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