Thoughts from Former Staffers

"I learned about the world even though I was secluded in His perfect creation. I found hurt in precious young eyes and knew that all I could do was love - but I pray it meant so much. I scrubbed toilets and somehow found joy. I played like I did when I was younger and my imagination has never been so intense. I held their hands and they grabbed onto my heart. I saw beauty in everything I laid my eyes on. When I sang, I listened to the words. I placed my arms around little girls who cried and used my feet to walk the hills and carry Christ's love with me. In place of complaining, He gave me words to say in Bible study. In place of pain he gave me hope to carry on and the knowledge that this was exactly where he wanted me to be. He gave me sisters on staff to uplift me and used words and laughter of his beautiful daughters in my cabin each week to sustain my genuine smile. He gave me peace when my girls were afraid of thunderstorms, creativity when I made up bedtime stories, and love when I had nowhere to turn. This was a summer of healing. I needed so much to get away from the jumble of decisions and wonderances in my mind. he taught me I'm free. I pray I won't forget."

He said GO;

I went.

HIS will became my own;

and at times I truly forgot myself

and relied on him.

THAT was freedom.

So tonight my heart is heavy as I think of being back in the "real world" because the fact is, camp can't be explained. I can't take you all with me through every day and see the things I saw, feel the things I felt - the emotions, the hard times, the good times, and most importantly, God through and in it all. because if anything I've realized that Christ is ALL and in ALL.

Abigail, Counselor

It is a great honor to work on staff at Camp Mundo Vista. I can't even begin to name all the ways that God blessed me through the two summers that I served there. You start the summer off thinking, "How can I show these little girls that come to CMV how much God loves them?" But in the end, the girls end up showing you how much God loves you and teaching you so many things that it's overwhelming.

Traci, Counselor

 

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My favorite part about camp has always been singing camp songs! It was my favorite as a child, and this summer I loved getting my girls excited about singing songs! I also love cabin time and shower time. The schedule of camp keeps us so busy that I feel like those are two of the best times that I get to break down walls with campers and get to know them really well. At camp I felt God's presence more prevelant than ever before. He showed me the importance of living a life that isn't mediocre or mundane like the majority of the world, but that as His daughter, I am called to take chances and leaps of faith and risks in order to serve Him... All things I knew prior to camp, but through campers and other staff I was able to see this, and so the ideas became more real to me. Through the campers and staff God introduced me to all different walks of life, and I was able to expand my compassion for people through living and spending time with them.

Robyn

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I think the greatest story I can think of from both the summers I've worked comes from the second week of Summer '04. I had a little girl named Logan in my cabin. At worship that Thursday night, I had the opportunity to lead her to Christ. Even now, I can think back at how it felt to pray with her, and I can still see the joy that was in her eyes. She was laughing and crying, and was so excited. It's the moments like that one that make camp worth it.

It would be easy to sit at home during the summer, or work in a store somewhere and hang out with friends, do all the normal "teenage" stuff. But there has never been a doubt in my mind that God had bigger plans for me. The mountain has touched me, the campers have touched me, the staff has touched me. I only hope that I have had an impact on them as well.

I think it's so important that the campers see that you can be a Christian and have fun and act stupid. It's easy to get the impression that Christian's have to be uptight and perfect. I love the fact that I can show them that it's ok to be yourself for God.

This is the essence of camp to me. I strive to show the girls that God is real, and that He cares, and that I care as well. Often, they just need someone to love them.

Elizabeth

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Camp in a nutshell . . .

Working at Camp Mundo Vista is unexplainable! The amazing things that happen on the mountain cannot be told in just a short paragraph. Some people talk about camp as being a job. I don’t look at camp as a job because you get to have fun with kids and teach them about God all summer. The excitement of praying with a child to accept Jesus Christ for the first time is unexplainable. The relationships you form with the staffers and with the girls every week are bonds that can never be broken. The way you grow with God on the mountain is like WOAH! Every summer that I have been at CMV, God has shown me so much about myself and about Him! It’s just amazing!!

Amanda, Cabin Leader

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Camp Mundo Vista has a special place in my heart. Camp is a place that I feel God’s presence at every moment. We are always embraced by God’s beautiful creation: the outdoor chapel, the walk to the cabins, the trees that surround us, every camper that steps onto the mountain each week. It is truly a blessing to be able to serve and worship God in such a beautiful place.

Esther, Camp Leader 

 

 

 

 

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Before I came to Camp Mundo Vista this summer I allowed the emotion of fear to take hold of what God can do through me. For example, I never played guitar in front of others because I was afraid of not being good enough. I was afraid of the idea of doing a Bible study because I had little experience in leading one, and I was also afraid of swimming. While working at CMV this past summer God gradually began to help me concur these fears and taught me courage. I came to camp wanting to have a positive influence towards campers; however, I got more than that. I gained the courage to step out of my comfort zone by singing, dancing, playing guitar in front the campers during worship service, leading daily Bible studies, and learning how to swim. I also built everlasting relationships with the Campers, Camp Counselors, Staff members at Camp Mundo Vista, Missionaries, Parents, and others who had also taken part in making Camp Mundo Vista a place of excitement and passion for God and reaching out to His people. 

 

Sabrina, Cabin Leader