Posts Tagged ‘God’

11 Mar

Too Much Stuff?

Posted by miraclecamplife in Cool Story. Tagged: , , , , , , , .

Have you seen the new iPad? It is pretty remarkable. I was literally a click away from pre-ordering one last night! Then I remembered an experience from last week.

The other day I had a box of belongings I no longer needed. I brought them to Goodwill, as many people do. After this, I headed to Old Navy to buy a new pair of jeans. As soon as I walked in the door of Old Navy I was reminded of an article I read in a World Vision magazine back in 2009. I was able to find a copy of it and have posted it below.

too much stuff

Next time you are considering a new purchase, think about the world needs and pray about where the Lord would have you spend the money.

 

Frank Colarusso-Assistant Program Director

5 Feb

Unseen Becomes Seen

Posted by miraclecamplife in Uncategorized. Tagged: , , , , , .

2 Corinthians 4:18 “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

When I was in high school, it seemed like everyone was talking about The Invisible Children (www.invisiblechildren.com). Have you heard of this organization? Here is a basic Wikipedia definition if you haven’t:

“In the spring of 2003, three young filmmakers (Jason Russell, Bobby Bailey, and Laren Poole) traveled to Africa in search of a story. What started out as a filmmaking adventure transformed into much more when these boys from Southern California discovered the untold tragedy of Uganda. This tragedy revolves around Africa’s longest running war, where children have become the victims and the weapons. Rebel armies, known as the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) have been abducting children and using them as troops while they wage war against the Ugandan government. This originally caused the children to night commute, or walk miles nightly to avoid these troops. It is estimated that 90% of the LRA is abducted children. The film tells their story. After returning to the States, they created the documentary ‘Invisible Children: Rough Cut’, a film that exposes the tragic realities of northern Uganda’s night commuters and child soldiers.”

As a result of their film, these young guys allowed the lives of seemingly invisible people become revealed to America. This changed the lives of thousands of children in Uganda forever. They must have made the children they helped feel pretty special and finally noticed. These filmmakers literally changed the world.

Let me introduce you to someone from Malawi, another African country:

This is Timothy. I met him when I was in Malawi, Africa on a short-term missions trip. In this picture, Timothy is in seventh grade, he wants to grow up to care for orphan children.Timothy was always a leader in his school. His fellow students recognized him for his potential because of his kindness to everyone.

Tragically, I was recently informed that Timothy has passed away. He was just walking along the road (there are no sidewalks in Malawi) and he got hit by a car and died.

No, this is not a campaign to build sidewalks in Malawi nor is this indented to be a sob story.

Let me tell you a little about Timothy’s life. He was kind, friendly, including and a leader.People liked him and he liked people. He knew Jesus and lived to spread the word of Christ. He succeeded.

I’m not going to tell you to live more like Timothy because we both know that we are called to live and love like Jesus (John 15:12). Timothy worked to be like Jesus. You can too.

Jesus loved the unloved. He made the unseen seen. In the same way, the three guys who together founded The Invisible Children movement brought “invisible” people into the spotlight. You can too!

I know that there are times where you feel invisible. Just like you, others have felt that unnoticed, powerless and dejected. You have the ability to be there for these hurting people even if you are hurting yourself. You can work to ensure that the people around you do not feel invisible. Allow Gods love to illuminate out of you. Who can you notice today? Who do you know who is forgotten and needs to feel included? Who can you just talk to? Seek these people out and change their world.

frank colarusso-assistant program director

11 Dec

What’s in your Scrapbook?

Posted by miraclecamplife in Cool Story, Funny, General Camp Life. Tagged: , , , , , , .

 (Source awkward family photos)

In the midst of the biting cold – we had a wonderful family to warm our spirits this weekend at Miracle Camp. The Cook family drove, flew and possibly canoed their way here on Friday. Just to gather for an early Christmas celebration. And let me tell you, they REALLY know how to entertain themselves.

While your typical family reunion may consist of slouching in front of the television and trying to avoid your annoying baby cousins, the Cooks have turned this philosophy on its head. They kicked off the weekend by carting an eight-foot nylon reindeer into our upper lodge. The fun was only beginning. After everyone had arrived they played the most brutal game of musical chairs possible. The final round was between a six and seventy-six year old. The six year old won. And they were only getting warmed up. As I write this, the music and dancing from their annual family talent show is shaking my desk- and I couldn’t be happier about it.

All in all- the Cook family has shown the beauty of the Christmas season. This year- be sure to make an extra effort to create lasting memories with your loved ones. Even if giant reindeer, musical chairs, and talent shows are not your family’s cup of Christmas tea, start your own winter traditions and fill your family scrapbooks in the process.

Frank Colarusso-Assistant Program Director

and

Brad Hauser- Guest Services


7 Dec

Wednesday Rewind- Outdoor Chapel

Posted by miraclecamplife in General Camp Life, Rewind Remake. Tagged: , , .

