Alabama Campers on Mission

Do you know what a blessing it is to have a group of campers come out for the sole purpose of doing ministry? We sure do! During the first two weeks of May, Camp MACOBA experienced that blessing first hand, thanks to a group from the Alabama Campers on Mission, led by volunteer Wilton Whigam.

The campground filled up with all types of RVs -- more than we've ever hosted at one time -- as the volunteers came in and set up camp. What a joy!  

On Monday the work started in earnest.  The first big project?  Building a 16' by 70' deck onto the back of the pavilion, complete with rails, steps, and flood lights. You know how "they" say it's going to get worse before it gets better?

Yikes. But "they" are so right . . .

Isn't it beautiful? And here it is after dark . . .

What a fabulous addition this will be to the functionality of the camp in general and the pavilion, specifically!

The deck was the major project for the two weeks, but there were LOTS of things accomplished over that period of time.  This group works harder than any construction team we've ever seen! They finished up the bathhouse in the main campground, including adding steps and under-pinning:

They built a beautiful free-standing counter for the pavilion area:

The craftsmanship on this piece is just beautiful.  What an asset!

They built walls on either side of the 'kitchen' area at the pavilion:

We know that the new walls will be much appreciated by all 'camp cooks' who are up here in windy and/or stormy weather.

They shored up the main support beams all around the pavilion:

They built brand new benches to rest along the railing of the deck:

They built the frame for a storage area at the far end of the pavilion (for chairs, stands, other equipment, etc.):

I believe they got walls up on it, too, before they left -- we just haven't gotten a picture of it yet.

They finished the remodeling work in men's bathroom (off the back of the pavilion):

They built some awesome backdrops for the activity stations (archery, blow darts, hatchet throwing, etc.):

Not to mention all grass-cutting, trail-clearing, floor-and-wall-and-deck-painting, stove-cleaning, storeroom-clearing and flower planting that took place. There may not be any way to list *all* the things this group accomplished -- this is one handy, talented group! And I'd just like to mention that the average age of these twenty or so men and women is, according to them, 70. SEVENTY. WOW!!

During the week, we had seven churches who volunteered to bring lunch up for the workers. The workers were well fed and the volunteers bringing food were well-impressed with all the positive changes! 

Lunchtime was followed by a short time of devotions, the sharing of prayer concerns, prayer time, and a song.  What sweet fellowship!

On the Saturday between the work weeks, we had a fish fry and watched a Dennis Swan DVD under the pavilion, on the 'big screen'.  That was a fun time of good food and laughter!

During the week, we had an opportunity to spend some time around the campfire with them.

It was fascinating to hear stories about where they'd served in the past and the different ways they've ministered. It was also nice to have 'community' in the camp for a season, too.

This Alabama Campers on Mission group was a blessing in so many ways -- to so many people: families, church groups, Scout groups, etc. who will visit the camp in the coming years! We're so excited to share all that they did.  And we are already looking forward to having them back again, in May of 2017!

Wood-stacking Work Day

It wasn't the coldest day of the month, but it was close!  Thankfully, that didn't stop our volunteers from the Disaster Relief Team at Willowbrook from heading up to the camp to chop some wood!

Due to weather, the past three or four work days have had to be cancelled and the available fire wood had taken a huge hit.  So we got the fire roaring in the warming station, put on a pot of coffee, and got busy.

Volunteers from New Market Baptist Church, Wells and Gordon, manned the tractors, hauling downed trees up to the cutting stations.

These guys were professionals!

As the logs got cut, a couple of the camp's neighbor's, Susan and Amelia, help stack the wood.

The coolest part of the whole operation was watching the log splitter do its job:

No matter how big the log, the splitter had it handled.

And the warming station certainly got its fair share of traffic . . . 

And rightly so!

Chili was on the menu for lunch -- nothing like a hearty, hot meal after a morning of chopping wood.

And the chili was great -- Chris Wilson did a great job with it -- there wasn't a drop left between two crock pots.

We so appreciate all the help and the great stacks of wood we have now. May the name of Jesus be proclaimed many times over around the camp fires at the camp!

Last Activities of 2013

November and December flew by up at the Camp and even though the temps were definitely turning colder, we still had a good number of groups using the camp.  Saturday, December 23, we had a repeat visit from one of our favorite groups, the Sunday School Class fellowship out of New Market Baptist Church.  It was a smaller group this go 'round, but fun nonetheless.  And while the temps were cold, the chili was hot, hot, hot!!

