Guest Post From Our Amazing Camp Director, Amanda

Camp BlueSky 2010 summer staff said bittersweet goodbyes at 5:00 a.m. at the Nairobi airport today. After a brilliant safari we stayed two nights at Brackenhurst to clean up, pack up, and sum up the summer. As we tried to savor each fleeting moment together some even attempted to stay up all night. Before dinner, we sat in a circle in attempt to begin to process all that had happened in our lives over the past two and a half months. We watched some video footage of our first week together, laughed at first impressions, and retold stories and good memories. Most concluded that it was a difficult journey that stretched and changed us, but that it was so good. We talked about the funny things that'd happened: the whole camp pausing for a dance party every time one of the world cup songs came on, some staffers who wore spandex at EVERY activity, the great acting and memorable characters that appeared in skits, and even the horrible acting that produced memorable characters in some camp skits. We also talked about the moments that impacted our hearts and changed our lives forever: preaching in Maasai church, praying with a child as she trusts Jesus for the first time, laying in a former cattle pin under the African sky singing worship songs with new (but very dear and loved) friends, and there are many more stories. Almost every person who shared last night made a comment or two about how diverse, yet perfectly placed together our team was. We praised God for how beautifully he wove us into each others lives for this season. It was fun to look back at how each person got involved, how different we all are, and how varied our backgrounds are, yet we worked together so well and each personality complimented the others and the team as a whole. Sure, it wasn't perfect, our team was made up of imperfect fallen people. People who are weak and whose bodies get tired and suffer illness and whose patience wears thin, but we are people who are loved by God and are under the beautiful Grace of Jesus. And we are all so thankful to have enjoyed the blessings of serving Him together this summer.

We would like to thank you for reading about our summer and praying for us. Thank you, also, for giving financially, emotionally, and spiritually. And for all you moms and dads I thank you for sharing your sons and daughters with us! God has done a great work in and through all of us this summer and you are a part of our team.

Those of us who remain here in Kenya are praying your loved ones reach your homes safely and soundly tonight (or within the month, as some of their travel plans are). We pray with thanksgiving for your faithfulness in partnering with us. We pray that God will continue to open all of our eyes and draw our hearts to Him through our experiences and memories of Kenya and this summer.

I hope you enjoy the photos, stories, and some of the smells that still linger on your kids' hair and clothes! And I hope they bought you something cool at the market!