Summer Reflections

It has been one full year since arriving here with our loaded U-Haul. Wow. It has been fun reflecting on all that has happened in these last 12 months while at the same time, wrapping up our last week of summer camp. Things will slow down for a couple of weeks before the weekend groups kick in for the fall.

My summer staff was phenomenal this year. We have a few days left together before they all go home, but I have truly enjoyed getting to know them. Their energy and laughter made this season so fun; the girls know each by name and have loved all the extra attention! This summer was constant with folks in and out each week. With so many groups, it is hard to remember them all. But one of my favorites was a youth group from inner city Denver. I just really connected with the kids and leaders. Ok, my rapping did help a little. In fact, the kids challenged me to a rap battle with one of their rappers, which I subsequently won to the joy and surprise of the whole youth group. By the end of the week, some of the kids were sharing with me their own poems, beat boxes, and raps.

Another highlight was speaking for a week at our youth camp called Snow Ridge, run by the Campus Crusade staff. Each summer, a group of Campus Crusade college students come to do a work project here at Horn Creek. They serve as the counselors for the Snow Ridge campers. On the third night of camp, I got word that one of the Campus Crusade staff had accepted Christ. I guess she had never really connected with the Gospel message in a genuine way, and that week it all finally connected for her. Awesome! Interaction with the CC staff all summer was another blessing. Just being around college kids is a treat for both Leslie and myself.

This week we have a group of kids in from Pueblo who have lost loved ones close to them. They came with a group called “Clouds to Rainbows,” that specialize in counseling kids who have had traumatic losses. Several of the kids have lost parents to suicide. One nine-year-old boy had his grandfather shoot and kill his mother and then commit suicide himself. His father then later committed suicide. Yet, in spite of their pain, it has been humbling to watch these little kids laugh and enjoy life here at camp. We have loved bringing joy and the hope of the gospel to them this week.

This fall our internship will start. Polly Bennett, myself and a couple other staff will run the internship this year. We will start with 8 interns for the year and hope to have 12 next fall. I am also helping start a new ministry here at Horn Creek for inner city youth. Another director and myself will be traveling to Philadelphia for a CCDA conference, and will spend some through out the year building relationships with key inner city ministries. I am so very thankful, for the Lord has continued to give me opportunities to use my gifts and passions in new ways here at Horn Creek.

As a family we are doing well. School will be starting in a few weeks, so we are relishing our final days of summer. The girls have really connected with our summer staff, and there will be many tearful goodbyes in the next week as they all head back to school. It is neat to see Emily and Sydney fitting into their life here at camp, and watching them interact and plug in with guests. This week, I will be the family camp speaker here at the Lodge, so in a sense, the Fox family will get to be campers! We have already really enjoyed getting to talk with and get to know the families, some of whom have been coming for 20 or so years.

Thank you so much for your prayers, concern, encouragement and financial support. It has meant a great deal to us. We miss you all and would love to hear from you!

In Christ,

Jeff, Leslie, Emily and Sydney