“I liked the worship singing and the missionary from Madagascar.” –David J.
“I carried a full bucket of water back from the creek and everyone on my team was so surprised. As a little child in India I carried water on my head like this.” –Muniamma
“We won the “Running Water” race fair and square, even though we didn’t get the prize.” –John
“I’m trying to figure out how we can take more stuff to the tribal village (overnight camp site). If everyone wears cargo or camouflage pants we can fill our pockets.” –Christopher
“I’m learning Jesus is in control of everything. If somebody is afraid, I can tell them about Jesus. They may not believe the first time, but they might the next time. You just have to keep telling them in a way they can understand.” –Harmony
“Sometimes tribal people go naked.” –Jonah
“During the night games in the village I was so disoriented.” –Micah
“I like everything about Missions Camp except the night games. Well, I liked the boar hunting.” --Aurora
“I felt rebellious and angry when the colonialists came, especially when they took things off our tribe’s holy tree.” –Andrew R.
“I learned how the tribal people were cheated in the activities.” --Ashley
“When they (white people) write books, they take sides and they try to make you believe the other side (Native American Indians) is the wrong side.” --Dane
"When missionaries work with a tribe and learn their language sometimes it takes a long time before anyone hears about Jesus." --Ehud
“Missionaries can tell people about God using their talents and abilities.” –Caleb
“Everyone has a special talent.” –Jeremy
“All the musical instruments were cool!” –Lilly
“I was excited to hear the missionaries from Senegal talk because my mom lived there before I was even born.” –Emma
“Mission Camp is a lot of fun, especially the waterslide! Thumper is a great counselor.” –Kimbrlee
"I just wanted to send a thank you to everyone at Jonah Ministries. My daughter... had such a great time at camp. She learned many life lessons through your ministry. Our thoughts and prayers will be with Jonah Ministries, and we will be seeing you all next summer. Again, thank you so much. God Bless,Laura"
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Mission Camp 2008
Sunday night the campers divided into two groups and spent time talking about what it means to be tribal. They brainstormed features to make their tribes look distinct.
The Digo tribe drew markings on their arms. 
The Malagasy men and women wore bright cloth wraps.
Monday missionaries helped campers understand the layout of a village hut compared to an American home.
They played "Running Water" simulating water being hauled to the village. The "water spirit" demanded offerings at the creek before a bucket could be filled. She was fickle and the campers never knew what would please her. Campers were getting a glimpse into the fear tribal people feel every day of their lives.
In the afternoon both tribes moved into their village huts. Their chiefs instructed them in the ways of their tribe. The Malagasy hut doors all had to face the same direction, each house had a holy corner and in the middle of the village was the spirit tree. The Digo chief tied a strip of bright cloth around his head, counselors tied them to their arms, campers tied them to their waist, leg or ankle. The higher up the band was tied the more important the person.
Tuesday some Native American Indians from the Yakima Nation visited the village. The speaker began by comparing the 12 tribes of Israel to the 14 tribes of the Yakima. Even in Biblical times God worked through tribes. Missionaries wanting to impact a tribe must first observe and come to understand the people and their ways.
Then the men sang a song of praise to God and drummed as the women danced.
A native from Papua New Guinea and an interpreter visited the campers and told of the spirits his village lived in fear of. When something bad happened they knew the neighboring witch doctor had cursed them so they would kill him. There was a lot of killing. When he was a young man white people came to live in his village. The missionaries learned their language and translated the Bible. The natives learned the God of the Bible was stronger than the spirits and loved them. When the villagers became Christians they started caring for and loving the neighboring tribes. In Papua New Guinea 170 tribes have a Bible in their language, but 694 tribes are still waiting.
Wednesday A missionary from Madagascar has a daughter who started a school there. The children attending Fitiavana (love) School are either mentally or physically handicapped. The campers gave $300 out of their snack shack money to help buy a bus for the school. During the offering times they danced and dropped their gifts in a basket.
After a missionary to Senegal and Morocco spoke about the elements of music that was particular to these people, the campers divided into small groups and wrote songs of praise to God. They chose bible verses for the words, made up a catchy tune, and made rhythm instruments from things found in nature, such as, seed pods, rocks, and sticks.
