The following weekend, we saw over 30 volunteers (many of them families) come for two days of labor around camp, helping us begin some projects, complete others, and just enjoy time together. 

We then transitioned into one of the more heavily-themed camps that we do here--the "Whodunit" murder mystery for 9-12 graders.  Deb played a wealthy land owner and developer who (unbeknownst to the campers, of course!) hired me, a crooked security guard, to kill Sir Arthur and steal the diamonds. (Yep, I was the pretend murderer.)  The camp focused on our identity in Christ, as well as our love of God (as in, is it there or not?)  So, for a weekend, we were no longer the Wareings but were Carmella Groomer and Richard Bicker III.  It was quite enjoyable planning out a murder mystery, dressing and acting in character, leaving clues, planning "excuses," and basically laying out the mystery for the senior highers to solve.  

 

I got to see a few campers from years past, one of whom I'd had back in 2007 when I was a Jr. High counselor at Ironwood.  He's now working with his youth group and really wanted his teens to be at camp this weekend.  It's great seeing old friends still serving.

 

Speaking of old friends still serving, Deb, the Bridge crew, and I got to go to Ironwood for their "Oddlympics" Singles' Retreat last weekend.  While there, I got to reconnect with old Program Directors and speakers from summers past.  It's so encouraging to reminisce with old friends and see them still faithfully serving even after ten years.

 

What's next?  Well, our kiddo will (Lord-willing) be born early May, but there's a bunch of stuff between now and then.  I'll be preaching in San Leandro (down near San Francisco) this coming Sunday and in Elko, NV, the following Sunday.  Deb will most likely be doing some sort of piano number and/or congregational playing (people look forward to her more than me in several of these churches!)

 

Pray these visits go well.  The San Leandro church is actually going to vote on whether or not to take us on for missionary support!  And Elko is a church pastored by a friend who simply wants us to expose his church to what's happening here, giving them a chance to get to know us and Wolf Mountain a bit better.  

 

Thanks for your prayers.  Keep Deb and the baby in prayer as we march toward May.  She and the baby are healthy so far, but we all know such things are in the hands of our God.  Pray also for planning and for recruiting, much of which will be done in the next few weeks. (Once March hits, science camp and adult retreats overwhelm anything else, including summer preparations.  So we've got about a month to travel back and forth across the country recruiting, planning games, writing journal entries as part of our summer theme, and basically doing whatever else needs doing before summer).

 

Thanks again for all you've done for us, whether it's financial support, letters, or prayers.  It means a lot to us to know there are people who care for us!

 

For His glory alone!  

 

Mike and Deb Wareing (and baby)