Our PASSways 2007 group safely arrived at Wingate University yesterday afternoon and were immediately greeted by some very energetic camp counselors. This was only a small indication of what was to come the rest of the day. No one should have that much energy when it's that hot!

Registration complete and suitcases and pillows deposited (in very nice accomodations, I might add), it was off to dinner and then the opening celebration led by the PASSways staff. Lots of games were played, youth directors were embarrassed and church group introductions were made. The youth were then divided into their Bible Study groups for the week and left to go get more acquainted. The leaders and chaperones have their own Bible Study group time with the PASSways Camp Director, Lauren Colwell.  We met up with our youth again for a Vespers service in the quad in front of our dorms and then we had our own group devotion time. We had all had a wealth of information thrown at us in a short period of time, so there were a lot of questions and a little clarification. Boundaries.......we're all learning about boundaries!

Day 1    Our first full day of camp started off with Morning Worship where we learned the theme of the week is "Imagine....." and today we were to "Imagine Stillness" (Psalm 46:10).  Worship was followed by group Bible Study where we talked about what changes we could make to our lives to have more daily time for stillness and knowing God. 

We then all met in a field to meet our missions leaders, have lunch and learn a little about the mission choice we would participate in for the week. Today I will tell you about my group and what we did and each day we'll have someone from another mission choice share with you their experience. My group (which included Kristy Thorn and Meredith Graham) is led by Lindsay from Athens, GA. We went to an assisted living home that is out in the country and apparently not frequented often by visitors. The residents vary in age from young to old, some with injuries that have put them there to terminal illnesses. Some of our group visited residents in their rooms, others played music in the chapel, while several of us went to their activity room and did crafts with some of the reisidents. There was glue, tissue paper, beads and pipe cleaners everywhere, but they all seemed to really enjoy just being with the youth and doing anything besides just sitting! I was so proud of our girls and how caring, patient and loving they were with the residents. Meredith went over and sat and talked with one lady for the longest time, while Kristy was going from one resident to another helping them to complete their crafts. I truly saw how God was working through these youth to brighten a lady's day or give some meaning to a gentleman's Monday. When all the crafts were cleaned up, we joined the rest of our group in the chapel for a good old fashion Hymn Sing with requests coming from all around the room. By the time we finished a few hymns, there was standing room only and residents were coming from all around the building to join in. What a joyful sight to behold!! Tomorrow when we return, there will be more crafts and music and the nurses have asked our group to help brighten up some of the bulletin boards in the hallways. We are up to the challenge and ready to visit our new friends again! They were all so appreciative of our short time there and are looking forward to seeing us again tomorrow.

After evening worship tonight, the kids are all looking forward to the first of several theme parties that are held each evening. Tonight is the "Brainstorm" Rec Party (think dirty games) and we hope to have lots of pictures of wet and muddy youth to share with you soon. Keep checking back to hear more about our time at PASSways 2007 and how we are all learning to "Imagine......."

Blessings,  Laura Fowler