Family Camp at Wamplers Lake

   Our first experience at a Christian camp for families turned out to be very special. Al and I met our son-in-law, daughter and two youngest grandsons at a beautiful setting in the Irish Hills about an hour southwest of Detroit one Friday evening. We stayed in a lodge along with another family of five—plenty of space and privacy too.

   The camp went from Friday till late Sunday afternoon, with planned activities to keep us all busy and lots of unscheduled time for the kids to play as well. Al and I took our bikes and enjoyed riding around the conference grounds adjacent to Wamplers Lake. Kayaks, canoes and swimming in the lake were also available. In addition to spending time together as a family, we also enjoyed forming new friendships during the weekend.   

   A guided kayak trip to a Catholic Shrine on an adjoining lake had been advertised beforehand along with a couple of other special activities. It sounded like a fun adventure; however, I didn’t realize what a challenge it would be for someone who was a beginner. Canoeing with someone else doing most of the paddling is much easier!

    It was a small group that met at the waterfront after breakfast on a cloudy Saturday morning. The wind was against us, making for choppy water and hard work paddling. After several minutes of nonstop paddling, I was ready to turn around and go back. My body was aching and progress was slow. The lake seemed much bigger than when we first pushed off from the beach at the waterfront.

   Instead of turning around, I decided to grit my teeth, pray harder and focus on using the correct strokes to propel the light little craft. Then there was a surprise! After going around a point of the shoreline, our guide turned into a narrow waterway that supposedly led to a second lake. We didn’t have to cross Wamplers after all! 

    Everything changed once inside the channel. The trip became as I had envisioned it—quiet and serene with time to look at the scenery passing by. It wasn’t long before we had crossed Iron Lake and were at the shrine. St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and Shrine were well worth seeing, with the Stations of the Cross starting above the lake by the church and winding along the shore. I was so glad that I hadn’t turned around!

    Before leaving, our guide adjusted the back of the seat and the foot rests in my kayak. Those things, along with the wind at our backs and strength from the Lord, made it easier going on the return trip! We straggled into the dining hall as lunch was finishing up, glad for the chance to rest weary muscles.

   On Sunday morning, church was held outdoors on the sloping bank of Wamplers Lake. After the worship service and communion, all of those in attendance walked to the waterfront where a young mother, her three children and a twelve-year old girl were baptized. It was a very joyful time for them as well as for those of us who stood on the shore watching.

   I learned something about perseverance at family camp. It is important to count the cost first before committing to something!  Once committed, persevere to the very end. Perseverance is also required in our walk with Jesus! Lord, please help us all!

    “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, ‘This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.’” Luke 15:28-29 NIV

  

   “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” Isaiah 40:29 NIV