Happy 235th Birthday, America! - Monday, July 4th

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY! It's the 4th of July! We started off the day here at Camp Phillip with a rousing chorus of patriotic songs like "God Bless Our Native Land", "America the Beautiful" and "The Star-Spangled Banner". Jason Schleef also led us in the Pledge of Allegiance and many people wore red, white, and blue. If it wasn't illegal to shoot off fireworks I think we would have tried, but in addition to being fun, here at Camp Phillip we also place following the rules in high regard.

America;s 235th birthday gave this week of camp a kickstart! The small number of campers in Sonshine 2 allows the counselors to get to know the children even better than they do in other weeks of Sonshine camp - how fun! Even I am getting to know these campers pretty well, and I'm just the communications guy!

Since it was just the first day of the week, the campers eased into the swing of things somewhat with a fairly regular day of crafts, creation encounters, outdoor sports, bible studies, and swimming. Maybe the best part was the evening game when the Sonshine campers played "Big Ball Explosion!" It was supposed to be similar to the game "Paul Ball" except that "Big Ball Explosion" is intended to be played with a GIGANTIC ball that we keep in the machinery building. That red rubber ball is a bit old... and sadly, 2 minutes into the game, it popped! The campers continued playing Paul Ball with the normal equipment as the red ball sadly deflated, yet a good time was had by all.

Except for that poor ball.

Cabin Two Playin' Around

Cabin 12 During Creation Encounters

Today's passage is from Mark 10:45:

"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Jesus came to earth to live a perfect life, die, and rise to save mankind from their sins... and He did this with a servant heart! Even though He was the one who created every person He interacted with, even though He was the One who authored humor, sunshine, chocolate, laughter, color, music, and joy, even though He was and is the Inventor of everything we see on earth - He humbled Himself and became our servant. Jesus washed His disciples feet, suffered through life as a man, and even died for us. When we have this knowledge, it makes us want to also follow His examples and strive to serve our fellow man as He did.

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