Camp 2008
a personal account

This is a personal account of Camp Siloam 2008 by one of our campers. It gives a
summary of the camp as well as a daily account of camp activities.

Camp Siloam is held annually at the Golden Cross Ranch in New Caney, located 50 miles
north of Houston. It's sponsored by the Gospel Association for the Blind, whose motto
and mission is "to win the blind to Christ and to train and equip them to win their
fellow blind." They not only have this annual week of camp, but also seek to win
others and strengthen Christian believers through Braille and taped literature. We call
this Camp Siloam because that was the pool mentioned in John Chapter 9, to which Jesus
instructed the man born blind to go and wash and receive his sight. Siloam is not to be
confused with the Hebrew word "sholom", which means "peace."

Saturday, May 17th. I left early in the morning for San Antonio Airport, where I
caught a Continental Airlines flight to George Bush Intercontinental Airport near
Houston. Arriving there about midmorning, I was met by our head coordinator of guides,
Don Faubert, who got my luggage for me and assisted me to a church van driven by
a gentleman named Art Tillman. Art is one of a handful of drivers from a nearby church
who takes us between camp and the airport each year, and this year was no exception.
After getting a number of us to the campgrounds, I was taken to our lodgings in the
men's dorm, where I was met by my faithful guide and friend, Pat Sargent. Pat has
been my able guide for the last three sessions, and because of his work ministering
to prisoners and others, his people skills are tops! Pat showed me my bunk, whereupon
I unpacked what I needed to and relaxed much of the afternoon.
Supper in the common dining hall (quite a walk from the dorms) was at 4:55, and as
usual it was delicious, as were all the meals at Camp. And after supper at 7:00
PM, we had a brief get acquainted service with singing led by Bro. Bruce Coonce. Bruce
works with the Department of Disabled Student Services Office at Texas State University
in San Marcos and is also an excellent Bible teacher. He led us in our theme song
for the week, "Our God Reigns", and we were all introduced to each other by our fine
camp director, evangelist George Gray, editor of the "Circle of Love" tape magazine.
After talking a little about the Gospel Association for the Blind, George closed
with a brief message, and we all adjourned and retired early for the long day ahead.
Sunday began with breakfast, followed by our trip to Cornerstone Baptist Church in
nearby Porter, where we would all attend Sunday School and morning service. The
folks welcomed us warmly, and some of us supplied special music during the service.
Brother Coonce gave the sermon.

After service, we were all treated to a sumptuous lunch-fried chicken, corn-on-the-cob,
various salads, scrumptious desserts, soda or tea or coffee. Who wanted camp food
after that? Then, back to the campgrounds.
That afternoon, new campers had their pictures taken in the Dining Hall for the Gospel
Association for the Blind magazine 'Jottings', and there was an orientation session for new guides.
The rest of us napped a while or simply relaxed, and after all that, some of us went
swimming (or in my case, splashing) at the Olympic-sized pool, complete with three
slides!
After supper, we had a service at which we took up an offering for a missions organization
called The Hope of Israel. And George preached a very powerful and convicting sermon
on the reality of Hell. One young lady came forward that evening during the invitation,
asking Jesus into her heart!

After service, many of us went on a hay ride around the grounds, and that was a lot
of fun! Lights out and quiet at 11:00 PM.

Monday, May 19th. Andy Gray, George's son, started the day off with morning devotions
at 7:15 for those who wanted to attend. He read a Bible passage, commented on it
and took prayer requests. This was to be the agenda every morning at that time,
and these sessions were well attended.
After breakfast (at 7:55), we had our 9:00 am morning service, which consisted of
singing various Gospel songs and hymns (led by Bruce Coonce), prayer, salutes to
the US and Christian flags, salute to the Bible, Bible Trivia and the theme "Why
Pray." The Bible Trivia was fun, and a number of us won various gifts for accurately
answering some question. The first to stand up and answer would win something (can
of Pringles, box of candy, a CD or other items). Generally, one could only win something
once. I won a worship CD.

There was nothing after the morning sessions were over, so far as I can remember,
till lunch at noon. And after lunch, some of us went horseback riding and later,
swimming. I napped after horseback riding, as I was quite tired out.
After supper on Monday evening, another service with another message by Brother Gray.
Another young lady came forward, indicating her desire to receive Christ, and there
may have been some other decisions made about other issues in their lives.
Another hay ride and a trip to the Dining Hall for "snack bar." There, one could
purchase candy, chips and other "junk food" or sodas. But I think most people went
to just hobnob. Lights out at 11:00 PM!
Tuesday, May 20th. After breakfast, we all boarded the bus to the Houston Ship Channel,
where we boarded a pleasure boat called the Sam Houston. As we rode, the captain
pointed out various things we'd see along the way. You could hear him better if
you were outside on deck close to some speakers, as opposed to being inside the cabin
(or whatever that was.) It was a very fine cruise, and the weather cooperated nicely.

