News at Camp tall turf

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Gospel Choir—Deliverance Blessed the Building Bridges Banquet

Summer Staffer Maurice Townsend leads Deliverance, a local gospel choir. The group, comprised of young people, graced the banquet this year with three numbers. Their talent and heartfelt singing sent attendees home blessed.

This year’s banquet, held at Oakdale Park Church on October 19, was supported by Global Forex Trading, Request Foods, Inc., Berends Hendricks Stuit Insurance, The Shack, Zondervan, Modern Hardware, Accurate Alignment and Brake Service, Creston Industrial Sales, Valley City Linen, and Williams Kitchen and Bath.

Brief Testimonials were provided by:

• Jevon Willis: Past Staff/Current Board
• Theresa Walker: Past Camper/Current Office Staff and Camper Parent
• Leanne VanDyk: Past Staff/ Current Volunteer
• KayLee Fredricks: Past LIT and School-year staff.

This years Building Bridges was presented to Mr. Gary Tilkin, President of Global Forex Trading. The Award is given annually to an individual who has made significant contributions to Camp Tall Turf’s mission and ministry of reconciliation.

Gary has not only faithfully supported Tall Turf’s programs financially, but also personally invested in the lives of Tall Turf teens by meeting with, listening to, and sharing his experiences with them. Gary is a humble and gracious Christian philanthropist.

Around 260 people, including 116 new attendees, came to this year’s event which netted a profit of $ 24,778.

Thank you to all who participated, supported, and attended the banquet. It was a God glorifying and meaningful celebration of Tall Turf’s ministry.

Leader In Training teens Step Up at Where U At? Urban Youth Conference.

From March 3-5, the LITs had a first hand opportunity to step up and lead. They took part in the planning, coordinating, and leading of the area Urban Youth Conference by teens and for teens. The conference named Where U At? was an all weekend event held at Grace Adventures in Mears, MI.

When asked if she was able to use her leadership skills at the conference, LIT Bryana Robinson noted that, “I was able to bring my peers together by leading by example and doing things up front.” She affirmed that the conference gave her opportunities to impact and empower peers. “I got to pray in front of everyone which was different, but fulfilling.” Bryana and the other LITs have all shared experiences of being impacted and empowered by this conference. Bryana asserted that, “Whoever didn’t go missed a totally awesome time in the Lord.”

Nearly 120 youth and teens from local urban organizations took part in this event. It was an awesome time of collaboration, relationship building, and renewal. The planning committee, steered by Youth Unlimited staff and comprised of urban leaders from a number of organizations, hopes that this is just the beginning of many great conferences.

3:20 Conference: A weekend of Leadership Development

On December 2-4, 2005 twenty-five high school youth and leaders came to Camp Tall Turf for a weekend of leadership development called the 3:20 (based on Ephesians 3:20). The youth from the urban areas of Grand Rapids gathered to praise their awesome God and to grow as leaders in preparation for the leadership role God is calling them to at the upcoming 'Where U At' conference for urban teens.

At the December retreat, Pastor Reggie Smith from Roosevelt Park Church taught these young leaders about David and the call to leadership. On Saturday the youth traveled to Grace Youth Camp for a day of team building and leadership development and then on Saturday night they spent the night in teams planning for their role at the conference. Some of the youth are working on a drama team to present skits before each session dealing with 'Where U At'. Some are on a media team preparing a video for the youth attending the conference. Some are on a prayer team organizing prayer warriors to cover the weekend in prayer and some are on the details team organizing all the behind the scenes activities. Some will be leading workshops in teaching other teens. Some will be giving their testimonies, dancing and stepping at the general sessions. All taking on leadership roles to make this weekend a success for the urban youth in Grand Rapids.

