Report of Camp 2009

Our annual Camp Siloam for the Blind in New Caney, Texas began on Saturday, May 23rd at the Golden Cross Ranch. This Christian campground has been in operation for close to 50 years with a spacious 100% acre campground! The camp is located just 25 minutes away from Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport. All campers were met at the airport by Don Faubert and Andy Gray our airport coordinators and then shuttled by van to the camp.

Saturday afternoon involved the campers and guides getting settled, making up their bunks, unpacking and getting acquainted with other campers. If there were medical needs a nurse was on hand to take care of that.

After supper, there was a brief service in which we introduced ourselves, sang and heard a message from our director, the Rev. George Gray. (At Camp, folks liked to address each other as Brother or Sister so-and-so.)

Sunday, the 24th. After breakfast, we had a morning service in the chapel, led by
Brother Gray and our morning Bible teacher, Bruce Coonce. This was followed by a
photo session for first-time campers and a meeting for the guides in the afternoon.
We had pizza for lunch and dinner that day! Sunday afternoon there was also a time to go swimming.

We had another service after supper that evening and were scheduled to have a hay ride
after the service, but because of a thunderstorm earlier that day,the hayride was postponed until Wednesday night .

After every evening service, people gathered at one of the dorm lounges for sodas, popcorn and snacks. And
fellowship, of course. The lounges are equipped with comfortable chairs and couches and the atmosphere is quite homey.

On Monday we began the day with a short devotion and prayer time with Andy. After breakfast we went to the chapel where we pledged the Christian flag, the Bible and the American flag. Before Bro. Bruce's message on the disciples, we sang and played Bible trivia.

After lunch, some of us went to WalMart to shop for things we might have forgotten
to bring or for things we might need for the week of camp. There was also time on Monday to go swimming if you wanted to and many campers and guides took advantage of this activity.

At the evening service we sang Gospel hymns, learned a memory verse, (John 3:3), enjoyed special music and heard a message "Jesus, the Light of the World.

On Tuesday we had a special Mexican lunch of tacos, rice and beans and ice cream for dessert. It was excellent. Then some of the campers went horseback riding while others stayed behind and rested on their bunks. Later that afternoon there was also a time for swimming, and then supper and the evening service with a guest preacher Pastor Phil Dunn. His message touched many hearts. At 8:45 we had the first of two talent nights and we all enjoyed the singing and skits.

Wednesday, the 27th. After the service in the morning, there was a session called Independent Living Tips. Many helpful tips, websites and other information was given to us to help us in our daily living.
In the afternoon, we were visited by Dale Campbell, proprietor of the Blind Mice
Mart site, an online gift catalog service. He also sells various aids and appliances
for the blind, such as talking clocks, household aids and other things. It was great
to meet him and his wonderful mother. We had opportunity to purchase some of these aids and appliances.

Later that afternoon, some of us viewed the video, "In Search of the Real Mount Sinai",
which, according to this video and the Scripture passages cited, is actually in Arabia.
You see, the Ten Commandments were handed down while the Israelites were still on
their wilderness journey, and the Epistle to the Galatians refers to this Mount Sinai
as being in what was then Arabia. This was a very interesting documentary.
We had another hay ride that evening after the service. Hay rides are fun! We rode
through the woods, heard the myriad frogs and other insects (plenty this year, thanks
to the rain) and had a great time. BTW, after each hay ride, we had a visit from
the ice cream vendor. I love ice cream sandwiches, and these particular ones were
delicious.

Thursday, the 28th. In the afternoon, we saw the movie "Fireproof", starring Kurt
Cameron of "Growing Pains" fame. I recommend this movie highly, especially for married folks or those contemplating marriage.
The Thursday evening talent show was great, but then, most all of them have been
good.

Friday, the 29th. We began to think about "Packing up!" That afternoon, the ladies had a meeting with Bette Gray in the Sunset Dorm. They examined the 23rd Psalm and afterward had an opportunity to go through some very nice clothes donated by a lady who is dying of cancer and who wanted to share!
Some of us guys met and learned a little about knot tying from one of the guides Pat Sargent.

The Friday evening camp fire after service was meaningful, as campers and guides shared about their lives or about how God worked in their lives through the week. We roasted marshmallows and listened to each other
share how the Lord has been working in our lives. And thus ended another year of
camp!

Saturday, the 30th. Good-byes are never easy, especially if you live alone or have a situation to go back to that's not exactly pleasant. Most, though were looking forward to getting home and telling their family and friends about camp. I look forward to Camp next year, God willing.

In closing, I just want to say that I hope you have the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ
in your heart. But if you don't know Him or aren't sure, isn't it time to meet Him
as your Rescuer from the penalty of sin? Admit your need of Him, accept Him and
His finished work on the Cross for you, ask Him to forgive you of your sins (and
He will), and embrace Him as your Lord and Savior! Do it now, while you may!

Here are a couple of comments on the week from a camper and guide:

I just wanted to thank you for your teachings and awesome Sermons, and a great time
at camp this year. It was enlightening refreshing and refilling. I really enjoyed
myself. Thanks to the GAB, you and the guides for a great week!....J. Murphey

I really enjoyed being a guide at camp
and will look forward next year to possibly doing it again. I learned a lot from everyone
and most especially from your teachings. I also loved Brother Coonce's bible study.
Thank you for the priviledge of working with you....Guide Liz Rochester