Cooking for Camp

Cooking for 45? That’s exactly what Chloe and I got to do for five days for the HBF High School Camp, May 28-June 3, held this year at the Si Colburn State Camp, near Florida, Mo.

Neither of us is exactly sure how we agreed to do this, but agree we did.  And as is the case when giving up time and effort to serve the Lord, the return to those serving far outweighs the costs in time or effort.

Without a doubt, the highlight of the week was getting to know better the high school students, and adult service staff and counselors. We were so fortunate to have an awesome service staff of Zach Feurt, Jackson McGuire and Livia Dunham to pitch in wherever needed. The counseling staff (Brad and Annie McGuire, Jacob and Linzy Dunham, Abi Shipley, Lauren Stovall, Mark Brizendine) did a great job ministering the kids, leading them through issues in the Word of God and serving as great examples). And of course the camp directors, Tielor and Jen Scoles, who give of themselves beyond what seems humanly possible every year for camp.

The camp verse this year was Neh. 2:18, “…Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work.” The counseling and service staff took these words to heart, and strengthened their hands for the good work of serving at camp. Chloe and I were the oldest persons at camp, and aside from feeling a bit old at the energy level of everyone there, it was so encouraging to us to see so many of the 20-somethings at HBF who don’t just say they love the Lord, but put actions behind those words by giving up a week of their summer to serve others and the Lord.

As far as the cooking went, no one starved or got sick (that I know of). And a few things even turned out well, including the big plate of lemon bars (pictured below). 

The lemon bars are ready

It was a blessing to be able to serve alongside my wife for a week, and in some small way help advance God’s mission. If you have the opportunity to help out at camp do so next year, whether through sending your high school age children to camp, sponsoring a kid’s camp fee, praying or helping in some other way, please consider doing so. It will be well worth your investment. 

Ready to cook