The Lakes Ranch “Transformed As” Kids Camp ran in the second week of the school holidays.  Romans 12:2 was our verse for the week during Chapel time and the kids learnt it with gusto using actions, ping pong and rip it.  Peg-a-tron talked about Zaccheus being transformed by spending time with Jesus – she even stuck Shelley up a tree for the story!  Then on Thursday she spoke about Lazarus being transformed from death to life through the power of Jesus.  Alessia-tron sang us a hillbilly song about the blindman near the Pool of Siloam and how he was transformed by trusting Jesus.

Shelley shared the story of Gideon and how he was transformed from a Zero into a Hero.  Then the coolest thing happened and Ben Lummis (New Zealand’s first ever Pop Idol) came and shared part of his testimony with us about how he was like Gideon and went from being a Zero to a Hero too.  Ben now works with youth and was at Lakes Ranch with the group he works with.  It was awesome to then have Ben sing to us.  It was a thrill to have him visit – THANKS Ben.

Even though the weather started out quite foul on the Monday after some significant prayer that night Tuesday dawned bright and beautiful and stayed that way until camp finished at 10 o’clock on Friday!  Yeah, thanks God!

Some of the kids favourite activities were abseiling (with this being snapped up each time it was offered), the Swoop and of course the Horse riding – thanks Guido and Alex for all the cool rides!!!

On the Wednesday we went and spent lunchtime down at the most beautiful lake in New Zealand – Lake Rotokawau.  We barbequed in the sunshine and some very brave kids even went for a swim – you could tell which ones they were, the ones shivering when they got out.

When we returned to camp Michael ran a raft building competition – the kids (and their rat bag leaders) had to transform rubbish into a floating, person-carrying device.  This race was finished first by one team but won by another – why is that we might ask Matt B and Ninja?  Could it be the propeller on the back which looked very much like a leader???

The last night was a sugar-laden blast.  We had a most delicious hangi at the fire pit – thanks Matiu, Steven, Sophie and Mandy! – then followed that up with an edited version of Transformers 1. 

We think Camp was awesome – but what do the Kids and Leaders themselves say?

Shelby says she totally loves it, loves, loves, loves.  Fun times, cool leaders, God time and friends!

Mitchell’s mum says that Kids Camp is “a safe environment” and he “made new friends”.

Tempus says she will come back to Kids Camp 4 Eva and eva and eva.