
“Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:4

Our speaker for Junior A Camp was Faramir!

Faramir spoke on the power of connection.

During the first chapel on Monday, he talked about what connection is and why branches need to be connected to the vine.

To illustrate our need for connection, Faramir told the story about his debilitating fear of heights . . . and the rollercoaster!

He was a youth pastor taking the brand-new high schoolers in his first youth group to a theme park. Faramir carefully chose the most mild coaster in the park, the one that had bored an eleven-year-old child ahead of them in line. As Faramir and his student (Justin) chugged up to the top, Faramir was overcome with terror. In a desperate bid for sanity he shouted out, “I am going to hold your hand!!!!” He then proceeded to clutch that youth group kid’s hand for the entire roller coaster ride.

It is true, folks. Connection is key!

Camas Meadows is on the sunny side of Washington State, the dry side. We see firsthand how quickly the wildflowers and grasses fade from lush and green to a crunchy, brown fire hazard. However, the trees remain green all summer long. Each branch is nourished by the trunk and because of the deep roots the trunk connects them to, their leaves stay bright and green until the frost comes in the fall.

On Tuesday night, Faramir talked about how we need connection with God often, not just occasionally.

The campers looked at the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. How these three captives had such a deep and regular connection with God that they trusted him with their lives when facing a raging king.

“Then Nebuchadnezzar said, ‘Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.'” Daniel 3:28

On Wednesday night, Faramir talked about suffering.

Were Job, Joseph, Paul, and Faramir himself crazy for connecting with God during times of extreme pain and heartbreak?

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” Genesis 50:20

Although Faramir is one of the funniest, most cheerful guys you will ever meet, he has weathered an incredible amount of pain. He shared parts of his story with the campers this week and while they love to laugh with him, these children are not afraid to cry as well.

In fact, the campers of Sasquatch Den made Doc Hudson cry when they sent him a card with incredibly sweet words of encouragement tucked inside. These kiddos know how to use their power to connect with others to build God’s kingdom!

On Thursday, Faramir talked about how Jesus calls us to a lifetime of connection with him!

“As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. ‘Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will send you out to fish for people.’ At once they left their nets and followed him.” Matthew 4:18-20

On Friday, Faramir talked about living a connected life. Being ready to be changed, to grow, to become more than you were all alone. To follow a Savior who seeks, finds, and heals. Then to seek to bring that power of hope to others and to live stronger ourselves because we don’t face the world alone. To gather together around our Lord as the sheep of his pasture and the delight of his eye. To find common ground and community in Jesus.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.” Galatians 5:22-26

During the campfire on Friday night, the staff were pretty sure that every camper stood up to share. There were certainly some silly moments, like when a deer walked through the meadow and five campers bolted for the stick bucket so they could toss a stick into the fire, “For the deer!” One camper even put two sticks in for the deer! But there were also moments of true thankfulness and praise. Children made new friends, admired the stars, listened to teaching about God’s word from someone who has weathered incredible pain on his walk with the Lord and survived, faced homesickness head on and won the battle, and learned how to grow their connection with God and share the strength they gain in ways that bless others. Something to celebrate with a stick in the fire, for sure!

On Saturday morning, Faramir talked about staying connected with each other and with God.

This was our smallest camp of the summer, but oh my, these kids could sing! As Kindred and Legolas, a brother and sister team, led them in worship they just sang their hearts out.

They sang like children who had deeply taken to heart that they do not face this world alone.

Children who knew that the one who made the universe loved them, sought them, paid their ransom, and longed for them to be with him for eternity.

What about you, my friend? Do you believe in his great love for you?

“May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.” I Thessalonians 5:23-24

“Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:12