LIGHT FOR THE PATH

Light for the path

JAMIE GRAY | Volunteer SUCAMPS Leader

Iam sure you have heard that verse many times before, and perhaps you have spent a lot of time meditating on it. For me this verse articulates a way that I more often than not experience God—stillness. I am a city girl, born and raised, and I love doing things and hanging out with people— stillness is not a natural part of my life. I still struggle to make stillness part of my routine. That may be why the stillness that I often find at camps, has such an impact on me. My most notable ‘be still and know’ moment happened on a Ponui Senior camp. I was a camper and I believe it was our last day so we were all out on our solo times. I sat partway up a hill, in the grass staring out at the water and horizon and I was so anxious about heading back to the mainland, back to ‘reality’. Psalm 46:10 popped into my head so I started breathing and repeating it to myself until the anxiety was gone and I sat there, still and completely at peace. Knowing that God is God means admitting to yourself that you are not in control but He is. It means acknowledging that life might throw things we do not expect at us, but resting in the assurance that God is a good God. When life throws curveballs (hi 2020) I am reminded to intentionally be still and know that He is God, because when I seek Him, I find Him.

AND KNOW THAT

I AM GOD.” Psalm 46:10

I encourage you this week to find some stillness (it will likely be awkward at first) but find a spot and spend time focusing on God, He’s there waiting for you.

Jamie Gray started her association with SUNZ as a youth camper over ten years ago, and is now Team Leader of Ponui Junior Camp. This article appeared originally as a daily reflection on the SUNZ Instagram page. To see more reflections on scripture visit our Instagram page at instagram.com/scriptureunionnz

OUT &

ABOUT

AUCKLAND SYLVIA COULTER BETTER TOGETHER

In July, North Shore prayer group came to my home. It was school holidays and happened to be the best day for a family visit - eight children, all cousins, ranging from 3 to 13, and two parents. The families were finishing lunch when Andrew arrived early for the prayer meeting so he could catch up with the parents, former SUPAkidz camp leaders. The meeting started at 1 pm, the room arranged so children could play quietly if they chose to be there. They’re arty kids so I put out paper and felts, and the whiteboard had space for drawing. The 10-year-old, a SUPAkidz camper, listened intently. When I invited people to share personal prayer needs, he and little sister each had requests. Some occasionally wandered in and out. At one stage three stood on chairs and decorated the whiteboard, but there was no disturbance: the adults enjoyed seeing them and the children were not bored and may have gone way with enhanced impressions of what Christian faith is all about. As for me, I understood more than ever why SUNZ so keenly encourages families and churches to do things intergenerationally as much as possible.

WELLINGTON JAMUEL ENRIQUEZ

We have been very excited having recently At the moment we are run a successful winter camps season despite currently planning for a very short window to plan our youth camps our AGM which is fast after lockdown! In Wellington, we ran our approaching. The main first youth camp in what feels like several venue is located here in years. This camp was called ‘Be Scene’ which Wellington where the main was a Day Camp. This was a new type of speakers will be livestreamed camp for us which was a 4-day camp where to our other AGM venues all campers went home at the end of the day and across the country. Please pray returned to camp the next morning. It was that this will be a well-attended event also a performing arts camp – another first for so that we can spend an evening with many us! At this camp we used drama and acting as of our amazing supporters. Please also pray the main activity. Campers had an absolutely that the planning will go smoothly and there fantastic and fun time with many showing lots will be no technical issues for our livestream. of talent.

SOUTHLAND/OTAGO KAREN POY

The last few months has seen us in the Southern Office being able to work together again. We are a happy team and love to bounce ideas and brain storm together for our various roles! Lizzie, Nigel and Paul are working on South Island Leaders Training coming up 14-16 August in Pukerau near Gore, this training is done in conjunction with Pukerau Camp and is a combined training event. This year’s theme is This Is Our Story… People love to listen to, read and watch stories. So, what is our story? Who is the Author and why are YOU so important? The night before the leaders training weekend Paul and Lizzie are running an combined Āpōpō Event for the Lumsden, Dipton, Balfour Presbyterian Churches – I have done the training and will be shadowing them so that will be exciting! We are all working towards the Spring Camps now and Nigel is excited to be able to run a SUPAKidZ Camp called Xpedition Force for Years 4-6. This explores the adventures of Matthew following in the footsteps of Jesus. So, much to plan and look forward to –

including warmer weather!