Artistry at Work

Virgil Taylor with My Fathers House(a church he and his wife started in Granite Shoals) is an incredible artist. His medium is tile.
Yes that's right tile. He is a tile setter by profession installing all kinds of custom tile work in homes and businesses throughout the Hill Country. He installed the new tile floor, showers and baths in Lampasas dorm, which was long overdue.
Danny had an idea of putting the camp logo in the dining hall on the new wall that some of our SOWER volunteers had just rebuilt, how to do that was the question. Would we have a painting commissioned or a vinyl sign made up or something else? Most ideas could be costly and just not practical for us at this time. But as we know perfectly well here at HLCCC God has a way making those dreams come true. While Virgil was here completing the work in the Lampasas dorm he said he could put a very large tile logo on the dining hall wall. This tile mural would be 7' tall and be cut out of tile to match our current logo for Highland Lakes Camp. He would offer to volunteer his labor if we covered the material. Danny was excited for Virgil to begin. As we gathered in the dining hall for three weeks each day, we watched this beautiful mosaic tile and custom cut tile logo come to life. Virgil has invested 3 weeks of his time to date and still has more to go. That's over 135 hours to complete the logo. He painstakingly cut each tile to exacting detail to resemble our camp logo. Virgil is an outstanding artist and a servant of the Living God! He has given his talents to glorify our Lord and he has done an amazing job doing just that! We are so thankful for having people like Virgil who the Lord has brought along side of us to reach so many for Christ. This is a display of Gods handiwork at it's best. Virgil also volunteers as a sponsor for many youth activities with his church.
Thank You Lord for your provision and enjoyment of people like Virgil Taylor. May God bless him and his family for giving up his time and talents for His glory!

Does God care about Basketball?

Well apparently He does!
Here is another amazing story about God's faithfulness here at HLCCC.
As many of you know we have a basketball court (or you may not because is was in such bad shape) behind Miles Auditorium. It has been in disrepair for some time which made it hard to play a good game of basketball or tennis. When the ball would hit a crack you wouldn't know where it would come down. It wasn't safe because of the large cracks that were a trip hazard.
Gary posted on a web site looking for a Court Re finisher and the person who answered the ad almost immediately was Weston Ready. He owns Courtex Construction Inc.and said he would love to take a look at our project.
He mentioned he and his sister were saved at camp several years ago and he would love to help out. It was quickly apparent we didn't have enough in our budget to refinish the whole court or for that matter even one quarter of the court. Weston and Gary made some calls and after much prayer God put on the hearts of a couple of donors to make up the difference in our budget. With the help of Weston and his father we were able to refinish the basketball court and the tennis court! WOW! God is good.
Another part of the project involved a group from Harp's Crossing in Georgia. They brought 18 students and adults to work on projects here at the camp during their spring break. Gary's team and the team from Harp's Crossing are installing a new sand volleyball court where the old half court was located inside the fenced area. Our courts area has now been transformed into a safe and beautiful area for a little friendly competition. We also don't have to chase those loose balls too far.
We want to thank Weston, his dad, The team form Harp's Crossing, Gary and Bruce for their help. I didn't mention one of our own staff members (Bruce)  donated a large portion of the balance we needed to complete the courts. It doesn't surprise me when God raises up one of our staff to participate in the finances of the camp. They are the ones closest to see what God is doing here. God uses each of us no matter what our job or business is. He uses EVERYTHING to glorify His name!
Thanks be to Our Lord for providing a safe place to have a good time with each other as we play a little bball or tennis. Not to mention it is good for our bodies and our soul to be outdoors in Gods beautiful creation together.
Stop by and see the beautiful new courts!
See You at Camp!

Hot Hearts Live

We understand some of you can't make it to the live event, but we still want you to be a part of Hot Hearts by praying for the students and watching live online @ www.highlandlakescamp.org/live

Follow us on twitter @highlandlakescc for daily updates!

Welcome Home, Ashley

We will be welcoming Ashley back to camp Friday morning. She would like to thank everyone for their prayers and support while she was in Kenya. We will post some more information about how God used her in those lives she touched while she was there.

Follow us on twitter at www.twitter.com/highlandlakescc

~ My testimony~ by Corinne V.

Corinne has served as a Team Servant for two years. The Team Servant program at Highland Lakes Camp is a life-changing missions experience for Christian high school students willing to commit two weeks of their summer vacation to grow in their walk with Christ. Members of the Team Servant program are encouraged to follow the example of our Savior, who came to serve and minister to the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of others.  Here is her testimony:

My parents always told me there would be a day when I would have to choose for myself, to follow Christ or not.. about ten years ago I was at a Vacation Bible School, and they were talking about Jesus and how He died on the cross for us to take away our sins and about being saved. The teacher asked the class if there was anyone ready to accept Christ to raise their hand, I thought I was ready so I raised my hand. They took me into a separate room and prayed with me, they asked if I wanted to be baptized and I said yes, so they took me to my mom and had me tell the exciting news. I told her I was ready to be baptized and she said I had to wait a bit. 

So about four years later I was asked if I wanted to be baptized of course I said yes! The pastor at the time came to my house and asked me a TON of questions and said I knew enough and he felt that I understood well enough to be baptized. I got baptized on Christmas Eve, I may have known the right answers to the questions the pastor asked, but one thing was missing.....I didn't have a personal relationship with Christ, nothing changed. 

