When I came to CP this summer, I knew that I would be stretched beyond my comfort zones but like I've always thought about when praying for brokenness and being pushed outside my comfort zones, I thought for some reason that I would be able to just come out of this experience without sacrificing things (especially my own comfort). Being in the CP community, I have learned through the amazing people God has placed in this community that God uses community and He uses our experiences to make us stronger, not only for Him but for one another so we can be used by Him to minister to one another. I have struggled with being comfortable with who God has made me and backed away from little things He's called me to because I didn't know if I could do it. What little faith! In the CP community though, people give anything and everything they can to glorify Him. This community is teaching me that when you say yes to God in little things He gives you bigger and bigger things to glorify Him with. So many people here have so many talents and hearts that are seeking to serve God and God uses them in big ways! Whether it's making sure that the budget is correct or that there is enough food and good gear for the groups or that they are working hard in the office making sure all the logistics are running smoothly so that the staff out on groups and the youth groups coming have a campground, worksite, places to serve at and an adventure activity to use as a growing experience, I am now seeing how the CP community is like that scripture in 2 Corinthians, that talks about the body and its many parts, how each one is its own part and if it wishes to be something else, the body will be incomplete. By trusting that God has given us each gifts and will use us if we accept those calls that He has made on our lives, in the little moments of the day or the summer-long, year-long, life-time long callings, we are made into a body that we don't always get to see the fruits of our labors but a body that is seeking after God and helping others to pursue Him as well, the most important task in this world. Praise God for His grace and His mercy that even though we are imperfect, He still offers us a place in His kingdom and we are able to be used for His glory. I pray that we can keep trusting in Him and trust that He will use us because we want to see people know Him.
Thank you everyone who has been involved in CP. It is truly a life-changing ministry, I know for me it has helped me realize again that God's grace is the most important thing in our lives, it's not about how well we can complete a job. I hope and I am now trusting that God will use the gifts He's gifted me with in my own life to gloriy Him just like I have seen the rest of the staff and management at CP do this summer.
Thanks God for CP :)

Caves: Going Deeper

     Caving is one of the wilderness activities CP offers.  For training we went through a cave 5 times, leading at least once.  Even having gone through the cave 4 times I did not know the cave until I led it myself.  If I had continued to go through the cave looking only as far as the feet in front of me, I would have been lost if alone.  It was my responsibility to learn the cave and take ownership of it.  Especially since I would one day be leading others.  

     Caving made me ask, how much do I rely upon others for growing in my relationship with God?  And, how can I take greater personal ownership in pursuing my relationship with Christ?  

     I have since shared the cave with my family.  We could have been dangerously lost if I had not taken ownership of learning the cave during my time of training.   In the same way, I am challenged to share my relationship with Christ with others.  

     I am thankful for this challenge to take ownership of my faith and pursue Christ.  I hope that in considering the questions that confronted me while caving, you too have been challenged.

God Bless,

Jess Rupright

Week 3 Bandy Creek!

Week Three took a group of us down to Bandy Creek in the Big South Fork national park down in Oneida TN. I, Maren Banus worked with Katie Baily, Wade Davis and Brian Easterday... the 4 of us had a 35 person trip. Quite an adventure. We were working 4 separate work sites, a wheelchair ramp, two decks and a room addition. I had never been on a home repair trip before... so I was quite a bit nervous, but Wade was there to keep things in order. There were more than a few times where the week felt like mass chaos, but it was also exciting to see God working as well. Our first few days were full of sweaty hard work, with a few torential down pours thrown in. But I would have to say that wednesday night was my favorite of the week.
After worship that night we split up into four groups each of us CP staff taking one. katie and I had the girls, and wade and Brian had the boys. I took my group of girls over to the play ground and we all finally had a chance to actually get to know each other. The girls opened up after a few questions and then after that I had a hard time getting them to be quiet. Which to me wasnt a surprise at all... they are teenage girls after all! But as it turnes out some of them were struggling with the very same home issues and didnt even realize it because they had never been in a place and felt comfortable enough to share their hearts. Watching as God broke down walls between them was a gift. I know for my own life I can look back at camp experiences and see where the Lord was laying down foundations for my future and I can only trust that he is doing that as well with each camper at a CP trip.
On a different note.... there were many interesting things about Bandy Creek and Oneida you should know and remember.... first of all the bugs are vicious! I looked like I had the chicken pox and I have never itched so bad in my whole life! Second, there are few things more glorious than waking up to a thunderstorm right over your head while sleeping under a pavilion. To be that close to the storm but stay dry was exhilarating! Third, there REALLY are bears out there....we saw one crossing the road! So be sure to always keep your food in the car! Forth, kids will surprise you and themselves with what they are capable of when they choose to step up to a challenge. Fifth, whenever possible always make youth leaders happy with ice in their drink...they tend to like you more. :-) Sixth, be sure to tell the power drill whos boss! Seventh and finally ...you are NEVER too old to play in a tree house!!
CP week 3 was crazy fantastic and well worth the long sweaty days and even the bug bites. God is Good!
Blessings, Maren