One huge blessing Miracle Camp participants get to enjoy is our beautiful outdoor setting. Campers have been using the outdoors as a place of worship since day 1. Below is a historic picture of one of these early worship services.
We think this is taking place in the Judson Bowl- where we currently have our Crazy Campfire in the summers. Below is a picture of an outdoor chapel service from the summer of 2011. We now have a wonderful outdoor worship center  that has benches, a stage, and a cross.

Frank Colarusso-Assistant Program Director

4 Dec

Getting into God

Posted by miraclecamplife in Cool Story. Tagged: , , , , , .

This past week, I had the opportunity to take a break from Miracle Camp life and talk to students at Mattawan Middle School about reading.  Reading is something that I have become passionate about over the last few years thanks to IWU… I never realized what I was missing!

At the end of my presentation, I was taking questions from the students- as any good presenter would do. One student asked “How do you get into a book that just does not seem all that interesting to you- even if all of your friends say it is great?”

My answer surprised me.

I told him to stick with it. I told him that it sometimes takes time to get into a book. I told him to keep trying until he gets it.

I’m not trying to be over spiritual, but I realized that my answer could also relate to Christianity.

How many times have you wanted to get into the Bible- get into worship- get into spirituality- but felt that you just couldn’t?

I know I have been there.

The answer is simple.

Stick with it. It takes time. Keep trying.

Frank Colarusso-Assistant Program Director

26 Nov

Sneak a Peak

Posted by miraclecamplife in General Camp Life. Tagged: , , , , .

Would you like a sneak peek at our end of the year newsletter? Click the link below and be on the cutting edge of Miracle Camp news!

MiracleCamp.Newsletter

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving. We certainly are thankful for you. Come back and visit soon!

Frank Colarusso-Assistant Program Director

20 Nov

Quiz Off

Posted by miraclecamplife in Cool Story, General Camp Life. Tagged: , , , , .

This past weekend Miracle Camp was busy with the annual Quiz Off. It was a fight to the finish- each team put forth their best effort to become the champions of the weekend. Any quizzer, coach or parent will tell you that what was most important was the fact that each student was motivated to gain Biblical knowledge.

It is not uncommon to feel that you need to read your Bible more as a Christian- but this weekend could make even the most dedicated biblical scholar feel guilty. These kids knew the stuff inside and out!

I hope that this week you can find the motivation to REALLY learn from your devotions.

To give credit where credit is due,

Brookside won the jr. high division of the event while Eureka took first for high school. Everyone did an awesome job and enjoyed their time here at MC.

16 Nov

Wednesday Rewind Remake- Chapel

Posted by miraclecamplife in Funny, Rewind Remake. Tagged: , , , , , , , .

Welcome to the first Wednesday Rewind Remake- Say that three times fast. This WRR will focus on the Oakwood Chapel- constructed in 1987 (hey that is the year I was born). Below is a picture of a 1989 chapel session.  See if you can find the old-fashioned overhead projector. And who remembers those hanging chapel lights?

Above is a picture of a 1989 Sr. High Retreat. Kathy Link is speaking.

Below is a photo of a 2011 Jr. High Summer Camp. Tyler Quillet is speaking.

There are at least three things in the first picture that are still at Miracle Camp today. If you think you know what they are, post them to our facebook wall.

Frank Colarusso-Assistant Program Director

13 Nov

How did a Miracle Camp Counselor End Up on the Amazing Race?

Posted by miraclecamplife in Cool Story. Tagged: , , , , .

Listen to this,

In 1998 Miracle Camp had a counselor that was used to impact many of his campers to rededicate their lives to Christ- as several of our counselors do year after year. This counselor  inspired one particular camper t0 completely change. This camper went through the rest of his life growing in his walk with the Lord.

In 2005 this former camper returned to MC to give back as a camp aide. The camp aide program only strengthened his walk. It made him want to give back even more. During his time as a camp aide, he also made a camp classic- tye-dye shirt.

In 2008 this former camper and previous camp aide took his desire to serve from Miracle Camp, Michigan to Malawi, Africa on a missions trip. He brought along some old, ratty cloths from high school- including the tye-dye shirt from 2005. During his experience, he was impacted by the poverty and piety of the Malawian people. He was inspired to leave many of the belongings he had brought with him.

In 2011 This well-traveled, former camper and previous camp aide was watching television. The Amazing Race was showing an episode in Malawi, Africa. His eyes widened as he saw memories of his trip flash across the screen. His mouth dropped to the floor when in the background of one scene he saw the same tye-dye shirt he had left back in 2008.

In this way, the influence of one summer camp counselor in 1998 made its way onto the Amazing Race.

Think back over your life, how far does your impact stretch? Who have you been investing in? Who can you serve today?

