Home Cookin

One of the greatest things about the holidays is that we get to be at home around our families. Like most everyone else, we stoke the fire, hang up the stockings, and wait to see the magic of Christmas morning.

This year more than ever, I think I was most thankful for how God has blessed our summer work and stood over Kanakuk as we continue to follow His lead. We needed Him to confirm the work of our hands here and He most certainly did.

As I sit in front of our fire and reflect tonight, I am particularly thankful for the leadership of the White Family, the Goodwins, and the Coopers. They are the real life heroes of this past year as they have followed the Lord and paved the way for us to follow their lead. We couldn't do what we do without them directing and serving like they do.

Thanks for being a part of all that the Lord is doing here. Thanks for keeping us in your prayers. Thanks for being a part of the family that celebrates the true meaning of Christmas and gives God the glory He deserves.

Christmas Eve

Hebrews 11 and 12 reminds me that many men and women of the faith endured a lot for their faith, including Jesus, who willingly and joyfully chose to come to earth to suffer.... for me, and, for you.
There are many men who tried to play the role of "god," but only one God who would become a man.
The Rapps will remember such an unbelievable Savior Jesus Christ!
Thanks be to God for all of our blessings this Christmas!
Merry Christmas to each of you.

Kanakuk Train Ride!

All aboard the Polar Express! The Rapp family had their very first train experience as we boarded the Branson Scenic Railway on a magical journey to the North Pole to find Santa Claus. The boys loved it, and so did mom and dad. We got to go with other Kanakuk families and dominated most of an entire train car!

The train employees put on a pretty good show with singing, book reading, lots of smiles, cookies and hot chocolate. The story of The Polar Exress came to life as we toured Hollister, the Branson Landing, and the Trail of Christmas Lights just west of downtown Branson.

And we did find Santa!

Do you believe?

Well, i'm not sure about Santa, cause I saw him at the Branson Landing, and he was a different guy. I think Santa is just a made up story to make the holiday season fun. I know that's kind-of out there, but that's my conspiracy theory.

But I believe that 2000 years ago God sent his only Son away from Heaven.

God, became a fragile human on earth,

As a gift to every man, woman, boy and girl.

That whoever believes in Him, shall experience abundant life...

Forever.

Sign me up.

Glory to God!

It All Adds Up

I am thoroughly convinced that life comes down to little things. Over time, good or bad, the little things will always end up coming together to act as a catalyst for the bigger and more important. If you have been around KWest very much, you no doubt have heard Luke 16:10 quoted often, "He who is faithful in a little thing, is faithful also in much..."

This weekend, I was once again reminded that the "little" does add up over time. Long time Kanakuk kamper Austin Jarrett made enough of his shots this past week to secure his 1,000 point (check the picture above). As you look at his form, you can see muscle memory has taken over and shooting form looks text book perfect. He put in hours of practice and court time doing the little things correctly to achieve that goal. It was no doubt a sweet moment for him, his family, and his team.

With Christmas just around the corner, we will all get into the mode of checking off our holiday traditions. This past year, we have all invested in little things along the way and they have turned into habits or have been woven into the fabric of our character. One thing I pray that all of us have as a part of our lives on a daily basis is a grateful heart. Whether you're a parent, camper, or staff, I hope this year has been filled with daily "thanks" focused on the Lord, and with others.

As the Christmas rush picks up and things get crazy, remember that the small things, like taking time to tell people at the over crowded checkout line "thank you and Merry Christmas" helps both your heart and theirs.

I am grateful for the "little baby" who God gifted to us for salvation. Over time, that tiny baby has acted as a catalyst for a world changing love. It is what we celebrate every day of our lives with thankfulness and purpose.

So remember this holiday season, be faithful and grateful for the little baby boy who was given with a much bigger and more important reason that we could ever imagine.

When $11 becomes a million

A woman who works in our office here at Kamp is married to a pastor of a very small church near Branson. This sweet, godly, grandparent couple has struggled this year as the husband had heart surgery a few months ago, and has struggled to fully recover.

One day this week a robber came into their home, stole $900 cash that was being saved for a Christmas purchase, and also their computer. His wife came to work yesterday in great distress. It is maddening to me how someone could do such a thing to this couple!

