Well…we are rolling great on our way home. We are stopped for dinner in Alabama and are right on schedule. It looks right now like we will be arriving back in Warsaw around 6am. We will call from the road to let you all know exactly what time we will be arriving home. We’ll also try and have someone update the blog in case you don’t get a call.
This week has been awesome. These are the times that excite me about student ministry and the future of the church. These students are going to make an impact on the kingdom in a major way.
Please keep checking in on this blog after camp for more updates.
Also, please join me in thanking the adults who were a part of this trip. (Names and photo’s coming later.) They have spent the last week investing a ton into your students. I could not have done this without them! I would not have done this without them. This is one of the finest teams I have ever taken on an adventure like this.
Scott
Labels: 2006
New Life
Sometimes we have the opportunity to be a part of something so much bigger than ourselves, all we can do is stand back, weep and thank God. Tonight was one of those instances for me. I got to celebrate with our group as four of our students accepted Christ for the first time tonight. Their eternity was re-arranged right before our eyes. Tonight was part of the payoff for your prayers, your emotional and financial support, the countless hours that these adult leaders have given up as well as the hundreds of hours of planning by the Big Stuf staff and support staff at WCC. I wish you could have seen our students embrace, care for and celebrate with these young people who now have a new life in Christ. Our evening session ended with 50 minutes of our students pouring their hears out to God in worship. God was smiling tonight!
I am humbled tonight by God's love for me and for the grace that he extends to me as I daily attempt to follow him...always failing...and always falling short. As I was watching these students worship, I couldn't help but think about the ripples that will come from tonight. I think specifically think about the students at the high school that will be influenced by the kids here. I think about the families that will receive encouragement from the stories that are told for weeks to come. And finally...I think about the people who will eventually be led to Christ because of the lives these students lead.
What a great week. Thank you all for loaning us these students.
Labels: 2006
Greetings from room 4412 in Panama City Beach Florida!! We all are having such a blast here!! It’s my first time to Florida and my first time seeing the ocean so that’s really exciting for me… I came here not knowing anyone and meeting a lot of wonderful and nice girls… All the girls in my room and in my small group are really nice and I’ve made friends with them… Each of them have really cool stories to tell and exciting lives they are leading… I’m really glad I came because I’ve learned a lot about what life is about and how God “wired” all of us to be unique and change the world. The band and Lanny have been talking a lot about Kenya and the kids that we could adopt… I went to Mexico last year and experienced the same things that the interns and band experienced in Kenya… Some people can’t believe the pictures or the videos when they see the people and kids living in slums but it really is like that. The people in Mexico really lived in cardboard houses and that’s hard to imagine that people in the same world we live in have to go through poverty like that. I have a packet at home for adopting a kid that I got at the Sonicflood concert so I’m definitely going to fill it out and send it in so I can help a kid in Africa learn about God and get the supplies that he needs for everyday things. All in all… Florida has been a great experience and a wonderful time… The weather has just been awesome and the water is VERY salty but feels so good!! I am ready to come home though but we’re leaving tomorrow and hopefully the buses are better!! Lol
God bless,
Katey Wheeler
_________________________
Greeting to all from the head zookeeper in room 4413! If you have ever wondered how to entertain 5 freshman boys, just get them a net and show them a beach full of lizards, crabs, large bugs and an occasional unlucky fish. At one time I counted about a dozen amphibious inhabitants of our room not including the boys! The good news is that the boys decided to share their reptile friends with the girls in the room next door.(sorry Angie) Our gift was not warmly received.
On a more serious note, parents you have so much to be proud of this week. The students have been incredible. I am just awestruck to watch them in worship and listen to them during our small group time. Parents, they truly “get it”. Don’t ever doubt that. They are able to address and express their spirituality on a much deeper level than most of us adults ever give them credit for. I wish you could all be here to be a part of this experience called Big Stuf. Don’t be surprised if they come home a little different than when they left. I know I will.
Thanks for sharing your students with us this week and if you have a freshman boy named Trevor, Trey, Andrew, Zack or Bryce you might want to look closely in their bags when they get home. We’re still missing a couple of little green “friends”.
