Reflections on Redcloud – (April 27-August
9,2003)
Phillip Koo
“I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2b)
It is so complicated to summarize this summer’s ministry in such few words. God has truly revealed himself in mighty ways. As Dr. Tolson would say, “He is able.” I have had the incredible opportunity to reach and plant the seed to over 500 kids. Having the ability to show love, and be loved by these kids is amazing. The results are an average of 30 kids being reached for the kingdom of God. I hope to share in small detail of each week’s ministry. There are never adequate words to describe all of God’s work this summer.
Bethel Presbyterian Church was our first group. They brought in a unique mix of kids willing to shake the foundations of the very truth they have put their faith in. During their stay, the pastor spoke about putting to death the deeds of our flesh (Phil. 3:1-10). Something God really spoke to me this week was to consider all things loss for the sake of Christ. For many years, I have considered loss as a sign of weakness, but is it coincidental that a verse about strength (Phil. 4:13) and a verse of contentment (Phil. 4:10-12) should follow one another? I do not think so. I believe Paul understood what it would be like to have strength through tough losses. It is easy to understand why Paul would write, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Phil. 1:21). The group brought a counselor by the name of John Scholl. This man changed my life forever. His joy and passion for the Lord in his servitude humbled me every night as we spoke to one another every night, holding each other accountable in the things of the Lord. He also has an amazing desire to play his bagpipes to perfection! Go Irish! John stayed for another two months serving in the kitchen, from 5:30am – 9:00pm. “These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.” – Hebrews 11:39,40
The following week we had groups from Amarillo, Texas, and Parker Baptist from Parker, Colorado. Amidst much conflict this week was a focal point of many weeks to come. Camp Redcloud had suffered a huge loss as three of its biggest leaders had resigned due to differences amongst the board of directors and them. It was hard to understand as neither of the three leaders had problems with integrity or godliness. This promoted my standing as assistant program director for a few days until a replacement was found. During one of the days in the week I learned country line dancing. That is so fun. Learning to do the do-ce-do, and other various twists and turns got me singing some wild cowboy tunes! Although country line dancing was fun, the greatest thing about this week was getting to room and bunk up with the Parker kids. Parker Baptist brought in 9 kids from their youth group. The group had such a willing heart to serve and love one another that I felt just at home with them. We would spend odd hours at night playing cards, praying, and just talking with one another about their families. There was a girl by the name of Jackie that touched my heart. Her family is currently getting a divorce while both mom and dad are Christians. I continue to pray for her and her sister as they continue to just minister the truth to them. They need to know that there is never a defense to love, and true unconditional love should never merit enough reasons for a divorce (I Corinthians 13:13). This week was the first time we were able to really preach the gospel to unbelievers. The week previous we only had 2 come to know Christ but this week we had over 10.
The third week brought a group from Phflugerville, Texas. The group had just transitioned from their youth pastor resignation and thus brought in a new youth pastor. This group was a wild bunch. The first day they had already begun a Redcloud tradition of creeking at least one person. In one day they had already creeked 10 of their kids. Each of the first three weeks we had something called a crud war. Crud war pitched eggs, flour, seaweed, old chicken batter, carrot and bean soup goo, and other crummy things as we battled each other for the king of the crud. This week the counselors went all out as this was our last week with crud. The battle was long and tough, but it is good to know the staff succeeded in defeating the kids. This group brought in an alternative praise group called Three Nails Short. The entire band slept in my cabin. We spent long nights praying and just learning music as we talked about the kids and their music. I had the opportunity to disciple a senior in high school by the name of Jeff Weaver, who taught me so much more about how to live my life for Christ. It is amazing how God uses people you think you can change, but they end up changing you. We went over an entire doctrinal study of James. This week brought about 10 to the Lord also, but led very well into our next 2 weeks of Day Camp.
Day Camp was two weeks of bringing various unbelieving kids into our camp from around the surrounding cities of our camp. Our first week we had 30 kids, which was below our standards. Day camps started from 7am – 6pm at night, thus having shorter working days, so that we could plan for our next few full regular camps. The next day camp brought in 130 kids! This surprised us as our short staff of 17 raced around finding and needing help in all areas. This week tested our true grit in all areas as our preparation throughout the past few weeks helped us face this week. It is God’s glory that we were able to reach almost 40 kids to the Lord.
The last three weeks brought about the biggest tests as they were our largest groups. The first week brought mostly Christian kids that loved and knew the Lord, which was a surprise to most of our staff. There were still unbelievers so our ministry never ceases. During the week we had A&I Creation Institute come in and do some talking to the youth. It was awesome to hear how intricate God makes our entire body system, and for us to give credit to human theory is such an insult. The following week was Mountain Madness, which brought some of the best athletic kids into camp Redcloud for various activity training. This gave us an opportunity to reach out to some of the best athletic children around, and let them know that there are more things in life than rock climbing, mountain biking, etc… With about 100 kids, we had the opportunity to bring over 30 kids to the Lord. Our last week at Redcloud was not only the most emotional but the most trying as over 125 kids attended the camp. The only difference is that these kids have done drugs, jail-time, and are going through parent divorces and their foolish behavior of using drugs and such. This week put us over 50 in reaching kids for the Lord. We also had many opportunities to minister to them while almost fifty percent of the kids were either detained or disciplined in camp. I met an amazing man this week, Darren. Darren started jail ministry as an ex-druggie, and alcoholic. We roomed together and spent many nights praying that he would continue in this ministry no matter how difficult. For 28 years he had struggled with these addictions, and now he’s praying that God would bring Him back into the fold to minister to those who need Christ.
God has worked through everything this summer. I wish I could share so much more. I’ll be home August 15, hope to see you soon! Here is a quote and a poem I like to share:
“To suffer simply means “to bear under.” A leader is a man who does not groan under burdens, but takes them as a matter of course, allows them, tolerates them-and with a dash of humor. He knows how to keep his mouth shut about his difficulties and how to live a day at a time, doing quietly what needs to be doing at the moment. People will follow that sort of man.” –Elizabeth Elliot
How do you measure success?
To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people
And the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics
And endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty;
To find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better
Whether by a healthy child,
A redeemed social condition,
Or a job well done;
To know even one other life has breathed
Because you lived –
This is to have succeeded -Ralph Waldo Emerson