Military training

Well, one day of training down!
We spent a lot of time in 'session'....sharing our testimony, discussing prayer, learning more military moves (bounding, clearing houses, etc) and just getting to know each other. I am enjoying spending time with this group!

Today we will "play" camp, going over the schedule, procedures, etc. This is more my area since I run the daily schedule of the camp. It's always a fun day as we get to go around to the different classes and learn the ins and outs of camp life.
Everyone seems to be getting to bed on time.....I think they are tired each night. I know I am! It's a lot of info to take in...I already know all of this stuff and it still makes my head feel like it's going to explode! I know it's gotta be hard on the staff! But they seem to be enjoying every minute of it!

thanks for praying for us as we work through this week and prepare for the upcoming months!

And so it begins...

Wow! It was been a great start to our staff training....these kids are excited and ready to get busy with the ministry they have come here for! I have really enjoyed being reunited with old staff and getting to know the new staff (East Coast Girls, Rm 3, holla!!). They were put through some pretty trying and difficult team challenges tonight but accomplished them with flying colors. I was amazed with their level of team work and confidence, and ashamed that I actually thought they wouldn't be able to do it. I'm impressed!

We have some beautiful staff this year....I can see their hearts are just eager to grow closer to God and to be used as a vessel to reach these campers. I feel really good about this group and am looking forward to seeing how God is going to use them in the next few months.

Often my job doesn't allow for much time to sit and get to know many of the staff on a very personal level....it's go, go, go! But I have a burden to really change that and get to know them more. I have prayed for them by name for some time now that I almost feel like I know them.....I'm looking forward to spending the next couple of months chatting with them, laughing with them, and praying with them.
This year our emphasis is on prayer. I'm thankful for a camp director who is burdened to make this an emphasis....it is so vital to this ministry. Even tonight I have been challenged, as Nanette (our lead girl counselor) shared some points on the subject....I know I don't do it enough. I'm looking forward to being challenged in this area and seeing others grow as well.

If I weren't so tired, I would load pictures tonight, but it's late and I have to be up and at 'em tomorrow. These next 2 days are long and intense as we spend time going over the Gospel, what it means, how to share it, the power it gives, etc. We will also be going over camp policies, rules, schedule, expectations, etc. Usually by the end of the day on Tuesday, their brains are full and they have a glassy look in their eyes! But then we will swoop them away to beautiful Colorado and they will be able to enjoy God's creation and soak in all that they have learned.

Please be in prayer for these young people this week.....there is much to do and little time to do it. Thanks in advance!!!

Staff Updates

SUMMER STAFF 2011

GIRLS:

*Sarah Tucker (30)….all summer (medical)

Katie Bounds (18)….first 6 weeks

Sarah Peshlakai (17)…..all summer

Jessica Armstrong (18)….all summer

Nanette Beyale (18)….all summer

Kylie Welch (19)….first 4 weeks

Maddie Higginbotham (17)…..all summer

Jayme King (17)….first 6 weeks

Ellya Kennell (18)….all summer

*Miriam Griffioen (16)….all summer

*Kelly Sandretzky (17)…..6 weeks

*Ashley Kerr (16)….all summer (medical)

*Jessie Cooper (16)…..first 4 weeks

*Leah Arjay (16)…..all summer

Holly Knox (15)….all summer (medical)

Jessica Platero (17) ….all summer

Jaynanne Kinsel (17) ….all summer (medical)

Genevieve Barrigo (16) …..all summer, except week 8

Katelyn Hilderman (17)….all summer (medical)

Annette Torres (17)….last 3 weeks (references)

Haley Allen (16)….last 3 weeks (references)

Shelly Tsinne (20)….week 6 and 7

GUYS:

Stephen Hunkup (22)…..all summer

Rob Nickles (41)…all summer (medical and reference)

Delano Gon (19)…..all summer

Josh Finger (20?)….all summer (all of it!!)

Joshua Plummer (18)….all summer minus week 6

Matthew Knox (18) ….all summer

Tyson Log (23)….all summer

Christian Paiva (17)…..all summer (medical)

Joshua Bounds (16)….first 5 weeks

Ty Platero (17)….all summer, minus 2 weeks?

Tyreil Thomas (18)….all but the last week

Parker Gray (16)…..month of July

Kyle P….all summer (medical)

Andrew Kontz (15)…first 4 junior weeks

Josh Hillis (16)…..week 1, 5-8 (all of it!)

Dalvin Gon….2 weeks (3^rd and ?)

Timothy Gon ….week 3, 7 and 8

TJ Sowers (16) ….all summer, except week 2 and 3 (all of it!)

If you have a 'medical" or something by your name, that means we are missing those pieces of info...be sure to have it all ready by the time you get here! :)

SUnday, May 29th!!

It all starts this Sunday.....staff training week! It's the "kick off" to what is sure to be an awesome summer! We will spend the week learning about the camp, the culture, each other and even a little about ourselves. There will be plenty of fun times (team building games, getting to know you times, etc) along with some serious moments added in there (learning how to share the Gospel effectively, presenting your testimony, etc). It's always a good time of fellowship.

About halfway through the week we pack up all our stuff, drive about 4 hours and will end up in the middle of the beautiful Colorado mountains to spend a couple days camping. This year we will be staying at Chris Park, just outside of Durango. We will head over to the Bar D the first evening (GOOD FOOD!) and then, we will drive about an hour on the Million Dollar Highway and spend the day in Ouray, swimming in the hotsprings and shopping. Be sure to bring your camera because it is BEAUTIFUL there!

We'll wrap up the week with a couple more sessions and then before you know it, the camp week will start, bright and early Monday morning!

I am so looking forward to seeing all of you and spending the summer together, ministering and loving on all the hundreds of kids that will come through the camp. I hope you have prepared your heart for this experience.....I hope you have spent much time before the Lord, asking Him to use you in mighty ways this summer. I am praying for each and every one of you, by name, as you prepare to come out here. Can't wait!

And just a reminder......everyone is to be here by Sunday dinner (5ish) on the 29th. If you are not going to be here, you need to let me know asap....and you have to have a pretty valid reason, since staff training is a requirement :)

Love you all,
Christy

Sweet Sarah

Meet Sarah.....our "wrangler of the year"!!

Hey, my name is Sarah Peshlakai and I've been coming to Broken Arrow Bible Ranch since I was 9. I experienced 7 wonderful summers there as a camper until I was able to join the staff as a wrangler last year!
My favorite animal is the horse and my favorite pass-times are photography and music. So, if you see me around this summer, I'll probably have a camera in my hand or be singing to myself as I work down at the ranch stables! My favorite colors are black, silver and purple and my favorite band is Barlow Girl. I just finished up my junior year in homeschool highschool and I'm still waiting to see what God has for me in my future. I can't wait to see/meet you all this summer and I look forward to what God has in store for us as we begin this summer of ministry!

Pray

Just wanted to pass on a prayer request concerning one of our favorite counselors....

Melissa Torres is still awaiting news on whether she will need surgery this summer.....if so, she may have to miss working camp this summer. It would be our loss, as Melissa has become a leader among our staff and really loves the campers and the work here at camp.
We know that God has everything under control and Melissa will be exactly where she is supposed to be.....we just ask that it be here, with us, at camp! :)

Please join us in prayer concerning this matter.....

Thanks guys!!!

Just a little "taste" of the upcoming summer...

Thought it would be fun to post a little blast from the past to get you excited for the upcoming summer!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pdffm3f8QrQ&feature=related

Check it out!! :)