Thanksgiving day, our own family congregated up at the pavilion for a traditional turkey dinner.  We had family in from out-of-town, as well, and it was nice to have all the picnic seating we needed.  By then, we'd made sure the tarp 'walls' were up and kept a fire roaring in the fire place, so it was a cozy meal together.

In December, we got rained out for another work day.  Which was really a shame, the wood supply in the stacks has gotten low.  Hopefully we'll be able to get a crew up here to chop and stack wood before our spring campers start coming in.  

The weekend of December 13 and 14th was bitter cold, so when the guys from Troop 7084 showed up, they immediately pitched tents until the pavilion, taking advantage of the tarp walls.  

They also made good use of the fire place, and quickly put their Dutch ovens to work with a hot and hearty dinner and dessert.

Ever resourceful, the Boy Scouts figured out a way to enjoy their camp time in spite of the very low temps!

Our last group of the year lucked out with much milder temps.  It's amazing how one weekend in December it can be well below freezing, but by the next weekend, temps have reached the 60s!  

The manly-man group from Asbury United Methodist lucked out which such a weekend.

They pitched their tents and roughed it for their stay.  

The smell of steaks cooking over an open campfire was certainly tantalizing.

And that wrapped up the camping activity for 2013.  We're already booking for 2014 and the weekends in March are already filled!

Cornerstone (Fayetteville) Men and Boys Camp Out

It started out as a camp-out for Pastor Danny's SS Class of youth boys then expanded to any men who wanted to come.  I believe there ended up being 10 in all.  The weather had turned cold and windy so the decision was made to actually set up tents under the pavilion.  This is not the first time folks have gone this route and I am sure it's not the last time.  

Last year I had purchased some heavy duty tarps to hang on the sides for just such conditions, so I hung them up and they ended up being a huge blessing.  Tony was the first to set-up a tent and then quickly moved to getting a nice fire going in the fireplace.  

Brother Danny was the cook for the outing and did a great job on the burgers and dogs.  After supper Brandon and Adam got out the guitars for a little praise and worship music.  Brother Danny led us in a time of devotion talking about a "Band of Brothers".  Everyone then spent a little time making s'mores -- actually there were a couple of different ways they did this.  

By this time 9:00 rolled around so I went ahead and slipped back to the RV while they all stayed up for a couple more hours.  The next morning I headed to work before it was daylight while Brother Danny was about to cook up some breakfast.  Everyone had a good time and commented they should do this more frequently.  The boys especially seemed to enjoy hitting the trails and exploring the camp.

An August Camp Wedding

We were very excited ... there's not been a wedding up at the camp since we've been the hosts, so when Janet contacted us and wanted to hold her wedding up here, we were thrilled.  

Friday afternoon folks started showing up for the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.  Will Faulkenberry, from Sherwood Baptist Church (and a friend) was officiating over the service.  Evidently Will's done several weddings up here in the past ... and all were related in some form or fashion to the current bride!

Tables and chairs were arranged to accommodate the bride walking down the aisle.  

Putting the picnic tables on the perimeter of the pavilion not only gave them plenty of room for regular seating on the inside, but gave them additional seating on the benches! 

After the rehearsal, Will's mom manned the grill and they enjoyed a terrific "cook out" feast.  

Saturday morning had the parents of the bride up getting things *just right* pretty early.  White tablecloths, a pretty table for the unity candle, and pillars with ferns up at the head of the pavilion all made for a pretty and rustic setting.

We even got a sneak peek at their lovely cake . . . 

By three o'clock, the pavilion was filling up with guests for the Watson/Burns wedding!  The bride made a quick appearance to check last minute details then zipped back around to the back (out of sight from the groom, who was due to arrive at any minute)!

The ceremony went off without a hitch and the entire party headed out to the playground for a full group shot.

The photographer was ingenious (not to mention a bit brave) -- she got up on top of the slide so she could see the whole group!

Once group photos were done, the party was on in the pavilion.  Putting the chairs away made an instant dance floor ... and the music, food, and cake flowed freely!

We're so happy to have been a part of Janet and Curt's happy day.  Congratulations!