Thursday When parents arrived campers gave them a tour of the interpretive center. They visited prayer stations, viewed a movie about Kids Missions Camp 2008, and watched a missionary make a chalk drawing. There was food to eat, native items to buy, missionaries to visit with, and wild boars to hunt.
The Digo tribe drew markings on their arms. The Malagasy men and women wore bright cloth wraps.Monday missionaries helped campers understand the layout of a village hut compared to an American home.
They played "Running Water" simulating water being hauled to the village. The "water spirit" demanded offerings at the creek before a bucket could be filled. She was fickle and the campers never knew what would please her. Campers were getting a glimpse into the fear tribal people feel every day of their lives.In the afternoon both tribes moved into their village huts. Their chiefs instructed them in the ways of their tribe. The Malagasy hut doors all had to face the same direction, each house had a holy corner and in the middle of the village was the spirit tree. The Digo chief tied a strip of bright cloth around his head, counselors tied them to their arms, campers tied them to their waist, leg or ankle. The higher up the band was tied the more important the person. Tuesday some Native American Indians from the Yakima Nation visited the village. The speaker began by comparing the 12 tribes of Israel to the 14 tribes of the Yakima. Even in Biblical times God worked through tribes. Missionaries wanting to impact a tribe must first observe and come to understand the people and their ways.Then the men sang a song of praise to God and drummed as the women danced.A native from Papua New Guinea and an interpreter visited the campers and told of the spirits his village lived in fear of. When something bad happened they knew the neighboring witch doctor had cursed them so they would kill him. There was a lot of killing. When he was a young man white people came to live in his village. The missionaries learned their language and translated the Bible. The natives learned the God of the Bible was stronger than the spirits and loved them. When the villagers became Christians they started caring for and loving the neighboring tribes. In Papua New Guinea 170 tribes have a Bible in their language, but 694 tribes are still waiting.Wednesday A missionary from Madagascar has a daughter who started a school there. The children attending Fitiavana (love) School are either mentally or physically handicapped. The campers gave $300 out of their snack shack money to help buy a bus for the school. During the offering times they danced and dropped their gifts in a basket.After a missionary to Senegal and Morocco spoke about the elements of music that was particular to these people, the campers divided into small groups and wrote songs of praise to God. They chose bible verses for the words, made up a catchy tune, and made rhythm instruments from things found in nature, such as, seed pods, rocks, and sticks.Thursday When parents arrived campers gave them a tour of the interpretive center. They visited prayer stations, viewed a movie about Kids Missions Camp 2008, and watched a missionary make a chalk drawing. There was food to eat, native items to buy, missionaries to visit with, and wild boars to hunt.
Monday, July 7, 2008
MAD Camp 2008 (Music And Drama)
Day 1
The campers met their counselors at registration and were whisked away to begin camp. The day was filled with snacks, crafts, games, auditions, verse time, Bible story time and more! Camp ended with a bang, literally. A family barbecue was served at the close of the day just in time for a thunder and lightning storm.
~Snacks, mmm...otter pops!
~ AuditionsDay 2
Learning music and choreography was our goal on day 2. The highlight of the day, however, was the ever-popular slip-n-slide and water games. The kids seemed to really enjoy being able to throw water balloons at a live target (their counselor).
~ Music and choreography led by Cheeto, ZIA, PBJ and LOG 
~Slip n' slideDay 3
"Wacky Tuesday" was enjoyed by all! It was fun to see the personalities come out on this wild and crazy day.
~ Wacky Tuesday!
Day 4
Work, work, work. With only 2 days left, there was much to be done! We happened to squeeze in a basketball tournament and a complete run-through. It is so exciting to see things come together!
~ perfecting choreography
~ basketball tournament
Day 5
The last day! Amazing!
The staff worked tirelessly on the set all week, and it shows - I have never seen anything quite like it! Our last day was filled with a complete run through, boat races, resting and the much awaited performance. The clarity of the message in this musical was excellent. God's gift of salvation is free through Jesus Christ! We serve a great God!
~Boat races
~Set
~Performance
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