Many of us as youth pastors who brought teen to this planning retreat were in awe at the level of excitement these youth have in taking leadership roles for the conference. Ciarra Adkins, one of the youth from Camp Tall Turf, says "I feel honored to only be 16, and doing God's work by being the Captain of the details team for the 'Where U At' Conference. There are so few opportunities for us teens to be able to show our great leadership skills in such a huge event. It's an unbelievable feeling to know that I am a part of the team making sure that the conference runs smoothly. I believe in the mission of the conference and feel that many teens will walk away from this experience with a better sense of where they are and where God is ultimately calling them to be."
We praise God for these teens who are stepping up as leaders, who are walking and talking a different walk, and who are making a major impact on their peers!

Bryana Robinson—Tall Turf's Walking Miracle

By: Sarah Buter

Bryana, you’ve been through some pretty scary stuff lately! Can you tell me about that?

It started because I wanted to drive and went to get my permit. I couldn’t see the blinker on one side so they sent me to get my eyes checked. The exam showed swollen nerves to my brain so they sent me for a CAT scan. The CAT scan showed a tumor 2-3” lodged in my brain. I was admitted to the hospital on January 10th and had surgery on the 15th. The surgery was successful and removed around 95% of the tumor. After surgery I was very weak on my left side. A foot brace, walker, cane, and therapy have helped that. I was able to go home in mid-February and now have outpatient therapy 2 1/2 days/week.

How did you feel during this process and how are you doing now?

I was not really worried. It was hard to see my parents worried, I had to reassure them. I was really able to trust God and lean on Him. I got through this by staying “prayed up” and reading the Word and I didn’t allow myself to get depressed.
I have heard that you were a light and a witness to other patients and the staff throughout the whole process. What equipped you to be able to do that?
Everything I’ve been through with my family and faith. Knowing the joy that I have because of my faith and wanting to share that and encourage others by telling them what worked for me. My Mom always said, “If you don’t know Jesus, try Him... the devil will always take you back.”

We have grown from watching you go through this time. How have you grown?
Being stronger— being able to say no to what I know is wrong and wanting a better relationship with God. I have grown to be more responsible and have a more positive attitude.

Is there a particular verse that really helped you through this?

Yes, Matthew 17:20-23: The story of how faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains.

What did you learn from this?

People say anything can happen and that you shouldn’t take anything for granted. You really do need to live each day like it is your last, like God will take you home tomorrow.

Tell me about being a Leader in Training (LIT) for Camp Tall Turf. Did those experiences impact how you handled this time in your life?

The LIT program helped me through this. It helped me to stay grounded and positive. As and LIT I have seen people who have it worse and I was able to keep that in mind. I was also challenged to speak up and interact with others. My experiences as an LIT gave me courage and equipped me with the knowledge of how to reach and talk with others.

How will you use your story in the LIT Program?

Tell everybody! I hope to write a book and make a movie.

Where do you go from here?

I will still graduate from high school this year. I am going to Hope College next year and plan to be an engineer. I’m also going to get rid of my cane and I’m still going to get my license.

Packs of Wolves Overtake Tall Turf

By: Sarah Buter

Have you ever watched a group of energetic kids and thought they were acting more like animals?

On Friday, October 21 a group of about 40 Tall Turf youth and staff traveled to camp for the night and were invited to be just that. Packs of "wolves" could be heard howling throughout the woods. However, unlike real wolves, the howls were often followed by giggles. The group was playing Wolfpack, a favorite game at Tall Turf where packs of leaders and kids are sent out into the woods and return the howls of the lead pack who tries to track and capture them.

In addition to Wolfpack, the retreat also featured devotions, a scavenger hunt for the younger kids, hiking for the teens, a lot of eating, playing, laughing, and praying. It was a great time for school-year program participants to head up to camp for a break from busyness and school to have fun and fellowship time with friends.

Junior/Senior College Tour 2006

Juniors and seniors traveled to Nashville, TN, Tallahassee, FL, Atlanta, GA, and Tuskegee, AL where they toured a number of colleges and universities. 2006 marks the 9th annual Camp Tall Turf Spring Break College Tour!

Freshmen/Sophomore College Tour 2006

Freshmen and sophomores visited Taylor University, Geneva College, University of Pittsburgh, and Duquesne University.

 

Questions? Comments? Please share your thoughts with us!