belated Crossroads 2008 wrap up

Well its been a week and a few days since the close of camp. The last week of camp was very exciting, awesome, and sad all at the same time. The guys on my hall the last week were very fun, they called me by the nickname of Twinkie (yellow on the outside, white on the inside) which suits me pretty well I thought and i’m not offended by it. What was really amazing to see God work in was one of the students who kept running in circles about faith and salvation one night, then after Brad and myself explained it a little more to him, get it completely right the next night. It was truly amazing to see God work this summer in the lives of the campers and even the staff.

Myself I’m going remember the community so much, and to live my life with excellence in everything I do for God. Since being home I’ve seen how I’ve changed myself by little things of excellence, like cleaning my room everyday, doing some chores without being asked or an attitude “oh gotta do this”. There is a joy inside just by doing everything with excellence. Hopefully I will be able to continue this as I head back to college in a week and a half. Also to show others what I learned about community this summer. I can’t wait to work staff next year hopefully!

I’m pretty excited to head back as I’m helping lead a Freshmen Seminar class, I see it as a way i get to really share God’s love and message. (Also cause there’s a beach there 10mins away). This year hopefully i’ll do better in keeping up with this blog i keep saying that and just need to do it.

This is what describes the staff community I was able to enjoy at Crossroads…
Acts 2:42-47 (NASB)
“42They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles.44And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; 45and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. 46Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, 47praising God and having favor with all the people And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

Final Week of Crossroads

WOW summer has flown by. We have already started the final week here at Crossroads with early registration tonight, and tomorrow 28 churches coming in for registration and it begins tomorrow night. This past week was amazing and probably one of my favorites so far. I went through a lot as hearing sermons for the 3rd time my burden for my parent’s salvation in Christ grew heavy. God showed me a lot though as the staff prayed for me and he gave me a calm and peace about it the next day, and got refocused on the campers. I really connected with campers a lot this past week in conversation. I can’t wait for this next week to get under full swing but it is truly sad that its the last week. Going to truly miss the community here. 

Pray for the campers this final week, and for God to move in a BIG way as we close out camp. Also, for the staff and our energy.

Psalm 103

 1 Praise the LORD, O my soul; 
       all my inmost being, praise his holy name. 2 Praise the LORD, O my soul, 
       and forget not all his benefits-

 3 who forgives all your sins 
       and heals all your diseases,

 4 who redeems your life from the pit 
       and crowns you with love and compassion,

 5 who satisfies your desires with good things 
       so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

 6 The LORD works righteousness 
       and justice for all the oppressed.

 7 He made known his ways to Moses, 
       his deeds to the people of Israel:

 8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious, 
       slow to anger, abounding in love.

 9 He will not always accuse, 
       nor will he harbor his anger forever;

 10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve 
       or repay us according to our iniquities.

 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, 
       so great is his love for those who fear him;

 12 as far as the east is from the west, 
       so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

 13 As a father has compassion on his children, 
       so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;

 14 for he knows how we are formed, 
       he remembers that we are dust.

 15 As for man, his days are like grass, 
       he flourishes like a flower of the field;

 16 the wind blows over it and it is gone, 
       and its place remembers it no more.

 17 But from everlasting to everlasting 
       the LORD’s love is with those who fear him, 
       and his righteousness with their children’s children-

 18 with those who keep his covenant 
       and remember to obey his precepts.

 19 The LORD has established his throne in heaven, 
       and his kingdom rules over all.

 20 Praise the LORD, you his angels, 
       you mighty ones who do his bidding, 
       who obey his word.

 21 Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts, 
       you his servants who do his will.

 22 Praise the LORD, all his works 
       everywhere in his dominion. 
       Praise the LORD, O my soul.

Week 2 Wrap Up

Another amazing week here at Crossoroads. God is continuing to move in a big way as campers are coming believing God will do great things, and thirsty for Him. It brings me lots of joy seeing the campers giving themselves whole heartedly to ministry and giving their lives to Christ. This past week was “anointed” said Clayton King. As we saw many come to Christ and the staff being overwhelmed in the ratio of staff to campers for advising. 