I would pray and read the Bible occasionally, talk and hangout with the wrong people, yell at everyone, and start bad fights with my parents. I didn't want to cause trouble and I wanted to pray and read the Bible more but in my mind I would always say, I don't have time, and I don't know why I do what I do it just happens and there is nothing I can do about it. 

A couple years passed and I completely quit reading the Bible, I didn't pray at all, I was doing bad things, and hiding things from my parents. I have been questioning my faith for quite some time...I was confused because I LOVE sharing Christ with people, yet I wasn't living what I was speaking...all I was doing was sharing my knowledge of what I knew, I wasn't showing them what a relationship looked like. 

About a month ago I was talking to Jesse Hendon, and he helped me understand that what I was missing was a relationship with Christ. Since then I have felt a change in heart and soul, there was a peace I haven't felt before. I changed my ways and am continuing to change, I don't get into all the trouble or fight with my parents as much. I have started reading the Bible and look forward to learning more and I enjoy my prayer time more. 

I only hope to become closer and closer with God, and in every step I take I want to show others not only the love God has for us but how having a relationship with Jesus can change their lives. No more second guessing on my relationship with Him. I love the Lord with all my heart soul and mind and NOTHING will EVER change that!!

A Letter from Ashley

Here is another, heartfelt letter from one of our staff members, Ashley Beggs.  She has been serving in Kenya and has a passion to serve in Kenya. Please be praying for Ashley as you read her words.

Dear Friends:

as of today i have 2 full days left in Kenya. I am having mixed emotions. part of me is excited to go home to see my sister and mom and family, but i feel my heart will be left here. i hope this isn't some kind of "camp high." i really have no words to explain it. i really can see myself here next week and the next, etc. i haven't really thought much about home and returning. i have been able to stay in contact with kelsey and my mom on the phone, when i remember the time difference.

at the moment my mind and heart are torn.

i wish i could type more but there are lots of rambunctious and obnoxious youth who just entered the coffee shop and i can't concentrate. please keep the brackenhurst staff in your prayers while these teens are here. i've already watched grace clean up one huge mess for them to create another. (i think this is why foreigners hate Americans)

God Bless. and see you soon.

Ashley

"I have only a week left here in Kenya."

this has been quite a day. i'm starting to emotionally realize that i have only a week left here in kenya. everything is kinda slamming into me. josh fell asleep in my lap, that won't happen again, just seeing things and tryin to take them in. it's so difficult. we are also helping with a burial service for one of kiki's clients. her sister is also positive and just being around that has been an emotional drain. please pray that i can focus and be optimistic about the 7 days i have remaining and not think about leaving, but the good i can do while i am still here. this is a tough trip. lots of growing as a person and missionary. 

geez.

God Bless.

Ashley

Letter from Kenya

Dear Friends:


well today i started teaching CRE, Christian Religious Education, to 4th grade students. it is very different.
i have braids now as well, check my wall for photo. i am also a bit sunburned. i was sick yesterday. but am feeling much better today. don't know why i haven't been feeling well. hopefully after this week, i can go with kiki to visit clients, or people with hiv/aids.

yesterday, he (kiki) visited a couple who are both positive. they make necklaces out of beads of paper. they take paper and roll it into beads for necklaces. the couple has 8 children and this is their form of income. nick approached me with the necklaces and the need for a marketing strategy. i sold a few to the SIFE students and told them about the need for assistance. they are passing it to the kenya team. please pray for this family.

i have been a bit homesick because i am alone. besann came and encouraged me today as i prepared for class. it was super sweet.

i have been able to take a nap everyday i am at the school which has helped me feel better, too. i don't really know what else to say at the moment. will send something out maybe sunday after i've done more than teach. oh i did teach some students about noah and how he obeyed God by building the ark. i taught them the song "who built the ark? noah! noah! who built the ark? brother noah built the ark!" i remember singing that as a child.

that is all for now.

God Bless.


Ashley

Paintball at Highland Lakes Camp

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A Letter from Ashley Beggs

One of our staff members, Ashley Beggs, is serving in Kenya for four weeks.  Here is a note from her second week:

January 19 at 12:23am

hey guys!

i'm in week 2 of my trip and it's been amazing. i appreciate your prayers. please continue to keep our ministry in your prayers as well as our SIFE team who i traveling. i am working with kiki this week in visiting hiv/aids patients and we had a very hard visit yesterday in going ot support a family who had lost a member to the disease. the burial is next tuesday.

thanks for remembering me!

God Bless!

Ashley

 Please continue to keep her in your prayers and stay tuned for more updates from her trip. 

CANCELLATION OPENS UP 37 HOTEL ROOMS

Due to Cancellation we have 37 hotel rooms available Feb 18-19! Call to Reserve for your group Now!!!!!
Call Jackie or Dana to book your retreat. 888-222-3482 or 512-264-1777

Letter from Danny's Desk

Dear Friends of Highland Lakes Camp,

Your final gift of 2010 can lower your taxes and help students meet Jesus Christ in 2011.

Right now, Highland Lakes Camp has nine programed camps scheduled for summer of 2011 and if we see the same number of students who accepted Christ in 2010, than 1,220 students will have met their Savior.

You can help grow the kingdom and make the Bell Ring at Highland Lakes Camp with you gift this year.

Please consider making your gift by Dec. 31, to help Highland Lakes spread the good news of Jesus Christ to thousands of students in 2011.

Thank you for your generosity and God Bless.

Danny Dawdy

Executive Director