Last night, I was doing a devo with my boys and mentioned needing to pray for this family who suffered the theft. After we prayed and were tucking the boys in bed, Connor runs to his bank and pulls out all the money he has--- $11, and gives it to us, saying, “I want to help them out to.” Bronwyn asks, “Connor, are you sure you want to give all this? You certainly don’t have to give anything.” Connor responds, “I know mom, I want to. If I was in their shoes, I would be feeling really bad right now.”

When i presented the small monetary gift to the woman, she cried and said that it felt more like a million dollars. It really helped the pain this couple was feeling about their loss. A small act of 11 dollars taught all of us a great lesson; Things of earth don't really matter all that much. People are pretty important. Thanks, Connor for the incredible lesson of love and compassion.

Help, Hands, and Hope

Saturday we had a chance to help.

Saturday we had the opportunity to lend a hand.

Saturday we had the chance to share some hope.

Saturday we had fun...

In the normal flow of life, this time of year it's hard to find time to do much extra. With Christmas parties, shopping, extra events around town, and the Holiday rush, things seem to be crazy.

Saturday all of that stopped.

First Baptist Church here in good old Branson partnered up with Convoy of Hope out of Springfield to pass out 5,000 bags of groceries to folks who needed a little hope, help, and a hand. Not only was it fun, it was life changing...for those who came in need and for those of us who helped.

I had the opportunity to sit, talk, listen, and pray with a man who had been in prison for 16 years, an unmarried and pregnant 15 year old, three young adults who all needed work, a 14 year old girl heavily involved in the Wiccan cult, and another young man who was unmarried with a child and struggling to start over. All of them needed a hand, and all of them needed some hope.

As my partner Chris and I teamed up to listen, we joined over 275 others who provided food, medical help, fun and candy for kids, and at the root of it all, the hope of the gospel. I can't imagine a better way to spend a Saturday in December. That's what Christmas is really all about.

Honestly, unless my pastor would have stopped me long enough to think about it, I am not sure I would have slowed down. I have a long list of things to do on Saturday and not much free time(broken cars, wood to cut, chores and errands, not to mention two kids with basketball games). I am glad that he did though. It really did give me perspective. It helped me capture the real meaning of Christmas and live it.

Don't miss keeping the gospel at the center these next few weeks. Helping others with our hands and with a message of hope is where we need to be spending our time every day.

Life in the faith lane

I’ve heard some stories recently that are inspiring me. I am excited to share one with you because if you are like me, you can always use a little inspiration! The stories are of ordinary people who are in situations where they can either trust and obey God--- even though it may be embarrassing, or they can just sit and struggle, and be anxious, and hope for good fortune to come along. A believer exercises faith; A non-believer exercises hope, at best. (Hmmmm. How many times have I acted like a non-believer? A LOT!) That is what it means to be a hypocrite--- an actor, who acts like a non-Christian, but says he is a Christian. Like the disciples afraid that they may die in the boat when the storm hit, Jesus said, “Where is your faith?” That’s what I am asking myself, as I recognize how much I am like the disciples. I abhor the thought of my hypocrisy.

The story I'd like to share with you today happened at Kamp on opening day, 2010. The very first vehicle to arrive at K-2 was a kamp bus, pulling up to the back gate 20 minutes early. The bus driver decided to turn the bus off since it was too early to drive into Kamp. When it was time to pull in, he turned the key, but the bus wouldn’t start. After trying everything he could without success, the gravity of the situation was weighing heavy. His bus was blocking the gate on the one-lane back road into kamp, with dozens of cars, vans, and busses stuck with no place to drive, and no way out! The bus driver decided to ask the kampers and staff who were around to lay their hands on the bus and pray that God might start the bus. He then climbed in, turned the key, and it started, and opening day at K-2 began!

There are other stories to tell, but I won’t take any more of your time. I’ll let you make your own stories of faith. That’s MUCH more fun than just hearing them. Ephesians 3:20 says, “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” Take a chance—exercise your faith. You’ll never experience a greater sense of being alive, and your relationship with God will seem more real than ever!