Hi all,
We have been blessed to get some of the follow up stories from camp - how the campers felt, how the counselors felt and how God has worked during camp and following camp - and we wanted to share these with everyone! We hope that you are encouraged, because we certainly are! Praise God Almighty for the wonderful work that He has done. If you have a story or testimonial to share, please email: meredith@byhisdesignministries.org and we'll post it here.
CAMPER/CAMPER PARENT FEEDBACK: "Hello, this is from Levi Beeks Mom, Michelle: He said it was the best camp and best "time" he has ever had!! Levi came to know the Lord, and my husband Jim and myself are excited to see how Levi can now grow in his faith. It will encourage us to get back into the swing of things (making church a priority) after such a busy summer! Thanks so much Matt and Jason!! you are both so awesome!! We can hardly wait until next summer!! Thanks again, Michelle & Jim Beeks" "The boys all loved Warrior week! They came home full of stories and acted out some of the skits for us--they were hilarious. Next year, Joshua will be old enough to come too and they are all looking forward to it.
Since camp, Michael and Johnathon have decided to get baptized. The Lord is working in their lives. Our gratitude goes out to all of you for building upon His work with precious jewels. Thank you all very much! Yours in Him, Kim Prestenberg"
Counselor Feedback:
"It was awesome as usual! Lisa Burns says that I say this every year, but I really did have the best group of girls this year! The testimony I would like to share with you is not about a camper, but about the other adult counselor that shared the 4th grade girls--The Wacky Watermelons. We just met during camp preparation this year. Other counselors I've been to camp with I went to church with, so staying in touch was not an issue. Cindy not only encouraged and counseled me in the bus on the ride home, but she also followed up with me at my house the week after camp. We are having lunch together this Friday. It is unexplainable how God knows how to put people together. I even mentioned to Ellen how we compliment each other (she confessed that that went in to the decision making of who should be with who). I just want the parents and campers to know that while the campers are making life-long relationships, so are the counselors. We truly care for and pray for and with one another. You cannot compare a God-given relationship to any other. I am so blessed to be a part of this group of women..and getting to know Cindy this year has made me hunger for more. Thanks for letting me share! DeeDee"
"I had so much fun at camp! I was the JC for the 6th grade girls! Let me tell you, those girls are amazing! I haven't had so much fun in the longest time! It was a lot of hard work, but it was worth it all! I have been able to keep up with a lot of the girls, which I have really enjoyed, it's been great! I am so glad that I had this oppertunity this year! I'm definetly coming back again next year too! Glenna"
"Ian here from Warrior Week, first off I just wanted to say thank you for allowing me to serve with you all at Warrior Week. It was truly a life changing experience for me. That week was unlike anything I have ever been apart of. Not only did God work, and move in my life in a way that I haven't experienced before, but also he used me in those boys lives in an unimaginable way. I didn't know exactly what I wanted to say here in this e-mail but I hope it's alright that it came out to be a bit lengthy (pace your self). I don't know I just needed to share it with you I think.
At the beginning of the week it pretty much seemed like a normal camp experience and overall feel, but by Tuesday things had already changed. All the kids, JC's alike, began to break down age barriers between them and amazing things started happen. I'm tellin ya Jason it's incredible. To have a sixth grader spending his free time with a 2nd, 3rd, or 4th grader by choice may not seem extraordinary, but in today's world that's ludicrous. And the way the kids interacted (although I am still missing a considerable amount of flesh from my back) was unlike most boys there age would interact with each other. When you started to talk about everyone being brothers in Christ, which wasn't even the main part of your message, I didn't know what an incredible effect it would have on the boys, because that is a topic that I have been taught at camps growing up and although I had understood the concept I never got the feeling of unity like there was during that week.
The thing that I will never forget from that week is a question that came from a Super Sensai, Hunter, a camper outside of my own Scorcher family. Somehow I started to talk to him, and build a friendship probably from chicken fighting in the pool. At some point during the week a few of the boys, Hunter and I, included started talking about, how old everyone's brothers and sisters were and things like that. When I asked him if he had any siblings, he quietly said "No." And the look on his face suggested that he was a little sad about that after he heard most of us tell funny stories about our brothers and sisters. Anyway later on that day Hunter asked me "Ian, Could you be like my big brother?" It's funny because although I have three little brothers, I have never before been asked that question or anything like that. At first I was taken back by the question. But I felt like although i didn't know what exactly I was going to say the answer that I gave was " I will always be like your big brother." At that moment his face lit up and just then I cared more about that kid, than anyone outside of my immediate family. I was a little weirded out by this. I mean it's kind of weird caring that much about some kid you hadn't known until that week. I still don't know what to make of it, and I still feel that same feeling today. I constantly find myself praying for him and his family whom I don't even know. That question he asked made me think about how I could be like a brother to those around me, and how much alot of people need a brother. From that week on I have had a fire burning inside of me that I haven't had about anything before. My new motto is "Nothing else matters" and by that I mean that living as God has planned for you is the only thing that truly matters, and that I can be like a brother to those around me who don't have one or a friend to those that need a friend. Through you, and Matt, and everyone including the boys at Warrior Week, God has made me Dangerous for Good, and a Barbarian forever. Your Brother, Ian (Junior Counselor & Co-Worship Leader)"
"I've been one of the camp counselors for Warrior Week since the first year. It is one of the highlights of my summers. My grade school son loves the camp, and we are seeing boys advance in their faith and learn how to become "dangerous for good." Matt and Jason (camp directors) are devoted to providing the best summer camp experience possible for boys while providing Christian guidance and quality masculine role models in their lives. Dennis"
"I have served as a counselor for By His Design Ministries for two years now. I have to say that this Christ-centered summer camp ministry has had a huge impact on me and my family, as well as countless young men that attend the camp. The camp is a 5 day event in July each summer. It's amazing what can happen in 5 days. We watch these young men wrestle with the high ropes, climbing wall, water "olympics," Slime Pit Kickball, etc. There is fantastic bible-based teaching, great worship music, and many more fun and exciting events. We also have the incredible privilege of seeing them grow in the Lord, and many each year take the big faith step of accepting Jesus!! It's such a great week. I would recommend this camp to all young men between 2nd and 6th grade. It is nothing short of life-changing for the better!
There is also a girls camp from BHDM that occurs the same week as the boys camp. My daughter attends this camp. She really enjoys getting away for a week to spend time with close friends and wonderful, loving counselors, and worshipping the Lord! I have seen the positive changes in her life and her attitude because of this ministry. My wife was a first time counselor at the camp this year too, and she is "hooked" as well. Brett"