Troy Hershberger
Labels: 2006
From 4412
Greetings from room 4412 in panama city beach florida!! We all are having such a blast here!! It’s my first time to Florida and my first time seeing the ocean so that’s really exciting for me… I came here not knowing anyone and meeting a lot of wonderful and nice girls… All the girls in my room and in my small group are really nice and I’ve made friends with them… Each of them have really cool stories to tell and exciting lives they are leading… I’m really glad I came because I’ve learned a lot about what life is about and how God “wired” all of us to be unique and change the world. The band and Lanny have been talking a lot about Kenya and the kids that we could adopt… I went to Mexico last year and experienced the same things that the interns and band experienced in Kenya… Some people can’t believe the pictures or the videos when they see the people and kids living in slums but it really is like that. The people in Mexico really lived in cardboard houses and that’s hard to imagine that people in the same world we live in have to go through poverty like that. I have a packet at home for adopting a kid that I got at the Sonicflood concert so I’m definitely going to fill it out and send it in so I can help a kid in Africa learn about God and get the supplies that he needs for everyday things. All in all… Florida has been a great experience and a wonderful time… The weather has just been awesome and the water is VERY salty but feels so good!! I am ready to come home though but we’re leaving tomorrow and hopefully the buses are better!! Lol
God bless,
Katey Wheeler
Labels: 2006
Start of the last day.
Lots more
photos here. Today is going great. I can't believe this is our last full day.
Scott
Labels: 2006
Kid Thoughts
Hello from room 4403! We just finished quiet time for 30 min. During quiet time we read our “Wired” book, the God Blogs. He tells us in his perspective on the issues that we have discussed in our session times. It’s pretty cool, because it sounds so real. CRAZY! Haha
So today our people in the room just hung out on the beach. The waves were insane in the membrane. Haha. Our group leader, Mallery brought some cards down to the beach, and we played kemps, and dutch bliltz. (That’s a really fun game just to let you know) Then the rest of the day we rode the waves, and tried to keep sand out of our pants. Today was also really hot, and humid.
The worship here is awesome, The lights are sooo cool, and there are so many screens its so fun, I just don’t know what screen to look at. Yeah I know it sounds weird, but it’s true. The songs and band are really good, and are pretty funny. Especially when Mr. Bigstuf comes out and joking around with the band. But it’s pretty cool.
Tonight we had an M-azing Luau! Haha we had this singer who sounded totally 60’s! (you parents would love it) and we had stuff on the grill, It was good, and today at lunch we got Vault, and energy drink! (glad you weren’t here huh!) Well there were like limbo contests, and everyone got lei’s to wear and some people wore grass skirts! It was so much Fun!!
Well we gotta go!
Room 4403!!
PS. Last night we discovered an amazing box of food. Oh Man, there is so much to choose from. Haha. But also speaking of our room….Its a mess….that’s why we have our blinds closed most of the time. For a while the housekeepers couldn’t even get in to our room to TRY to clean it.
P.S. again….so last night we had to sleep three girls in one bed…lets just say one ended up on the FLOOR!!
Goodbye again, and see you Saturday Morning.
Megan Scherer
Kelsey Derry
Jordan Minear
Kaity Smith
Kyrie maierle
Sena Muta
Kristina Cripe
-Mallery Pierce- Counselor
**Third in bed…
Amazing worship!!!!!
Amazing waves!!!!!!
Amazing group (you guys are awesome and have made this week a very blessed experience for me)!
In Christ,
Lori Rose (aka “The Fearless Leader”)
The Group:
Chelsea Hershberger (aka “Chuck”)
Kaila Higgins (aka “Ernie”)
Sarah Jungbauer (aka “Jung-de-Bauer”)
Emily Readle (aka “the Reade Meister”)
Leah Bateman (aka “Shark Bait”)
Sarah Shilling (aka “The Shill”)
Kayla Yantz (aka “The Prima”)
Caitlyn Kuhn (aka “Roach”)
Kelsey Wogoman (aka “The Wog Meister”)
Faith Hunsberger (aka “The Band Master”)
Brittney Meade (aka “Bert”)
Hello from room 4401 and 4402!
We have had a few interesting experiences so far this week. The first morning, we woke up to battling cockroaches bigger than small children. It is like a tornado went through here…living with 11 other teenage girls. You would think we were pigs. We have had some amazing discussions in our small group (some keeping us up until 4 in the morning) and it has just been an awesome experience to have such a great small group. We all get along and have learned to share the things we have. Tune in next year for adventures from BigStuf 2007!
