NAVYONNY WIDYANI

August 28, 2020 SUMMER 2020 605-326-5690

NAVY’S REFLECTION

As a first-timer at SLCC and a counselor for all five weeks this summer, I had the opportunity to be with the campers, staffers, and fellow

counselors in person. At the beginning of each week, I would ask the girls

in my cabin where they were spiritually and what they wanted out of

their time at camp, in hopes that God would work in them through me. I

also aimed to put into practice the messages given from the theme this

summer, “Go the Distance,” with all the campers who came my way. For

staffers and fellow counselors, I would write a note of affirmation to each

person at least once during the time we worked together. Then once in a

while, I would invite staffers and fellow counselors to venture deeper into

the significance of going the distance. Ultimately, I wanted my efforts to

make everyone at camp feel revived after leaving the place. Even

during meal times, I prayed in my heart so that a simple “how are you?”

would spark meaningful conversations and bring positive impacts for

campers, staffers, and fellow counselors alike. What a joy it has been to

witness campers day by day grow in their faith, become more confident

in being the beloved child of God, and share their thoughts about going

the distance! Staffers and fellow counselors would tell me that they, too,

gained valuable lessons throughout camp. But little did I know at the time

being that I myself needed to hear about going the distance and someone

who needs reviving just as much as everyone else. My realization came as

I write this reflection. Enduring hardships, renewing one’s strength, and

the fact that one cannot finish a race alone were some of the things the

Bible leaders at SLCC this summer spoke on, and I had to do exactly those

things during camp. Meanwhile, everyone opened their arms to me, a

newbie, without hesitation. They showed me grace as I figured out the

ways of SLCC for the first time. They poured love, joy, and hope into me.

Looking back, I notice how everyone’s smile was a bit bigger, everyone’s

face was a tad tanner and everyone was a better version of themselves

throughout camp this summer-- including me. I thank God for being able

to meet all the campers, staffers, and fellow counselors that were

present, and I look forward to next summer at SLCC!

Navy Widyani

I want to introduce Navy to you. She is a young lady who came to us through Hesston College from her homeland in Indonesia. As college students, both of her parents converted from Muslim to Christianity through on campus bible studies. Navy grew up as a Christian where Christianity was intentional and sometimes hard. Her sweet spirit and quick smile endeared her to us immediately. I have come to respect her faith and her willingness to seek understanding. She has blessed us and we prayerfully go with her as she continues her Education. Jerry Kroeker

This last summer started slowly. To begin, our eight summer staff did not arrive until the first of June, this is about a week later than normal. We immediately spent a week near Custer, SD at the Circle K horse ranch painting, hiking and getting to know each other. When we arrived back at camp, we shared our personal faith journeys and prepared for the kids. Finally, on June 21, the first of the youth camps arrived. Praise God. We had a great time. We did a few things differently because of concern for the virus. Much of our worship was out doors which was an unexpected blessing. Logistically speaking, the whole summer went very smoothly with our overall attendance running about 85% of last summer. Although some regular kids were missing, we welcomed some new campers as well. It makes me wonder about next summer. –Jerry

ALONE VS. COMMUNITY

TIFFANY’S REFLECTION

If you are like me, there are times when you feel as if your relationship

with Christ has come to a plateau. We are neither distant or close, and we

are blind to how to strengthen our faith. How do you continuously grow

closer to God? We can draw near to Christ through reading His word,

praying, and finding a community. It takes a lot of effort to commit yourself

to the Lord, but the bible challenges you to “devote your heart and soul to

seeking the Lord your God” (Nehemiah 6:16). 2 Peter 3:18 also encourages

us to put forth the effort to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord

and Savior Jesus Christ”. We do grow through immersing ourselves in God’s

word, and staying steadfast in prayer, BUT leaps and bounds are taken

when we are accompanied by our brothers and sisters in Christ. This is

what I witnessed this summer. Often, we are quick to want to do it alone.

We think we learn more reading the bible alone then going to church. We

believe that it is OUR relationship with Christ, so why involve others? My

thoughts on it?

Some of our most influential spiritual moments may be in our quiet

time, BUT we cannot limit ourselves by only growing in the context of our

own perspective. It is amazing how our faith grows when we study God’s

word and seek to be Christ-like in the context of community. Community

encourages us with support. “Though one may be overpowered, two can

defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broKen”

(Ecclesiastes 4:12). Involving yourself with your brothers and sisters in

Christ exposes you to different perspectives. We each have personal

experiences with our faith that could assist others when heard. One of us

may be strong in self-control, while another is strong in patience. Neither is

better than the other, but both are necessary to become complete in

Christ.

