The Meidal Family: Almost-Spring Update

Its been a couple of months since our last update! Here is a brief summary of the what we've been busy with here at The Oaks.

Winter Camp! We had a record number of campers at Winter Camp this year..over 350! The theme was "The Amazing Race," based off of Hebrews 12:1. It was warm enough to add a mud pit to our list of activities, which ended up being a huge hit! Eastern Sky Theater put on a short theater production with a powerful, impacting, life-committing message.

At the final session, the campers were given the opportunity to write down on cards anything they wanted to bring before God, bring them forward and lay them down at the foot of the cross. Almost 200 teens came forward. Among the list of issues brought before the cross were hatred, pornography, drugs, self-cutting, family problems, and drinking. Many rededicated their lives to Christ during this time, or gave their lives to Him for the first time. One such card read: "I love you Lord. I miss you so much and I confess that I have been off track. I need help Lord, I will be stronger because of you!! And I know that and I pray that I no longer be afraid to speak of you and trust you."

the mudpit

climbing wall

worship time

all the campers' beautiful faces!

Staff Retreats: Men's and Women's This year, instead of having an all-staff retreat like the camp has done in past years, we had separate men's and women's retreats. The women met at the beach and the men met at a Christian camp in Ojai. The overall goal of the retreats was to further develop and discuss the idea of what it means to be a Christian community at The Oaks. Jared and I consider it a unique privilege to be a part of such a distinct community--we live together, work together, eat many meals together, do ministry together, and have fun together! But, as you may guess, it also comes with unique challenges! The men's and women's retreats presented us with the opportunity to get off-camp, away from distractions that often keep us from pursuing community, and to be honest with one another about the struggles and joys of life together at The Oaks. God used, and is still using, these retreats to bring about more fruit in the lives of our staff and community as a whole.

sunset at the beach during the Women's Retreat.

Trip to Indiana: Recruiting and Support-Raising In February, we went back to Winona Lake for almost two weeks to reconnect with family, friends and supporters. We had the opportunity to do a ministry presentation at my home church, Winona Lake Grace Brethren, and also visited several Christian colleges to recruit summer staff. We left feeling so encouraged and blessed by our community in Winona Lake!

During our ministry presentation, Jared interviewed the Andrew family about their volunteer experience at The Oaks last summer.

We got to enjoy some snow while we were in Indiana...at least enough to make a snowman!

Micah enjoying some cuddle time with Grandpa and Grandma.

Joey loves Grandma's good cooking!

UPCOMING EVENTS/THINGS YOU CAN PRAY FOR:

Cruise Across Camp 5K Fun Run & Walk!

This year at The Oaks we are hosting an inaugural 5K fundraiser to raise money for our Leaders in Training program. The Cruise Across Camp 5K Fun Run and Walk will be held at The Oaks on May 12. Online registration is now up and running...and you can even participate virtually if you live far away! Once you register you can customize your own fund raising page to help us raise money for the cause. For more information or to register, visit 5k.theoakscamp.org. To learn more about the Leaders in Training program and how you can make an impact, visit www.grouprev.com/cruiseacrosscamp.

Outdoor Ed! Outdoor Education camps begin early April and will be running almost every week until the end of May. We are looking forward to seeing what God will do in the lives of the campers and parents this spring! This is Jared's busiest time of the year...and it will be extra busy with our foster-to-adopt certification going on at the same time. Please pray for strength and endurance for us over the next couple of months. Immediately after the Outdoor Ed camps end, summer begins with our first summer staff arriving over Memorial Day weekend!

Foster-to-Adopt Certification Thank you so much for your prayers and support regarding our decision to adopt through foster care. Our application has been approved by Children's Bureau and are on our way to get certified to be foster parents! March and April will be full of interviews, classes, more paperwork, and a home-check. We are so thankful that God has continued to open doors for this process. Our goal is to have our certification completed by the end of the Spring, and to take in a baby in the fall (after the craziness of summer is over).

In the meantime, we are enjoying our boys more every day! Here are some recent photos of them in all their cuteness.