I am also learning a lot in what i have to change around in my life. Really just taking the initiative more, planning each day out and making it purposeful instead of ‘rudderless’ (Orth). Not fearing anything in my faith and what consequences my pass for my actions of faith. I’ve developed habits here that I want to keep as I head back home. Especially spending more time in the Word of God. 

Week 3 has already begun for us in our weekly routine of things, and early registration starts in about 2 hours and I can’t wait for more campers to arrive. It brings excitement, but wow halfway through the summer camp experience already…I love being on staff for Crossroads summer camp, it truly represents the community in Acts 2.

“Be still and know that I am God” – Psalm 46:10

Week 1 Review/Bringing in Week 2

Week 1 ended up being an amazing week. The best first week for Crossroads in its 13 years Clayton says, and i am glad to had been a part of it. I really had a great time connecting with teenagers on my hall, on activities, and in general. God’s word has also just been really sitting well with me as I read. I’ve been looking deeper into it and what it has to say.To see about 20-30 students that gave their life to Christ on the first night last week was amazing, then many more later in the week, and giving their lives to the ministry…God is on the move in a BIG way. Everything is just rock solid. Sitting and talking with these students that are moved in a big way, really touches me and cause me to even examine myself at times. Seeing the excitement and joy they have for the Gospel and building God’s kingdom.  I am excited for 2nd week to start tomorrow with early registration (i get to see my sistah!). Probably the hardest part will be getting this whole new set of names of students to remember, but God will help me along the way as I learned how to remember names last week.

Another aspect i truly enjoy is the community of the staff here. I do not know how to describe it except God had this community planned out and has brought it together. 

“May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.”
-2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 

shout out to: Dillon, Joey, and the boys from Gethsemane church!

Week 1 under way!

So week one of camp has begun with 4 churches arriving today for early  registration. Training has been great and it’s been amazing being poured into from the Full Time staff. God has put together an amazing summer staff and I have met a lot of amazing new friends. Unity has already taken place with the staff and this community of people is just going to grow bigger as we welcome campers this summer into our community. I am really learning to push through any stiffness/soreness in my body and just have fun. This just does not seem like a “job” at all but it technically is cause i get paid later on. It’s amazing that my focus is on that I’m serving God by being salt and light to the teenagers and not that this is a “job”.

Please continue praying for the ~2,600 teenagers coming through this summer. God is going to do amazing things this summer, and there will be many more servants to the kingdom of God! 

“May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.”            -1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 (NIV)
 

Crossroads Worldwide Summer Camp 2008!

Tomorrow I leave for Crossroads Summer Camp to work as staff. I’m not sure if i could completely describe how excited I am to serve in this way. I was saved at Crossroads July 11, 2002, attended the camp 4 years in between then, and wanted to be on staff. I remember there was one point where I wasn’t sure if I wanted to work at Crossroads anymore, but last year at Summer Forum, Clayton King (the founder of Crossroads Worldwide; claytonking.com) personally asked my sister and myself to apply for staff, and so i did and am working there this year. I look forward to it and what God has in store for the students coming through this summer, Crossroads ministries and myself. Many have asked if i would be able to keep in contact. I had already decided to give up Facebook for the month i’m gone, so i will do my best to keep up and post updates through this blog. Not sure how much internet access i will have, so bear with if you happen to be an avid reader .

Please be in prayer for the middle/high school students that are coming through this summer.

“It’s all about the teenagers”

-to see teenagers lives changed for God’s glory. 
- all 3,000 of them that will be coming this summer
-if any do not know Christ as their personal Savior that this summer will be the defining moment for them. 
-those who have accepted Christ but have not actively sought after Him that this summer they will learn that it’s not just a one time prayer- it’s a continual journey. 
-those who are struggling with the temptations that most teenagers struggle with- wanting to fit in, alcohol, sex, lust/pornography, self-esteem, etc. 
-those who God is wanting to use that this summer they will accept that call. 
-all of them will not use this camp as a “spiritual high”  but rather will go home and live the life of a disciple. 
-they will all come with an open heart…

much love,
k.bui 

“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me[Paul] his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.”                        -2 Timothy 1:7-8