hungry and the staff of Camp Gilead were wonderful, they had hot pizza waiting for the kids. After check in they went to the mess hall and had pizza. It was pretty late by then, close to 11:00 pm, so we sent them back to their cabins, they had their devotions and finally went to sleep.

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We're off to camp!

We were on the buses at 3:30pm and we started for Camp with a bang, LITERALLY! One of the 3 buses had engine problems right as we got on the turnpike. Just a minor problem. But enough for the company to have to bring another bus from Ft. Lauderdale. Not to mention it was the bus with the all the equipment that we have to setup at camp. I'm still driving with the Kids and we're about an hour away. The new bus is back on the road and about an hour behind us. I can already tell it's going to be a GREAT CAMP. If anything, just from the opposition. Keep praying that the kids would have an open heart to what God wants to do in them. I'll try and keep you posted.

Beware the Purple Ninjas Campers!

Well, today we're off to Lakeland for a week with the the Kids from our Youth Group. Every year before camp we usually put together some videos to show the kids that we will not allow any funny business between the guys and the girls. We call contact between them PURPLE.

We recorded this video basically on the fly and fighting for daylight. It was a blast. It's the first action scene I've ever done. Special thanks to Michi for helping with the editing. :)



This week will be camp central on the Blog so check back often if you have any kids going to camp this year.

An 80's Ballad for all the Volunteers out there

I've been sitting on this video for a couple weeks now waiting to receive my confirmation that Guitar Hero™ Encore: Rocks the 80s has shipped. I finally got the confirmation.

So... here is a typical 80's rock ballad dedicated to all those who serve on the media team at CCk and to volunteers everywhere.



I can TOTALLY see all of our pastors on staff do a video like this. I don't know who would play the part of the shirtless drummer though. Maybe they could draw straws or something. :)

Look! Up on the Stage! It's a Bird... It's a Plane...

No! Its Shachah!
The Super Band from Cali!

These guys led worship and played some of their original songs at our church a few weeks back. Here are a few of the songs they did. These guys are the real deal!

Where is the Quality Control?

We all strive for excellence but sometimes something like this falls through the cracks.

Don't miss the ending! :)


This video speaks for itself. Has the equivalent of something like this ever happened in any area in which you may have served? Maybe where someone was helping and you wished they never would have? Make sure people are given clear instruction and training so that they can succeed in whatever area they are serving.

New Baptism Video

Here's last Saturday's Baptism Re-Cap Video. I ran out of time to add the "finishing touches". But here's what I got.

67 People got baptized! What an awesome time. It's hard to fit in everyone without going 10 minutes.

I'm running out of baptism songs. If anyone has any suggestions for the next baptism video let me know. :)

So... What are YOU in for?

Recording Movie premiers for bootleg purposes!

The MPAA claims that New York is a pirate movie haven and with a claimed 43% of all camcorded movies originating from the city, it was just a question of time before Mayor Bloomberg’s and the MPAA’s anti-piracy campaign - coupled with new legislation - claimed its first scalp.

According to reports, police descended on the American Theater on East Avenue in Parkchester, after warning theater workers in advance that they were about to conduct a sting to arrest a known movie ‘cammer‘ at a sneak preview of the new movie ‘Transformers’.

Under the previous law, getting caught meant up to 15 days in jail and $250 fine. The new measures signed in May 1, makes ‘camming’ a misdemeanor offense, which means that Diallo is facing a possible 6 months in jail, accompanied by a $5,000 fine.

I think the Motion Picture Association is going the way of the music industry. The more they try to scare and prosecute people the worse it's going to get. People won't stop doing it. They'll just get better at not getting caught. It's like me telling my kids not to touch something. They just want to do it more. There will always be a black market for movies and music. That's just my 2 cents. :)

For Those About to Rock the 80's... We Salute You

OK so I'm addicted to Guitar Hero. Today I pre-Ordered my copy of Encore: Rock the 80's. It came with a free T-Shirt. I couldn't resist. I wouldn't call myself a guitar HERO though. I still have 10 more songs to finish (by the skin of my teeth) on Expert Mode. Mind you I have played Bass guitar for 14 years.

This game is the great equalizer. I have seen great guitarist do terrible and I have seen people that have never picked up a guitar do awesome.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to playing some new songs (and some sleepless nights). :)

I'm praying this thing gets really popular. Maybe one day there will be a clone for Christians. Maybe they can call it Worship LEADER! I'd buy it.

Any Guitar Hero Fans out there? What level are you playing at? Stuck on any songs?

Men's Conference All Star Preacher

We recently had a Men's Conference at our church with probably the best possible MAN for the job. Ken Graves from Calvary Chapel of Bangor Maine is the ultimate Man's Man. We're talking Men's Conference Hall of Fame. If you've never heard him before then take a listen. Here are the links to the files...


2007 Ignite! Men's Conference

Session 1

Session 2

Session 3

By the way I had a blast editing the Intro. The voices are Alex Perez (our resident sound guy) and George Cueves (our Graphics and Communications Guru). The staging and theme for the conference was cars and hot rods so the intro fits with the theme. :)