Where do we start

Well the last post I left was on Tuesday night in Missouri. We now sit in a classroom on Northwestern College's campus in Saint Paul, Minnesota and much has happened between this time. Before getting into what has been going on with camp I will leave a brief update on our family.

Well, on Wednesday afternoon Drew had a seizure. It was a very scary few moments for us as our little guy was unresponsive. We called an ambulance and took him to the emergency room. After several hours in the emergency room and a battering of tests he was determined to be fine but had a virus. We were then transferred to a well-known pediatric hospital in Kansas City about an hour away. From there two pediatricians looked him over and determined that he was fine and was just fighting a virus. So, after eight hours of stress and emergency rooms, we were released and made it to a friends house to rest and get some sleep. Over the next few days Drew's fever went in and out and there were moments of stress but many more moments of joy as Drew was getting back to himself. Thank you for all of the prayers over the last week. We appreciate the many encouraging texts and emails.

So, back to camp. Our first week in Missouri went well. The first week of camp always has some ups and downs as we try to get everyone on the same page and familiar with our program. The staff did a tremendous job of loving on their students and leading them to the throne of grace. Sometimes as a small group leader it is hard to lead students to Christ. Not in an evangelism sense or anything like that but just literally leading people to get to know Jesus more. I say this because as a small group leader they are the authority in the group and often when a question arises from the group it is easy for the small group leader to answer that question. The result, though, if that happens often enough is that the student becomes dependent in some way, shape, or form on the small group leader. So, essentially the staff member is between the student and their relationship with Christ. We take every effort and reminder to the staff that they point students to Christ and not to themselves. That is something we have constantly been stirring up in the staff by way of reminder.

Camp here in Minnesota is going great. The staff were fantastic on Sunday at exhibiting aggressive hospitality. At worldview we take great measures to make sure that we make parents feel comfortable when they arrive on campus. Let me walk you through what happens when parents come onto campus. Imagine yourself driving in a car with your son or daughter or even just yourself coming to camp. When you arrive at the turn on campus you see a friendly face in a red staff shirt waving at every car driving by. They have a smile on their face and are jumping up and down, excited that you made it to camp. As you drive past the staff member at their direction, you follow the Worldview Academy signs and along the way see another friendly "red shirt" directing you to turn up to the dorm. As you begin driving up to the dorm there are red shirts everywhere running around, waving, cheering that you have made it. They run alongside your car until you arrive at your parking spot. Once the car is parked your doors have been opened and at your side is one of our staff introducing themselves and welcoming you to camp. They ask where you are from, how many times you have been to camp, how far you have to drive, etc. While they are greeting you, there is another staff member greeting your husband/wife/son/daughter. As you get out of your car and come around to the back the luggage is already out of the car and there is a staff member ready to run it inside to your son or daughter's room. After confirming your student's name, the staff member runs off and takes your luggage with you. From there you are greeted by yet another staff member who walks with you to registration. Upon arriving at registration you are greeted again, given a lanyard, a wrist band, a room key, and are told who your son or daughter's small group leader will be. From there you are directed to your room where your luggage is waiting. Upon arriving at your room you are greeted by yet another staff member who makes sure that you are comfortable with your room and that there is nothing that you need. Then, after becoming comfortable you are given time to unpack and then camp begins...

Before closing this post I want to ask you to pray intentionally for us. Through emergency room visits with regards to Angela's pregnancy as well as this most recent experience with Drew, we have some medical bills that are beginning to accumulate. We have some money that we can use for these bills but with additional pregnancy bills coming soon, I just would ask that you would pray intentionally for us. We know that God will provide as He always has. He is mighty and great and we are excited to see how He will in fact provide. If you know anyone that might be interested in partnering with us, please let us know. We are trusting in the Lord in this. Thank you for your prayers.

Mike Tiland