The Reade Meister and Chuck
Labels: 2006
Thoughts of room 4409
We love the people assign in our room!!
Quite time is amazing and a great way to connect one on one with God!
The speakers have been able to really express and get across the point with their topic.
The Band is Stellar!!! And you can really tell they love to do what they do and worship the lord. Especial Christian and James David… JJJ
The worship session are so easy to feel at home and block out everyone and worship the lord with out worrying about people around us.
All the girls in our room get along great and are very comfortable with talking blunt with each other.
Being able to see such beautiful creation that are different from what we see at home, it makes us think how majestic the lord is.
Everyone agrees that Big Stuf 2006 has been amazing! This has definitely been an awesome experience for all of us.
Labels: 2006
Front Row Seats
The theme for the week is"wired". All week long your students are being immersed in an environment that is driving that theme home. As we unpack the "wired"thought, students are learning that God has "wired" each of them uniquely...and that every area of our life here on Earth exists to be "wired" to our creator. These kids are getting it. Our late night conversations and small group times are leading to some amazing "ah, ha" moments in these kids. God is working...what a privilege it is for me to have front row seats to see Him working on these students.
Labels: 2006
Big Worship
What a great night. It is so inspiring to watch these students worship. I wish that you could see what I am seeing. God is working on the hearts of these students…drawing them to himself. These pictures speak for themselves.
Scott
Labels: 2006
Big day at Big Stuf
What a great day. The kids are having an awesome time. We are really enjoying the main sessions and worship. This mornings talk was about honoring God with our money and resources...and the fact that we are "wired for wealth." (ask your student)
Here are some photo's I shot a few minutes ago of our students during quiet time. I wish you could see and experience this half hour of 2,000 students connecting with God at the same time. Enjoy the photo's.
On another note...the busses. I'll share a little now and more later....but what you really need to know is that we have contracted with a different charter service to bring us home from Florida on Friday. After our experience on the way down here, we felt is was a wise move to pursue a different option for our return drive to Warsaw.
Thanks again for your prayers and encouragement. Your kids are amazing.
In Christ,
Scott
Labels: 2006
Session one kicked off with a huge bang. We were all inspired by the opening worship time, the lights, sound and the opportunity to worship with 2000 other people who are here for the same reason...to connect with God. If tonight is any indication, these next few days will prove to be amazing. Thanks for your prayers!
Scott
Labels: 2006
We Made It!!!
Whew! We finally made it. As I write this, the students are checking into their rooms for a quick minute and then off to our first session. I'm sure that a few of the rooms already look like a cyclone hit. Thanks for your prayers. Looking forward to an incredible week with your students.
Labels: 2006
You would be proud!
Parents...your students are troopers! Even though they are running on 4 hours of sleep and 3 pounds of junk food each, their attitudes and spirits are awesome. As I am writing this, they are overwhelming a McDonalds, an Arby's, a Wendy's and a KFC. I asked one of the cashiers at the truck stop last night if they were well behaved, and he said they were all great. You may not always receive the best end of the behavior, but your kids are hitting it out of the park right now.
Keep us in your prayers, we still have several hours on the road, but all looks good.
Thanks for your prayers and for loaning us your students. I know God has big plans for this week!
Scott
Labels: 2006
On the Road
After a late departure and several stops kids are tired but safe. 10:45 am near Birmingham, AL. On track to arrive at
Big Stuf on time! Ready to experience an awesome time of worship and teaching tonight.
Side note: It's amazing how much snack foods kids can go through at 3:00 am
Labels: 2006
Welcome to the blog!
Dear Parents,
Welcome to the first WCC Big Stuf blog. We will attempt to update this blog once a day with pictures, thoughts and maybe even a few videos from our week. As you browse the blog, feel free to leave comments. You don't have to be a blogger member to leave comments. Simply sign in as "anonymous" and leave your comments. Make sure you leave your name at the end of your comments. Encouraging words to students and leaders are especially welcome. Also, feel free to share your thoughts about the images you see.
I consider it a privilege to be leading your students on this spiritual journey. I'm excited to see the lifechange that is going to take place over the next week. Let's go!
In Christ,
Scott
Labels: 2006
