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This camp was interesting and a testimony for me. As last year there was a winner's circle. The winners for the days event got to eat BBQ steak, and Crab, along with a salad and desert – not your regular camp meal.
To get into the winner's circle was determined by points accumulated from the days games. The games where usually: Bible quiz, listen to quotes and select which tape it is, field questions on a timed event for selected tapes (tapes one was suppose to listen to before camp), volley ball, and maybe another couple of athletic events. The winner's circle was sponsored by the minister in charge of camp – he thought it would be good for those who really gave their all.
So for last year about the second day of camp, the team I was on ended out tying for first place. It was decided that a sudden death show down to be determined by asking message question. We lost on the first question. That was okay, for the team we lost to, had a member I thought should be in the winner's circle.
Well the rest of camp went fine, with the teams I was on usually placing decent, but Friday rolled around the last day of camp. Throughout the day, our team placed high, and by supper time it was announced that there was tie, and immediately I thought – NO not again. This time we filed outside while everyone lined up. Again it was sudden death showdown, this time we went 3 or 4 questions before our team answered wrong.
This was too much, not because we lost, but I knew the answer and choked up, and didn't say it and say our answer was wrong. At least voice my opinion, and if over rode that would of be fine, But I didn't say a thing. So I went by a tree, and prayed. Thanking for losing, yet regretting not speaking.
This year for Camp we had another four tapes to listen to:
The Kinsman Redeemer (60-1002)
The Handwriting on the wall (58-0309M)
A Super Sense (59-1227E)
The Anointed Ones At The End Time (65-0725M)
After listening to Marriage and Divorce (last tape in 65 for me), I listened steadily to the camp tapes for about 7 weeks and took notes. We weren't allowed to use notes at camp which was fine for me, as memorization or looking at notes was not was what I wanted to depend on, but getting something for my soul was the objective. Ever since our Genoa (Missionary) meetings, camp laid before me, and anytime I prayed for I thought “Lord I don't want no more sudden death showdowns, just outright knowing where I stand” So be it.
This year camp events where : Pictionary – both bible and message, bible trivia, listen to quotes and pick which tape, volleyball, tug a war, and field event with 5 questions for each camp tape. Also the points emphasis was a lot more for bible and message games. Again the week progressed, and every day which team I was on did fail but clearly. Mentioning last years sudden deaths to a deacon, his reply was you prayed wrong. Well yes, it would be nice to win, but it didn't matter, but it got me to thinking I may be running from a problem – I didn't want to face a sudden death. “Lord whatever you want”
On the last day the teams weren't coed. Instead six teams of girls and six of men. The only part to be coed was the camp tape questions. We were number 4 team and paired with number 4 girls. We scored exceptionally high on those questions, and got bonus points for complete pages with correct answers. Our female partners did very well in all events, however the camp minister tested the team attitude by purposely announcing them in third place. The first place girl's team was suspicious of their placing, and shortly afterwards the true winning was announced ( and yes our partner team maintained a good attitude).
For us things didn't go so well. On the physical side we lost ground and terribly so. Plus I cracked a rib ( ouch – laughing hurt). When the men's winner was announced it wasn't just a two tie, but a three way for first – and yes my team was in. No sudden deaths all week, but my attitude change and here is one, and against two other teams. My thought “ Here we go Lord”
It was decided 5 points would be given out, 1 for a stump tug a war between our best man and the opposing teams, and 4 for message questions ( 2 for each question). It wasn't going to go easy for us, we didn't get a by, so our man on the tug a war had to fight twice if we won the first. Amazingly, he (Raymond) did, with his stump almost giving out and against some stiff competition – but his thoughts were like last year's camp – 'could one win on last of camp, and he did last year, so it could happen again'.
Now came the questions, we filed out of the tent, into our teams, well separated from each other. If we got both questions right, with the tug of war win, we would have the winner's circle, but anything could happen.
I looked around and thought, this is unusual, this is the third time for me Lord. Three is your number. And not just one other team but two. Anticipation was rising in me. I was facing what I was running from. My attitude change and it's sudden death.
One of the camp counselors – Judah was on our team and suffering a severe migraine headache for most of the day. Scott said we should pray for Judah, and we did, but no mention on what should happen for the game ahead ( which was wonderful). Afterwards I spoke up, and said 'if any one knows the answer don't choke up, speak it ' ( this pep talk was more for me than anyone else).
Now Bro. Alan and Bro Bates came with the questions. First question was:
In the Kinsmen Redeemer what did the handful of Barely represent:
a. A good meeting
b. healing
c. Revelation
d. A sign or wonder
e. all of the above
Raymond asks me, and all of sudden all eyes are me, I said it represented a healing, and a revelation, Raymond says than e. all of the above. Yes, I replied that would be the one. 2 points
Next question, in Super Sense what did the group of ministers say to the man with Polio?
My reply “you're bringing a reproach to Christianity”
“you sure” “yes”
A slight debate = 1 point for the answer is
“You're bringing a reproach upon the cause”
Now they wander off and do both the other remaining two teams together. One of them gets three points just like us, and like us got only one on the Super Sense question. They messed up on the word of reproach, and got cause. If it wasn't for Ray's valiant showing on the tug of war it would have been a tie. We won!!
Yes tears were flowing, for me the winner's circle had a special meaning. It was a hard fought battle. Being elevated was not the objective, nor special treatment and the meal neither. For as Bro. Alan gave a mini sermon on our win: Doing our best, each member playing their part, gaining the prize set before us. Winning this is nothing in comparison to that day when we shall see Jesus and sit down at His Table. (Also for me, it was a way of redemption, my performance I felt in the physical games was poor, but in the message and scriptures was my turn).
So on the last day, the third sudden death for me, we sat down for steak and grab, a beautiful salad and desert plus a special treat of tri cut that was well marinated. Team 4 boys made it as well as team 4 girls.
And for my cracked rib, I got prayed for next day (hoping it just a bruise). By Monday the major pain was gone, but it took about two months to finish healing. Did I see a doctor – big negative – they would only tell me what I knew and charge me for it to boot, and money is in short supply. So it is Jesus the great physician.