I'm desperatley trying to think of a boom-worthy title but just can't right now... so lets just call this 'another blog from Susie'

So my intention was to write on here after every single camp… I think I must have had illusions of how much ‘free’ time we might have because Glaslough finished a week ago, the first week of CSSM is nearly over and I’m only writing this now! It’s good though, being kept busy, I’m certainly learning more than I ever thought I might!

So bear with me as I try and cast my mind back to the Border Counties Camp in Glaslough… it feels like it was months ago, so much has happened since then! But on the same note while I was there it seemed to last months - not because it was boring and dragged on but simply because I came away from it feeling like I had known everyone there for so long that it couldn’t possibly be only a week! So anyway we did a camp called Rocky’s Plaice all week long with the kids up to age 12 and then in the evenings we had time to hang out with the local youth, get to know them a little and just try and show them God’s love. I was in the Electric Eels (age 10-12) throughout the week (along with Lacy and Craig). We had a lot of fun, played lots and lots of games, heard the shark song waaay too much (if you don’t know how that song goes, ask Orla, she’ll sing it for you ;) ) and even got covered in raw egg and cream starring as Salt and Vinegar… All together now!(to the tune of heads shoulders knees and toes) ‘salt, salt and vinegar, vinegar. salt, salt and vinegar, vinegar. We’re the trainee chefs who make a lot of mess, salt, salt and vinegar, vinegar!

Not only was working with the kids really good, but I also had an amazing time helping with the youth in the evenings. On the first day I met an amazing girl who really just seemed to reflect exactly who I was a few years ago, my heart cried for her as I listened to what she said and more importantly what she didn’t say, sadly I didn’t see her much after that but I’m trusting in God that some of the things we talked about had a real impact… seed was sown, I may never see the results but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any. We had great fun on other nights too listening to some guys from a local band (MGRB) play guitar and sing probably the best cover of falling slowly I have ever heard. Another night was spent making some ‘interesting’ face masks from banana, ready brek, yogurt and sugar and plastering them on our faces (until Hannah decided that hers tasted better and belonged not on her face but instead in her mouth… whatever floats your boat Hannah!). I could say lots more about Glaslough, we had such an amazing time with the kids, with the teens and especially with the team (LEGENDS!!!) but I fear if I carry on talking about all that happened I will never get to talking about the first week of CSSM!

So, CSSM! Here I am at Hillside church, Greystones, the home of all CSSM workers for the past week and indeed for the next week too! I am working with the Sardines this week (no, not the tinned variety, the 10-12’s here, it took me a while to get a hold of the lingo for all the different CSSM activities but I think I’ve got it now!). I love the team I am on, we probably have the largest group of kids coming along to our activities so it can sometimes be tough but I love that it gives us a real cross section of personalities. For those of you who have never been to CSSM before it consists of team time in the morning before a beach service for all ages at 11.15, activities in the age groups in the afternoon and then ‘treasure seeker’ groups (small discussion groups) in the evening along with more fun activities. Today we had the legendary drama in the morning, a picnic with the families after and in the sardines we have just finished the ‘vegetable grand prix’ and I have just finished my talk to the sardines on David sparing Saul’s life (1 Samuel 24 for those of you who want to know what I’m on about). I have to admit I wasn’t sure how well my talk was going to go, I usually use drama to illustrate what I’m talking about but I really felt I should try something different this time… I think it went well but you’d have to ask the kids if you really wanted to know! Orla and I lead a small group in the evenings of 10 year old girls, it’s going well, we’re getting some interesting discussions and hope that they will go from strength to strength as we head into the second week.

I feel like I’m rambling on about nothing very interesting right now so I think I shall leave it there… if you have read down this far congratulations and I shall try to write something a lot shorter next time I get my blogging head on. Your prayers for all us interns and the camps we are working on are hugely appreciated and as before I asked Orla to help me put together a few prayer points below if you want to support us and the work we’re doing in prayer :)

- Energy as we head into the second week of CSSM… being out of our houses from before 8am until about 11pm gets tiring! So does being with kids 99% of the time!
- The kids and teens that are coming along, that God will become more and more real to them
- For the small groups that we are leading, that friendships will flourish and discussions will make an impact.
-That as we take on more responsibilities in camps such as talks and leading discussions that we will have the right attitude, be doing it for the right reasons and also have God’s wisdom and integrity in al we do and say.
- the weather! It may seem like a small thing but here at CSSM everything depends on the weather, especially the beach service in the morning so please pray that the rain will stay away and that we might even see a bit of that elusive irish sunshine!