CAN YOU SAY "WOW"?
Wow! is an expression which we sometimes use when something extraordinary happens. WOW also describes an event which I witnessed recently at Camp Io-Dis-E-Ca.
Wow! is an expression which we sometimes use when something extraordinary happens. WOW also describes an event which I witnessed recently at Camp Io-Dis-E-Ca.
During this past summer, WOW took place each Thursday evening at Camp. It's a dramatic presentation of the Gospel, using the Camp counselors as actors, narrators, and stage hands. This year the WOW script was written by some of those same counselors. They did an excellent job in putting this together and presenting it to the campers. Let me tell you about it.
I arrived at Camp in the evening just as all the campers were walking down the road to the canoeing pond. They were led by a tour guide, a counselor, who was also serving as the event narrator. The theme for Camp this year was “In the Name.” In the Name of course is a link back to our baptism “In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”
Hustling to catch up to the group, I arrived just as they were presenting Noah and how God brought him and his family through the flood. Peter said: “When the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water. And corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (I Peter 3:20-21).
After Noah we met Namaan, who was a leper. In the Scriptures, we read of Namaan, “And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored to you and you shall be clean. So we went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God; and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean” (II Kings 5: 10 & 14). The counselor portraying Namaan dipped himself seven times in the pond, representing the River Jordan, and proceeded to walk out of the water to the words of the above Scriptures. In Baptism we have been cleansed of our sins and forgiven!
We embarked upon a hilly walk to the other side of the pond where we found Jesus standing in the water with John the Baptist. John baptized Jesus and we saw Jesus came up out of the water. I couldn't help but to wonder Where are they going to get a dove? when, lo and behold, a dove appeared, hanging down on a string from a pole being held in the background by one of the counselors. From behind us came the words of the Father, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17).
We continued our trek around the pond and our eyes were drawn to a hillside across the pond where Jesus was hanging on the cross. We heard Jesus’ say, “I am thirsty,” and saw the sour wine hosted to his mouth. Jesus then cried, “It is finished,” and we saw Him bow His head and gave up [out] His Spirit.
During this whole WOW evening a sense of awe and respect was evidenced. The campers were very quiet. In silence, the group headed up to the campfire area where the last teaching moments of the day took place. Again, the emphasis was upon “The Name and Holy Baptism.” After about 10 minutes of instruction, we headed to the amphitheater area where we met the resurrected Christ Jesus! We closed the WOW event by singing two verses of I Know that My Redeemer Lives!
Now it was time for the evening campfire. (I noticed that a wonderful fire was lit without even using any paper!) We were led in some fun singing, including the German Song which was new to me. The middle aged school campers present that week really enjoyed and connected with the singing. After a brief skit tying in the idea of name, the Pastor of the Week, Rev. Michael Scudder had a few closing remarks and the campfire closed with the singing of a traditional song of Benediction. It truly was a WOW evening at Camp Io-Dis-E-Ca.
I thank God that we have such a fine Christ-centered Camp to the serve the congregations here in Iowa District East. If you have a few extra shekels, there are many worthwhile needs at the camp which could use your support! Your prayers and gifts and labors will help enhance this wonderful outdoor and year-round learning environment.
To God be the glory!
