Kamp Kanakuk is considered by many
experts (kids), to be the best Christian
camp in the country. And they should
know. Thousands of them have passed
through there every summer since 1925,
so there is a quite extensive alumni
list. It’s a high energy, high
adventure, high profile kind of place
and their motto is “I’m Third.” The
Director of the camp, Dr. Joe White, has
written a book called Life Training
and that’s exactly what goes on at
Kanakuk. We heard him speak at Focus on
the Family’s “Life on the Edge” seminar
for teens and their parents and were
very moved by this powerful, yet humble
man of God. Frank and I heard so many
rave reviews, we finally looked into it.
Great website, great facilities, great
staff, great reputation. Even Max Lucado
wrote very lovingly about Kamp Kanakuk.
On July 21st, we put Paris and Jordan on
a plane to Branson, Missouri for what we hoped
would be the greatest adventure of their
lives. They were so excited as they
boarded the plane and Capri was equally
excited about being an only child for
two whole weeks. Hugs and kisses and
reminders and warnings and promises and
they were off. Frank couldn’t believe I
cried. Men…
That was a Saturday. Weeks earlier, we
were assigned a Username and a Password
to enter the “Parents Place” once we
visited their website. I assumed (you
know what happens when you assume), that
if we had E-Mail access, that the
kids would have E-Mail access.
Wrong. I assumed they could E-mail us
daily since phone calls were not
allowed. Wrong. I assumed I would hear
from my little petunias during the first
few days. Wrong. They left Saturday at
noon and arrived at the camp Saturday night. No mail goes out
on Sunday and the letters they wrote on
Monday did not arrive until Thursday. I
was not pleased. By Wednesday, I started
to E-mail various “officials” at Kamp
Kanakuk:
Dear So and So,
Could you please check to see
if Paris and Jordan Lofaro are alive?
I would greatly appreciate
your immediate response.
And could you please move more
quickly than the
Missouri mail?
It seems very odd to me that
the campers cannot return E-Mail.
I really think you should
change that policy. Makes no sense.
In Jesus’ love,
Ellie Lofaro
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I shot this off to three or four
people who were “in charge,” according
to the website. Of course, I did not
bother Dr. White--- I know my
bounds.
They all responded by the next morning,
bless their hearts. Paris and Jordan
were doing just fine and one of them
even spotted Paris “smiling big.” I felt
some small comfort (very small), and
that afternoon, I ran to the mailbox at
the sound of the mail truck brakes.
Capri followed close behind—It felt like
a scene from an old war movie. There
were three letters for me and Frank and
two for Capri. Jackpot! I ripped mine
open as if my next breath was to be
found inside. I read Jordan’s letter
first:
Dear Mom and Dad,
Camp is great! We had church
this morning in the woods and the
speaker really made me think about God.
We have a lot of fun activities and I’m
learning a lot. The main thing I have
learned is that I should always be
third. (Jesus first, others second). I
signed up for football and I made a lot
of friends. They also have a lot of
water sports at the lake, paintball,
archery and other stuff. My cabin is
great and the food is great. During free
time, I am keeping up with my Bible
reading. I really feel that I have
gotten closer to God. I miss you guys
soooo much. I think about you every day.
I’ll tell you all the details when I get
home. Sorry Mom, I am not keeping a
journal.Our cabin is awesome. I have to
go now. I love you. Thanks for sending
me here.
Bye. Jordan
P.S. I definitely want to come back next
year !!!.
It was Jordan’s first and last letter
from Kamp Kanakuk. He was obviously a
very fulfilled young man. On the other
hand, Paris, (who aspires to sing and
act in air conditioned venues), wrote
once or twice each day. Her
letters suggested that she was not
a happy camper. Every one she wrote
was quite similar to her first, with
little variation:
Dear Mom and Dad,
I miss you so much it’s not even
funny! It’s so hot here and I can’t get
clean. I have HAD IT with insects. If I
ever become President, I will make them
illegal. I am so sick of taking a shower
only to get sweaty again! I took the
ropes course and got five big bug bites
and a rope burn on my neck. I had fun
kayaking yesterday but I hated the dance
class. Tubing was good. It rained very
heavily today—a glorious downpour.
There was a sudden thunderstorm in the
middle of the Bible study and I prayed
really hard that it would be really
serious so we would all have to be
evacuated. I lost a sock and a white
towel and I was starting to grow a
unibrow, but fortunately, I found my
tweezers. I saw Jordan. He seems pretty
happy. I miss everyone soooo much and I
can’t wait to come home! Is there any
way I can leave sooner?Please???
The Top Ten Things I Miss:
1.
Capri
2.
Mom and Dad
3.
feeling clean
4.
air conditioning
5.
Sprite
6.
my CD player
7.
television
8.
movies
9.
clean clothes
10.
a bug
free environment
I’m
out of stamps, paper and envelopes.
Write soon and send some.
I’ve been reading my Bible, but I
haven’t memorized any verses because
it’s too hot.
Love and hugs and kisses,
Your dear but sweaty daughter Paris
P.S. Only eleven days left to go !!!
I laughed as I read those two
letters and I cried and I marveled at
how kids who are growing up under the
same roof can be so different. I shook
my head in amazement. I wonder if God
shakes His head at me some days. He sent
me here on a most exciting adventure and
I often make lists of what I’m forced
to deal with and what I don’t have. How
grateful I have become for His mercy and
grace. How I yearn to experience joy in
every circumstance. How I covet
the wisdom and understanding to count
all things loss for the sake of the
Gospel. I meditated a long while on the
camp motto: “I’m Third.”
Not quite yet, but I’m
working on it, Lord.
