Worship and prayer is THE most wonderful part of the Joni and Friends Family Retreat. Mike and Toni Whaley are the talented worship leaders and their ministry for Joni and Friends is so touching (their son even served at J&F as an STM too). The friendships they have among the campers is so wonderful to witness. Now please don't think they just get up here and sing and are done. Umm..no!! The preparation of the music for camp is pretty extensive. I would think it's not an easy task to choose music that touches campers of all ages, denominations, disabilities and sermon topics, yet they do an amazing job! And not only do they lead the worship music, they also are in charge of the entire talent show. From rehersals to really working one on one with the campers. Toni and Mike are such a blessing to Joni and Friends!
Each morning camp would start out with a time of worship lead by the Whaley's. Then after the campers left for programming the camp Pastor (lead this week by Kevin Cain) would give a sermon to the parents and caregivers. This is a time I so want to stay and listen to because I know I need to hear these messages but I was blessed to have my husband relay his lessons to me...so I was free to go photograph the different childrens ministries.
Kevin and his wife Pam were missionaries a long time ago. And part of his responsibilities included being the pilot...so alot of this camp's lessons related to flying (as well as some very funny tie-ins to What about Bob the movie). My husband took flying lessons all during his teenage years and was intrigued as how he weaved God's message throughtout his stories.
I have known the Cain family for 3 years now (in fact I photographed their beautiful daughter Kelsie last year for her senior pictures). I love how Kelsie came up to me again this year to reassure me that I have made the right directional choice in my career. And her dad Pastor Kevin told me that he felt that I just "get it" and should keep persuing these kids. I really do love my job but every once in a while you need to hear a message of affirmation letting you know you made the right choice. Thanks for your kind words...again I felt like I was served by my J&F family.
Part of what makes camp worhsip so emotional for me is that I know SO MANY of the families and their stories and I pray for them too. I know their struggles and their desires for their chidlren. In fact the week before camp one of the moms called me and we talked for over an hour to update me on her boys (who I also photographed for family portraits this last fall). It was a hard phone call to hear because of the trials they endured this past year. But when I can spend the week capturing the pure bliss on their kid's faces, I feel that I have been blessed indeed!
PS. Kelsie got very sick this week and was rushed to the hospital in severe pain. But you know what she was thankful for..that it actually happened at camp because she knew all her J&F friends would visit her and pray for her. What a wonderful blessing to see in her situation!
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