Burnt Cabin Summary
by Barrett Vanlandingham (July 27, 2006)

Well, another camp session has come and gone. But the seeds that were sown are already growing. God blessed our week with nine baptisms: Tuesday - Zane Cook and Kevin Cook of Fort Gibson... Wednesday - Taylor Potts and Kayla Potts of Charleston, Arkansas, and Nick Curry and Ashley Tevebaugh of Gore ... Thursday - Sara Swayze and Mercedes Boling of Gore... Saturday - Amy Kehr of Sand Springs. After camp was over, Bubba Dickens and Nathan Baker of Gore were baptized Sunday morning at Lake Road Church of Christ; and at the South Walker Church of Christ in OKC, Amber Rey (aka Elmo) and her older sister Alex were baptized Sunday morning. Reaching for Higher Ground was our theme this year. Our theme song was as follows:

Reaching for Higher Ground
(verse 1) A broken world... has nothing to offer me.
Even thought I’ve tried... to find happiness down here. (repeat verse)
(chorus) So Lord, I’m reaching... for higher ground.
Lord, I’m reaching... for higher ground.
Where the streets are made of gold... Where it’s never too hot nor cold.
Lord, I’m reaching for higher ground.
(verse 2) The friends I have... they mean the world to me.
But the Lord, my God... gives me hope for eternity. (repeat verse)
(chorus) So Lord, I’m reaching... for higher ground.
Lord, I’m reaching... for higher ground.
Where we’ll see our Father’s face... Where we’ll live in our Savior’s grace.
Lord, I’m reaching... for higher ground.
Lord, I’m reaching... for higher ground.

Listen to this song at
www.ftgchurchofchrist.com
(follow the Burnt Cabin link)

2006 Burnt Cabin Awards
Director’s Award
Rachel Elliott / Josh Huggins
Fort Gibson

Courtney Keese
Servant Heart Award
Kelsey Hackworth - Moore

Model Jr Girl
Paige Parker - Fort Gibson

Model Intermediate Girl
Ashley Tevebaugh - Gore

Model Sr Girl
Teena Henry - Morris

Model Jr. Boy
Tevin Taylor - OKC

Model Intermediate Boy
Trey Lashley - Fort Gibson

Model Sr Boy
Kyle Lashley - Fort Gibson

Best Jr Girl Bible Student
Emily Farris - Colcord

Best Intermediate Girl Bible Student
Tillisha Gray - Tahlequah

Best Sr Girl Bible Student
Tara Richey - Fort Gibson

Best Jr Boy Bible Student
Todd Waters - Fort Gibson

Best Intermediate Boy Bible Student
Nick Murray - Gore

Best Sr Boy Bible Student
Luke Hollen - Sand Springs

Royalty
(voted on by campers)
Queen - Amanda Frost - Fort Gibson
King - Tyler Cook - Fort Gibson
Princess - Keely Richey - Fort Gibson
Prince - Kacy Cook - Fort Gibson
Duchess - Chelsey Mead - Fort Gibson
Duke - Jordan Yaws - Oregon

Canteen Time at Mini Camp
July 13, 2006
by Barrett Vanlandingham

As I watched the mini-campers (ages 7-10) line up for a snack at canteen, and for meals at the mess hall last week, I couldn’t help but think of this passage from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5:6)...
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled."
How beautiful it was to see all of those little faces living out the same scenes that we read about in the above passage and also in chapters 14 and 15 (the feeding of the 4000 and 5000).
The children at camp may have thought they were only in line for a much deserved snack; but in reality God was using good fun, good fellowship, and good memories to fit into an overall plan to fill their hunger and thirst for righteousness. May we as mature Christians always be prepared to "serve up" spiritual meals and snacks when opportunities arise. Barrett

Summer Passing Quickly
by Barrett Vanlandingham
July 6, 2006

Hola Everyone! That’s "Hello" in Spanish. All 24 of us had a great time on the eight day Monterrey, Mexico trip June 24-July1. With God’s help, we accomplished a good bit at three different sites where we helped construct church buildings for small congregations that already have preachers. We met a lot of really nice people from the local churches like 68-year old Lupe’, who worked with us everyday; and then there was 15-year old Abraham and 11 year old Favian, who were both favorites of the kids. We were happy to come back home, and very happy to see the American flag waving us back in at the border. I will leave details of the trip to our Missions Deacon Glen Elliott, who will give a report this coming Sunday night.
This week (July 5-8), Lisa and I are "mini-camping" at Burnt Cabin (about 90 kids ages 7-10) along with Jenna Arnett, Paula Fontenot, Gean Hackworth, and many other staffers from other towns. The camp ends Saturday after a lunch banquet and awards assembly that parents who sign upon the first day are invited to be a part.
I will spend July 9-14 as close to the office as possible finishing up getting ready for Fort Gibson’s week of Burnt Cabin. And then a week after that it’s off to Saint Louis for a youth rally and Six Flags. I will give a full report on those events after they happen.
I would like to let each of you know how much I appreciated your support of the youth ministry here in Fort Gibson. I thoroughly enjoy every ministry opportunity inside and outside of the church that I am fortunate enough to be a part. Thank you.
Kenny Lashley and I wrote a song on the way back from Mexico that tells the story of our group’s dirt leveling, block laying, cement work, and relationships that made the trip even more special. Maybe we can sing it for you sometime.
Monterrey
The boards and the cords, we used on the floor, helped our amigos worship the Lord.
The dirt we tossed, so no souls will be lost; Jesus’ blood will cover the cost.
Cement was poured; the blocks were laid, so beautiful music could be made.
The forms torn down; the walls went up, as God’s gentle breeze would fill our cup.
The old gentle man, with blood, sweat, & tears, we worked side by side, with children & cheers.
Like manna from heaven that fell from above, they prepared food with hands that were so full of love.
[Chorus] Monterrey, Monterrey. We see Jesus, in Monterrey. (2X)