After lunch at a nearby Burger King, we piled onto the bus for the trip back, arriving
sometime in the afternoon. After that, some of us went swimming, and others watched
a Christian video called "Fly Wheel".

Supper later on was followed by the evening service at which we had a guest speaker,
Pastor Dan Farley of Shady Acres Baptist Church in Houston. He's always been a very
lively and gracious and spirited guest speaker all these years, and this year was
no different! When he remarked about the candidates running for the Presidency,
he mentioned that he tried to vote for Donald Duck, but alas! That name wasn't on
the ballot, and he had to apologize to his church members about that (said he), having
told them he'd vote for that cartoon character. Next time, quipped he, he might
try for Mickey Mouse!

After the service, we had the first of two talent shows. Various participants sang,
read poetry, gave recitations, told jokes and did what talent show participants always
do, and we had a good time doing that. Lights out at 11:00!

Wednesday, May 21st. Devotions, breakfast, another morning service with another
teaching on the necessity of prayer as led by Brother Coonce. And after the session,
George gave a talk about various independent living aids for blind folks. He demonstrated
a couple of reading devices with speech, including two "Talking Bibles" and something
called the Victor Reader Stream. This particular piece of equipment would allow
you to read books and articles you can transfer from your computer onto it. Or you
can record notes, play mp3 files and do all sorts of other things too lengthy to
mention here. I want to get one before the year's out!

That afternoon, we had a visit from the mobile unit of the Houston Zoo. They talked
about the "survival gear" many animals use. We saw a live tortoise (land turtle),
a live lizzard of some sort, and various things such as elephant tusks, armadillo
shells, furry pelts of one sort or another. It made for quite an interesting afternoon,
and the two who came from there gave an excellent presentation.
After that, some of us went swimming again, and others finished watching the video
"Flywheel." And then after supper, another evening service, followed by relaxation
and fellowship before retiring for the night.

Thursday, May 22nd. After the morning service, some of us participated in a game
called "Hit and Run". We used what's called a beep baseball. This is a ball in
which a beeper is placed so that a blind person can hear it coming. One uses either
a metal or wooden bat to hit that ball, but it sure helps when somebody with sight
tells us when to swing.
We counted off as one or two and formed two teams. Each of us had a chance to swing
at that beeping object maybe nine or ten times till he could connect. A guide would
run with us to first base or whichever other bases, where a camper was stationed,
and that camper would have to say something in the process, so the one at bat would
know which way to go.
This was not a full game, nor did we play according to the rules of beep baseball;
we just wanted to get a chance to know what it was like to play. I'm told I hit
a home run-my first and only ever! BTW, there are beep baseball teams across the
country and even one in Taiwan, according to the sport's website:

http://www.nbba.org

(NBBA stands for "National Beep Baseball Association.)
After lunch, some of us went swimming, others napped. And after the evening service,
another talent show, and this one was really long, as we had 19 entries! Lights
out at 11:00!

Friday, May 23rd, the last full day. More low-key. After the morning service, folks
began to pack for their trips home. After lunch, there was a session for the ladies
with Bette Gray (George's wife), while we men napped or talked or simply hung out.
And one final swim later that afternoon!
After the evening service, we had a campfire, and I'm so glad something was done
to keep the bugs away! Campers and guides alike shared about what the week meant
to them or about something the Lord had taught them that year. It's a very meaningful
time and for some, very emotional. After all, some of the campers have only an empty
apartment to return home to and perhaps no church or few friends or even maybe a
dysfunctional situation! It makes me feel blessed many times over to know that I've
a loving wife and a warm church and quite a number of wonderful friends to come back
to, all welcoming me with open arms!

Saturday, May 24th. Many of us were up early, as folks would be leaving early.
And since there was no breakfast in the common Dining Hall, those who wanted it would
have to go over to Sunset Dorm where it was being served. Breakfast being cereal or cinnamon
rolls or "pigs-in-a-blanket" bananas, juice and coffee. But hey, it tied us over and was very very good!
Good-byes are always painful, so amid all the hugs and "see you laters", I got in
the van at 7:30 for my trip to the airport, leaving Houston at around 10:00 am and
arriving in San Antonio at 11:08. All in all it was a GREAT week!

written by Duncan Holmes