this past weekend was the refuge’s 5th annual camping trip. for all kinds of reasons, it is one of my favorites. i think that camping is the highest form of church.
it draws us together as a community in a unique way that our regular gathering can’t always do.
it’s natural & unplugged. just a lot of friends hanging out together, with plenty of time on our hands to just hang out, eat, laugh, talk, nap, be together with no hurry to get home or to the next place.
we share easily. coffee passed around, marshmallows and graham crackers busted out. wood tossed into the pile. tents and sleeping bags spread around to those who need them.
kids & grownups all mixed up together. everyone’s looking out for each other’s kids. the kids form new bonds (capturing frogs definitely bonded a big chunk of them together this year, ha ha). we get to share the load of love and support together.
baptisms, yeah! to me, there’s nothing better than seeing friends take the step that says “i am choosing to follow Jesus and i want you to be part of it with me.” it’s a reminder to me that God is at work, stirring hearts and moving us in our faith.
there’s no agenda except for being together. that’s one of my favorite parts. there’s no program, no huge plan, nothing contrived. just friends together, learning the ways of love.
what’s your favorite part?
My favorite part of camping is never knowing what time it is.
singing around the campfire.
sitting on the beach watching the kids play in the water and the sand and chatting with friends!!
I love that you dont have to dress up, you dont have to smell great (only better than the lake. lol), and everyone shares.
Amy’s penny whistle playing around the campfire.
[...] post i wrote for communitas collective–a place to practice. i also wrote this little piece for the refuge blog on our annual camping trip & why i think it’s the best form of [...]
for me this camping trip was a lesson in learning to relax and trust people I have never met before. It was wonderful!! It has now been 3 months and I can still recall sitting around the fire the first night. As ’strangers’ we were immediately included and enfolded.
Can’t wait to get back to visit. Thank you