YWAM Camp Recap
Part 1
Hello friend, welcome to the blog!
This year, I had the privilege of going to Kona Hawaii for the YWAM Commission Youth Camp, and I wanted to share my experience with you!
I was already about a month late when I decided to register for camp. My best friend, Ania Tillery, had told me about the camp months before, but I had completely forgotten about it. She reminded me one night while we were having a picnic; and told me that if I wanted to go, I needed to register as soon as possible since tickets sell out so quickly. Even though I needed to act fast, I still procrastinated. I wanted to go, but I thought that there was no way I could afford it. I wrestled day after day, until one morning when I went on a prayer walk. I prayed that God would speak to me so clearly, and He is faithful every time! I heard His little whisper say, “Ella, just go! I will take care of the finances; this will be a life-changing trip and you will never be the same.” That was all I needed; I immediately felt so much peace about going, and after about a week of anticipation, I got the confirmation email that said “Aloha Ella, you are IN!” After I decided to go, my brother Jadon and our close friend Kaden also registered. They too got accepted, so now Ania, her brother Devyn, Jadon, Kaden, and I were all going together! We even got on the same flight! And the Lord provided the finances just like He said He would! I raised all the money I needed to go, and I am so grateful for everyone who helped support me to go on this amazing trip!
Even before camp, God was answering prayers and making a way left and right! A couple of weeks before camp, my dog, Zoe, got hit in the eye with a ball. Her retina detached, and the surgery for a detached retina is CRAZY expensive. Jadon and I were going to have to use the money for camp toward the surgery, so we were not going to be able to attend camp. After hearing that news, Jadon, my sister Neriah, my brother Noah, and I all huddled around Zoe and just started to pray that God would heal her eye. After about 5 minutes of prayer, we looked and her eye was fully healed! PRAISE GOD! Now not only was my dog healed, but Jadon and I could go to YWAM Camp! This is such a testament that God wanted us to go to camp!
On Saturday, July 13th, at 3:30 am, it was finally Hawaii time!! We were taking a shuttle from St.George to Las Vegas at 6 am, we were in the car and on our way by 5:15. As I got in the car, my phone started to blow up with text messages. I thought that it was everyone on our group thread saying how excited they were, but when I checked, my stomach dropped. It was Kaden, and he said that our flight got delayed. Instead of 10:30 am, it was now at 1:17 pm. And, we got separated from Ania, Devyn, their older brother Dion and their mom Kereina (who were also going to Hawaii while Ania and Devyn were at camp). We were going to arrive at the airport at 7 am, and then have to spend the whole day there. Not to mention, we were going to miss the opening night of worship at 6 pm because our new arrival time was at about 9 pm. Everyone immediately started to pray. When we got to the airport, we talked with some employees, and they put us on standby to wait and see if any seats were available. Ania’s flight got delayed as well, so for 3 hours, we walked around the terminal. We had so much fun though, and literally walked 4 miles! When it was time to board, the sweet man who was helping called us over, and gave Kaden, Jadon, and me 3 boarding passes! So not only did we get to fly with the Tillerys, but we were all sitting next to each other! And now we wouldn’t miss the opening night of worship!
Travel/Arrival Day was AMAZING! Our first flight was 6 hours, and we all just slept and I watched the Lord of the Rings (who else loves those movies?!). I also got to see the ocean for the very first time from the window! I was freaking out; my mid-west girl energy was hilarious! We had a layover in Honolulu, and on this second flight, we weren’t all sitting together. Kaden and I were sitting at the front of the plane across from each other, while everyone else was sitting in the back. I got to sit next to the window, and the seat beside me was empty when I got there. I immediately started to pray that I girl possibly around my age would sit next to me, and guess what…. that is exactly what happened! The Lord cares about the little things because this sweet girl who was 17 years old (just like me!!) sat right next to me. We immediately bonded; we both are the oldest child and have 3 younger siblings, both of our families love soccer, we both love pasta and most importantly, we both LOVE JESUS!! Her mom is even best friends with someone in a leadership position at YWAM South Carolina (where she is from). What an amazing start to the trip so far!
After we landed and met up with the camp staff at the airport, we all loaded up on the bus with other campers and headed towards the YWAM Kona Base. You could just feel the excitement on the bus, everyone couldn’t wait any longer. When we arrived and stepped out of that bus, we were greeted and a whole group of staff cheered like crazy! It immediately felt like family; even when we checked in everyone was introducing themselves and getting to know one another! Ania and I weren’t in the same room, since she is 18 and I am 17. Even though we were bummed, we both felt peace about staying in the rooms we were assigned. After I was guided to my room, I met my amazing counselor, Destiny. She gave me a hug and a note specifically for me. I felt so special and loved; even just 10 minutes into the camp! After picking out my bed, it was time for the night of worship! Destiny walked with me down to the Ohana Court; where we had all our sessions, worship times, and most of the games. The entire night, I was just in awe of how beautiful Hawaii is. All the palm trees, flowers, and THE OCEAN! I could see it from almost every point at the base! I couldn’t find Ania because there were so many people; so I just waited for worship to start. They had set up all the instruments and singers in the middle of the Ohana Court, and all of the campers and staff worshiped around them! While I waited, I turned around and met a girl named Jael and her brother Jehu. They were both so nice, and it was their first year at camp as well. I didn’t know yet, but Jael was actually in my room! (I found out later after worship.) As worship started, Ania called me and we both ran around and around the worship circle, trying to find each other. We finally did, just as they were about to start the first worship song. I was blown away at how amazing the worship was. Not only musically, but all 500 students and 200 staff were raising their hands, jumping like crazy, and getting undignified for the Lord. It reminds me of 2 Samuel 6 when the Ark of God was brought back to the city of Jerusalem. When it arrived, the people rejoiced “with shouts of joy and the blowing of rams’ horns.” King David even “danced before the Lord with all his might, wearing a priestly garment(or linen ephod).” Yes, King David was wearing his underwear while he was dancing (that is what a linen ephod is). Afterward, his wife Michal rebuked him for the way he acted. In chapter 6 verses 22, David says “Yes, and I am willing to look even more foolish than this, even to be humiliated in my own eyes!” Now, I’m not saying that everyone at camp was worshiping God in a linen ephod, (no one was doing that I can assure you) or that we should be doing that. The point is, that David didn’t care how foolish or undignified he looked while worshipping the Lord. At camp, no one cared what they looked like, we were all just focused on giving God glory! It was amazing to be in a room where everyone loved Jesus and wanted to show it! It was an amazing time; people got healed, and Jeff and Frenchie (the two men who started Commission Youth Camp) gave out words of knowledge to people. The Lord was already moving, even on day 1!
After worship, I went to my cabin and met the girls I was bunking with! Bea, Jael, Erin, Melany, Lora, Pheobe, Miranda! I became quick friends with Bea, Jael, and Erin. We all shared a little about ourselves and got to know each other while we unpacked. It already felt like family! I went to bed that night, eager for the days ahead, and excited to see what the Lord was going to do.
Stay tuned for part 2: releasing next SATURDAY! I love you guys so much!