It is so important to create a God-centered community that is inviting

and welcoming to others. Use the opportunity of being surrounded by

godly men and women as leverage to hold yourself to a higher standard.

When all trust and praise is given to God He extends blessings. “No one has

ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is

made complete in us” (1 John 4:12). Let us use our knowledge of our Lord

to build each other up,

and to learn from each

other in order to grow

closer to our creator.

Share struggles, pray

together, share joy, and

give hope.

Tiffany Saltzman

One of the biggest changes I have seen in our world today is that as staff/counselors/campers arrive, the majority of their cur-rent communities are one step away from reality—they only exist online. This year, especially, I have seen our lives being lived behind a computer screen more than ever before. They may have a huge online community that includes a large number of friends-of-friends that they have never met. Or maybe they have online communities that they have a great time interacting with through messaging and video chats. While our societies definition of community might be changing, I don’t think camp has lost sight of the importance of a good, old-fashioned in-person community. I got to watch them all learn how to navigate the waters of communal living and decision making. I watched them eat together and engage with one another over delicious home-made food. For some, it was the first time they had to be apart of a community of people who were sharing a space, and working, together, to make things happen. The hardest thing for me this summer was to watch the last of my summer staff drive down the driveway, because I saw the body of Christ become real this summer. “Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.” (1 Corinthians 12:27) I was a witness to the amazing things God can do through a body of believers. Each uniquely designed for a part of his work in growing the kingdom of God. We became a community joined by love for God and created a safe place for all its members. No one was better, no sin is stronger, no struggle to small. -Tiffany Saltzman

PIANO NIGHT

PICTURES

Piano Night, a Swan Lake Christian fundraiser, is just around the corner. On Saturday, November

14th we will be hosting this annual event. The night includes an incredible homemade meal, music played by local musicians and the fellowship of friends. The evening begins at 6 p.m. in the Still Waters Retreat Center. Call to make a reservation.

605-326-5690

BOYS BATHHOUSE The bathhouse is coming! The bathhouse is coming! One if by land. Two if by sea. This latest project is underway! The exterior framing has been completed. The new bathhouse is adjacent to the west side of the chapel. The need for this project dates back sort of to 2003 when the camp replaced its out of code septic system. The then recently built boy’s bathhouse was not compliant with county codes. Jerry had promised to fix the issues when finances allowed and had been given the grace to do that. Its time to make good on those promises. There are other issues as well. The building was built at the end of the gang shower era. Camp has long since put in dividers, but the spacing was tight. Mostly, we are just putting too many boys in too small a space. The new bathhouse will include nine showers, each with individual changing areas like the girl’s bathhouse. We are choosing surfaces which can be more easily cleaned and maintained. We want to honor both privacy and a proper level of supervision. Boys have been known to get a little rowdy on occasion (not your kids, I talking about the other ones). By moving the location, we are able to connect to the existing septic with no lift station saving money and a maintenance nightmare. The other benefit is that we can access the new bathhouse from either the outside or from inside the chapel giving more bathroom space for groups using that facility. The new design will allow for use by both genders by having two separate sides. The camp board of directors anticipates this 24’ x 42’ structure to cost approximately $40,000. The rafters were purchased last year and the cost of much of the plumbing has already been covered. We know that this is a strange year, but we trust God that some of you will be able to help out either financially or through gifts of labor. Please reach out to Jerry as you are able. Our hope is to enclose the structure so that we can work on it this winter.

DVTD

Dvtd (pronounced devoted) is a company passionate about creating a marketplace with a mission. Multiple companies have come together to create devoted, to help support missions and causes all over the world. Whether it is socks to support homeless teens or candles to stop human trafficking, each company has a mission to make the world a better place. Now you can shop this marketplace, help people around the world and support Swan Lake Christian Camp as well.

Judi Kroeker, the SLCC office manager, has signed up as a DVTD affiliate, and when you shop her website, she will give her profits back to the camp. It is a great way for you to shop for the things you need, shop for gifts for family and friends for any occasion and support great causes all at the same time. Just go to www.premierdesigns.com/swanlake and start shopping.

Bless This Nest- baby items Calyan Wax Co. – candles Caus- stainless drinkware Double Edged Notes- journals Elegantees- Women’s t-shirts Gobena Coffee – fair trade coffee Hand in Hand- soaps & sugar scrubs Hippy Feet- socks Jenessa Wait- hand scripted art Joy Paper Co. – note cards Premier Designs – jewelry Soupbox – soaps and lotions

http://www.premierdesigns.com/swanlake

SUMMER MEMORIES