Summer 2010 - From Ty's Perspective

Hey Camp Friends!

I wanted to share with you some things I wrote in my prayer journal shortly after the end of this summer. I found this the other day and it really helped me reconnect with how great our summer was at Camp Deer Run! God blessed our camp in many ways throughout the summer. I thought this might help you all reconnect with your camping experience whether as a camper or staff member. I asked myself five questions and here are my answers.

What was your favorite moment of the summer?

Most summers I would have difficulty pen pointing one moment but this summer all though there were many awesome moments, I find it is easy to name my favorite. 4th Session, the second Wednesday night. M8 campers led worship that night. Kade Cox, Brad "Duff" Beard, Aaron Bently and Sean Dulock preached from the Word that night. Most of the boys have been camping for many years a few of them since they were nine years old. It was wonderful to see how these boys have grown and matured in Christ. Camp has played a part in their development. That night following the service we baptized eight campers in the new pool. I was privileged to baptize Abby Fair who I was a part of the Gilmer church of Christ youth group when I attended there and worked with the Youth Group. She is an awesome young girl who has great joy in all that she does. It was an uplifting night that showed how God is using CDR to help develop young people into strong Christian men and women.

What will you miss the most from the summer?

I will miss the daily opportunity to work along side 54 awesome Christians (the Summer Staff). Their energy, their focus, and desire to serve is amazing. I will miss their smiles, their laughter and their contagious love for camp. I will miss watching them serve the campers and enjoy their camp experience. I will miss watching them love on my son, Drayton. I will miss their beautiful singing. I will miss their passion for God and their desire to offer Him a pleasing sacrifice. I will miss Thursday night's in the office having fun with everyone working together to prepare things for Friday checkout. I will miss these awesome young men and women. I cherish all the moments we shared together.

What is the best part of living at camp each day during the summer?

The best part of living at camp each day during the summer is having the opportunity to live in a place that is focused on God and separate from the world. The purpose of all that is going on is to glorify God and teach others about Him. To be surrounded by this each day and to feel the bond between co-workers in the Gospel is an incredible daily blessing. It is always hard to return to the "real world" when the summer ends.

What was a funny memory from this summer?

Funny but painful - Walking back from Hoche Outcamping with staffer, Jamie Green, I was bitten by a mystery creature. It was not the unifang since whatever it was left two sets of fang marks on my side. I'm sure it was a spider, or at least I think so. I never got a look at what bit me but it hurt! I howled like crazy as the pain set in. I returned to my house to google bite marks and the closest thing I found was a black widow bite! I took some medicine and went onto bed wondering if I would wake up and have to visit the Winnsboro E.R. as a patient for the first time! Luckily it was not really a black widow and the swelling went away by the next morning. It was a funny occurrence and I hope I never meet that mysterious creature again!

What would be your message to the campers and staff?

Realize today and every day that Jesus Christ died for you! God loves you so much! Respond to that love and imitate it. Know that God is with you and come before Him in prayer because He cares for you. Know that I love you and I'm thankful for your faith in Jesus. God can and will do amazing things through you!

In Him,

Ty Ford

CDR, Director