The J Crew Crew

June 22, 2012 -- Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, &Friday Allen toured the parts of Wales he hadn't been to before on Sunday and Monday while Jennifer went with Derek to Carmarthen in Western Wales to work with pastor Aron Treharne and his lovely wife, Elain.  The Acts Camp team was supposed to arrive on Monday night, but because of a plane snafu, they spent the night in the Brussels and arrived at the train station in Swansea at 7:30 pm on Tuesday where Allen awaited them and escorted them on a six block stroll to Capel Gomer. The team had pizza in the Capel and then went to a Welsh chain pub, Weatherspoon's,  for beverages and sticky toffee pudding.  Allen embarrassed Haleigh Miller by having everyone sing Happy Birthday to her, knowing her birthday was actually the day before.  Thanks for the suggestion, Les Miller! Then the team went to bed using sleeping bags in the Capel. For each of the next three mornings, Josh had the team break up into groups, studying the book of Luke.  When they came back together, Josh lectured upon the material, emphasizing cutting edge hermeneutical principles.  On the first day, Allen then did a 20 minute review of Welsh history followed by Derek covering Welsh religious history in great depth.  Allen did a Socratic method presentation on the origin of the Canon of the Bible on Wednesday, and on The Seasons strategies of Evangelism on Thursday, followed by an exercise where Derek put evangelism into the context of our individual home towns.  On Friday, at Josh's suggestion, Allen led a round table discussion on the topic of vocation or The Call; afterwards, each member of the circle spoke of their own spiritual gifts or affirmed the gifts of others. In the afternoons, Derek sent the people out in five groups to have lunch and "Prayer Strolling," combining prayer walking and planting seeds for evangelism.  Derek's idea was for them to go to the exactly the same restaraunts and tea shops every day to establish relationships with customers and shopkeepers.  We all came back together in the afternoons at 5pm at Capel Gomer for evening activities. What activities?  The group plans to participate in three youth clubs, one kid's club, three worship services, and a barbecue.  In most, they will mentor children, give public testimonies, and connect with the Welsh.  Derek, Matthew, Josh, will preach, and TJ and Nate Johnson will share their testimonies during worship. What is the essence of this young team of twelve ACTs camp kids (plus Josh)?  At first sight, they all look like fashion models from the cover of a J Crew catalogue.  OK, that's what they look like on second sight as well.  The boys have great hair and rock hard abs and the girls have girlish figures and look glamorous after sleeping on the floor all night.  It would be easy to envy and hate them.   One probably could if they were Kardashian vapid and shallow.  But alas, they are all panting for God like a deer pants for the water.  They are all mature, transparent, sensitive, and loving.  Josh throws all the academic might of seminary power at them, and they absorb it all like spiritual sponges.  These are not heroes and leaders in training, they are heroes and leaders right now.  They work together in harmony using their spiritual gifts like a Christian Justice League or like Avengers for the Advent. Despite any impulse to envy and hate them all, they are imminently adorable and lovable, growing in Truth and Grace. Let's keep them in Wales forever!