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Good Morning Readers,
It's a new day here in Lamoni -- another sleep-in morning for the
participants of SPEC. It's the least we can do
for them, after yet another day, and late night, in the Adventure of Life in Jesus, here at SPEC.
Yesterday's theme was "Alive in Christ", and these campers and staff
demonstrated that theme. The
morning started off somewhat slowly with Worship, Leadership Class, and individual classes in relationship building, painting, carving, music, clowning, and cooking, just to name a few.
After a gourmet lunch the
afternoon exploded in exciting sports competitions. Yesterday was the last day of "pool play" - a way of deciding by win/loss and actual competition, a somewhat fair ranking of each teams ability and skill
level for placement in graduated brackets of competition. The "green" level is the beginning level, usually for campers that have little or no team sports experience. And to quote Kermit, "It's not easy
being green". The "blue" level is for those with some skill and experience but mostly neighborhood or "sandlot" for you old timers. The "red" level consists of those who play j.v.
sports in school. And "gold" is for those varsity level players.
(Editor: See the correction to colors on August 2.)
Part of the problem is that varsity in a school of 50, is probably less intense than varsity in a class of 300. Thus the need for some preliminary placement.
Part of the job of the coaches is to keep the teams
feeling good about themselves if they were placed initially in a bracket slightly above their skill level and they've lost all their games. When actual "medal competition" begins later today there should be a
more even level of competition in each bracket, and their chance of winning some of their games rises considerably.
As with any competitive adventure there are the injuries, those players along the way who have
twisted and sprained various body parts. For many of these campers the missed play time is minimal, and for others -- well the sports writers (not the skill of this reporter) would say "Out for the season".
But even in casts, and on crutches, these campers make their way to the fields and courts to cheer, yell, and support their teams. They say life imitates sports, and how often in life are there those who have been
injured or wounded, who need special attention, or care, so as not to be left behind in the adventures.
The Rockies, the team this reporter is following most closely, had their annual and traditional "Pizza
Party" last night under the "big tent." Many, if not all delegations have one night when they treat the delegation to an evening meal together, usually partaking of pizza from the local "Pizza
Shack". It's an evening of rest, fellowship, Karaoke, singing, silliness, Frisbee, and unity building. Remember many of these delegations have participants from several states, and only get together once a year at
SPEC.
After supper the entire camp came together in the college football bleachers for an evening of Worship and Praise. The service, mostly planned and implemented by youth, is an exciting evening of
singing, scripture, drama, and participation. It's been said that the folks in Lamoni can hear the singing and music from their homes. Stassi Cramm, one of the financial officers of the church, shared an inspiring
message about the pressures of community expectations and the need to "shed" some of the worldly garments (expectations) to become alive to what God is calling us to. Campers were then invited to come down out
of the stands, accept a "token" from a staff person on the track, and then ring the entire football field for the closing activity. Imagine nearly a thousand people, in the lights of the stadium, standing side
by side around a football field and track, arm in arm singing "We Are One In The Spirit". The potential for a better world brings a hopeful tear to this reporters eyes.
And then imagine, to some rousing
music from very large speakers, the entire scene being plunged into darkness, and then suddenly and mysteriously erupting into an incredible fireworks display. The sky ablaze with colors and light. The "firmament
rent in twain", as it were, by a dazzling display of fire and noise. From this reporters vantage point the entire scene was magical. The campers in front of me were backlit by the light, and those behind me had
their faces illuminated by color. Eyes trained on the heavens in wonder and amazement, bathed in light and color, it may be a foreshadow of the very return of the Savior, as foretold and promised.
A fitting end
to the day? -- not quite. Because then the entire field and track again exploded with color and noise as players then took the field and track for two soccer games (one won by the Rockies girls) as well as participants
in long jump, high jump, triple jump, and shot put.
By midnight the campers were in their dorms, evening devotions were taking place, laundry was being done, the smell of popping corn and butter wafted up through
the dorms, and another day in the Adventure was drawn to a close.
Today promises to be another exciting day as we live today's theme, "Compassion in Action. And so, as the sun illuminates the keyboard, this
reporter prepares to assume his other daily duties, caring, guiding, shaping, molding, cheering, supporting, and just living the Adventure with the campers of SPEC.
Until tomorrow, Live! Like Children of the
King!! Your roving SPEC reporter.Seventy Bob |
