Evan Moon of Atlanta, GA
The characteristic of selfless community was most striking during the campout. Kids were sharing their bikes and toys as if screaming “that’s mine” was not in their vocabulary. Just a strong feeling of welcome and acceptance. I was raised up going to church and have been working in the church throughout my life. The level of honest acceptance by this community was remarkable. I continue to be impressed by it.
My example. I arrived with 7 others from Atlanta all packed in a van with all our gear in a trailer we pulled. We arrived and set up camp. They mentioned needing fire wood and I said I would be glad to go with them. Jason and 2 men I had not met and myself load up in a truck and head off. This trip ended up being a 3-hour go all over the place trip. Here we are in a truck together for three hours but never once did I feel like the odd man out. They explained a story if I was missing some details. We shared honest truths about our struggles and life’s challenges. The whole weekend felt like a continuation of this deep openness. The only arguments were servants trying to serve each other.
Now I know that every day is not perfect and we all have bad days. But this was vacation when many people drop all their fakeness at the door and are just real. Selfishness replaces patience and people just say what they think. Well it would seem that selfLESS is part of who GKC is and if you have been feeling unaccepted then you should find GKC to be a wonderful group of people.
Sudhaker Muthyala of India
I am Sudhakar Muthyala from India, doing Postdoc at Georgia Tech, Atlanta. My friend Claud gave me an opportunity to enjoy the camp at Oak mountain state park, Alabama.
The camp was held from May 23 to May 26. Being an Indian, which I never experienced the things which I had experienced in this camp made me so overwhelmed and encouraged. Here are few things which we consider as adventures as well as fun.
- As I don’t know swimming and Kayaking, Mr. Jon Womack was gracious to teach the basics of swimming as well as kayaking. It was really fun for me.
- The amazing experience I had with while doing canoeing with one of our friends. The lake which is serene and surrounded by green blushful mountains made us overwhelmed and just enjoyed in God’s creation and just recollected His greatness and Glory.
- Fishing while canoeing. Though we did not get fish but that was really fun.
- Bicycle trailing – it was amazing and I never did in my life. Justin Richard, Alex Torres, Evan Moon were other friends who had fun along with me.
- Morning time – going into deep woods, sitting beside the lake, just recollecting all the past how God saved me from my sins through Christ’s blood, His abundant grace and love, His mercy on me and on my family. Then giving him praise, reading the word and praying for my future ministry. It was incredible experience.
- Spending time around the camp fire at night, sharing others life experiences in God, and people’s personal lives and sharing the prayers requests was encouraging and renewing our faith.
- Discussions with Prima, Elzebea and Claud taught a few things about South Africa.
- The amazing thing was the way Jason, Jon, Andrew’s families arranged things, prepared the food – it was awesome and without them, we would have not enjoyed the camp.
- Viewing Mars, Saturn and Venus planets through telescope was my first experience and I am thankful to Scott.
- Attending baseball game, taking pictures with Aaron Nola along with Michael was unforgettable. Again watching an International baseball in a stadium was my first experience. I am thankful to Michael and his family.
- Meeting Pastor David Platt at Church at Brook hills was an emotional moment and sharing how he impacted my life with his book Radical, my ministry burdens, his prayers upon me and taking picture was unforgettable.
In future, if I get another chance to spend time over here, I would definitely go and enjoy time. This camp gave me to reflect many things in my life. It was just fun because we are too far from materialistic world, job stress, deadlines but only enjoy time with friends, families, kids and God’s grace and Glory. I thank from my heart to all my brothers and sisters who took time to show this compassion and love towards us during this time.