I leave you today with a quote by Steve Kroschel from his documentary “The Gerson Miracle”

“For each of us eventually, whether we are ready or not, someday we will come to an end. There will be no more sunrises, no minutes, hours or days. All the things you collected, whether treasured or forgotten, will pass to someone else. Your wealth, fame and temporal power will shrivel to irrelevance. It will not matter what you owned or owed. Your grudges, resentments, frustrations and jealousies will finally disappear. So, too, your hopes, ambitions plans and “to do” list will expire. The wins and losses that once seemed so important will fade away. It won’t matter where you came from or on what side of the tracks you lived at the end. It wont matter if you’re beautiful or brilliant. Even your gender and skin color will be irrelevant.

So what will matter? How will the value of your days be measured? What will matter is not what you bought but what you built. Not what you got but what you gave. What will matter is not your success, but your significance. What will matter is not what you learned but what you taught. What will matter is every act of integrity, compassion, courage or sacrifice that enriched, empowered or encouraged others to emulate your example. What will matter is not your competence but your character. What will matter is not how many people you knew but how many will feel a lasting loss when you’re gone. What will matter is not your memories but the memories that live in those who loved you. What will matter is how long you will be remembered, by whom and for what.

A life lived that matters is not one of circumstance but of choice”

Show someone the love of Christ today. Who knows how far the effort may go.

Frank Colarusso-Assistant Program Director

P.S. You only have until 11/15/11 to participate in our free week of camp contest!

UPDATE: Here is a historic Miracle Camp pic. Looks like some Miracle Camp clothing has already made it around the world.

 This photo was taken by Jeff and Nancy Johnson on a missions trip to Zaire in 1990.

P.S.S. Check back Wednesday for a Wednesday rewind remake photo!

6 Nov

Win a Free Week of Summer Camp!

Posted by miraclecamplife in General Camp Life. Tagged: , , , , , .

You have the chance to win a free week of Summer Camp at Miracle Camp and Retreat Center! Why? Because Camp Craze has declared November 15, 2011 national wear your camp t-shirt day. In honor of this day we are giving away a week of summer camp at Miracle Camp! Get some friends to help you-they can win cool prizes too. And of course, do not forget to support Miracle Camp by wearing your favorite Miracle Camp T-shirt on November 15, 2011.

Frank Colarusso-Assistant Program Director

How To Enter:

  • Take a picture of up to four people wearing/holding/eating Miracle Camp merchandise.
  • Upload the photo to Miracle Camp’s facebook wall by November 15, 2011.
  • Ask all your friends and family members to like your photo.

The person who posts the photo with the most likes on December 1, 2011 will win one free week of summer camp!

Grand Prize:

  •  A free week of summer camp at Miracle Camp.
  •  Miracle Camp hooded sweatshirts for the pictured group.

 Second Prize:

  • Miracle Camp T-shirts for the pictured group.

 Third Prize:

  • Miracle Camp coffee mugs for the pictured group.

Terms and Conditions:  AKA fine print  AKA boring AKA ask your mom to read this

The Grand Prize: 1. A coupon for a free week of camp at Miracle Camp estimated value: $330. (The coupon can only be used by one person. Only one coupon will be given regardless of the number of people in the photo. The coupon will be sent to the poster of the winning photo. The prize cannot be split, but can be given to someone else. The coupon must be used in the 2012 summer camping season.) 2. A Miracle Camp hooded sweatshirt coupon for all pictured people. (This prize will be sent to the poster. It is the posters’ responsibility to distribute the prizes to the other pictured winners.) Second prize: A Miracle Camp t-shirt coupon for all pictured people. (This prize will be sent to the poster. It is the posters’ responsibility to distribute the prizes to the other pictured winners.) Third prize: A Miracle Camp coffee cup coupon for all pictured people. (This prize will be sent to the poster. It is the posters’ responsibility to distribute the prizes to the other pictured winners.)

Photos must be uploaded by November 15, 2011 at 11:59pm EST to be considered in the contest. No more than four people may be in each photo. Each facebook account may only submit one photo. Likes given after December 1, 2011 at 11:59pm EST may not be counted. Photos not following the stated rules may be disqualified and not considered for any prizes. Miracle Camp reserves the right to consider unique photos in the contest- even if they do not follow all stated rules. Miracle Camp will contact the winner(s) by December 5, 2011. Only the person who posted the photo will be contacted and they will receive the prize. If Miracle Camp cannot get the proper information by December 15, 2011, an alternative winner may be selected. In the event of a tie in likes, Miracle Camp will decide a winner.

Grand Prize will be awarded to the photo with the most likes, Second Prize will be awarded to he photo with the second most likes, Third Prize will be awarded to the photo with the third most likes.

Miracle Camp merchandise is considered anything purchased from the camp store or online. Camp aide and summer staff shirts also count. Custom-made shirts can be used in the contest as well, but must have Miracle Camp written on them.

Miracle Camp may also award small prizes during the contest to creative photos. The staff at Miracle Camp may choose these photos.

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