Summer Blogging...

Friends,

Summer has been phenomenal thus far. Ashley and I moved to Kanakuk K2 on May 12th and have been going 100 miles/hr. ever since. We have an incredible staff this summer who are committed to showing teenagers the love of Christ. It is such an honor to work in such a Christ centered environment. I would like to share Ashley and I's highlight thus far. Ash and I run our tri-athlete specialty at K2. Neither of us are legit in the sport but we love what God does spiritually when our bodies are stretched to the limit. A couple days ago we ran our first triathlon. Ashley was running side by side with a girl who was really struggling to finish. As they pushed through the pain this young lady began to share life with Ashley and explained that she was sick of quitting on the various aspects of her life. She also explained that up to this point she was unwilling to commit to giving her life to Jesus.

The last portion of our triathlon is a stretch of pavement called "Cardiac Hill" because of its long, steep incline. This young lady prayed to receive Christ as she was running up cardiac to finish. The rest of the specialty was cheering them up the last stretch as Ashley and this young girl cross the finish line in tears. Once they explained why they were crying the rest of us began crying as well...it was unlike anything I have ever been a part of. The entire group of kids and counselors rallied around this young girl and prayed for her and we all walked up to the office where she rang the bell signifying her commitment to Jesus Christ.

I will not be blogging regularly until summer closes out in August. We prepare for 9 months to pour our hearts into K2 and prayerfully there will be many more stories just like this. God is great and is greatly to be praised. Please feel free to email me @ shay@kanakuk.com

God Bless

The Relationship between John and K2

This is a picture of my baptism two years ago, the guys all around me are all stud leaders in my life who have impacted me greatly.. my dad is standing next to me on the left with the glasses.

Why John?

Thats the simple question I wondered about recently, Why John? What made him so passionate for Christ and so devoted to God that he gave up his life in order for Christ's name to be advanced?

After posing those questions I later realized a couple of days later that the reasoning behind his passion and devotion was no different than ours, excepting that he had this concept a good 2000 years or so before we figured it out. This concept is the idea that K2 and Kanakuk were created by, that God needs to be first, others second, and yourself to be third. In other words, yes; the saying I AM THIRD. John truly lived out and modeled the theme I am third to the max, for he consistently gave his desires and wants up so that Christ's own could be raised. John was a cousin to Jesus and was born before Jesus, and had gained the spotlight of the Jews of Jerusalem by baptizing them in water in the Jordan and constantly preached to them. Referring to John 1:19-28 we can even see that he is even asked if he is Christ, the Messiah to the Jews, which is a representative to how influential John really was. When he was asked if he was the Christ he gave an I am third like response to the question by saying, "I baptize with water, John replied, but among you stands one you do not know. He is the one who comes after me, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie." (John 1:26-28). He doesnt even consider himself worthy to tie Jesus' shoes!

When Christ was coming forth, John knew that he had step down from the mound and hand the ball to Jesus, so John once again put himself below Jesus so that Christ could become greater and accomplish the tasks that the LORD had set out for him. John told the people who eagerly listened to him during his testimony that,

"He must become greater, I must become less." (John 3:30)

I remind myself of that verse constantly wherever I am, whether it be at school, on the sports field, on a date, or anywhere. Keeping in the mindset of- How can I be more effective for Christ? can help you focus on what it true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8) and also keeps you humble and in the mindset of a I am third like attitude that John so faithfully strived to have.

LeBron James MVP 2009

LeBron has made me a fan of the NBA again. The Cavs are dismantling the competition thus far in the playoffs. Can anybody stop this guy? My guess is we will find out in the finals when the Cavs meet the Lakers for the dream finals (in my opinion)...I will be at K2 but will be rooting for LeBron. Check out these highlights for his MVP season.

Where did "Uncle Week" come from?

My brother, there is a long standing tradition at Kanakuk K2 that is only whispered about behind closed doors. It is a mystery that has confounded the wisest men and left them wondering, “is this oral myth based on a tangible truth or simply a figment of my imagination??” The sort of general malaise only genius possess in the insane lament. Well, as you know, legends are birthed by legendary men. Let me tell you the story of how UNCLE WEEK began…

Many…many….moons ago a child was birthed in the dark recesses of a mysterious Ozarks cave. His mother and father, who were eaten by bats (obviously) named this infant boy…”Hawkeye McGillicuty”. The young Hawkeye fashioned a crib from guano and ate endangered blind albino salamanders to survive the first months of his legendary life. The boy grew strong because endangered salamanders are high in protein (not to mention 50 years later we know that HGH is derived from this very Ozarks salamander). In those days the last grizzly bear still roamed the hills of the Ozarks. Affectionately known by conservationists as, “Betsy” this grizzly discovered the man-child and raised him as her own. At the age of 5 the Ozarks experienced a hard winter and old Betsy’s fat reserves had run out and she was left foraging the stony hills to feed her and her man-child. Unable to forage even a single grub Betsy realized she must eat the manchild to survive…

The following spring rumors circulated amongst locals of strange sightings: a child wearing grizzly fur streaking though the forest. None of those claims could ever be substantiated. Meanwhile conservationists mourned over the disappearance of Betsy, the last Ozarks Grizzly.

Years later an ambitious man named Joe White began building a kamp in the heart of Hawkeye Mcgilliguty’s territory. Hawkeye stalked the young Joe White bent on taking his life. On a crisp, winter morning Hawkeye leapt from a towering oak tree onto the broad shoulders of Joe White. The two manbeasts tumbled down the side of the Ozark mountain bulldozing everything in sight. Legend has is that these two Men fought an epic battle lasting 13 or maybe even 25 days. Their fury and tenacity collided like a Texas tornado uprooting the Hard Cedar and Mighty Oak trees leaving behind perfectly constructed kabins, weight rooms, soccer fields, tennis courts and a k-dome in their aftermath. When the dust finally settled Joe White stood facing Hawkeye McGillicuty, fists drawn and jaw clenched…

Some say those mighty men reached an accord that day, still others claim Hawkeye is waiting to deliver his final blow. The following day a band of faithful men arrived at K2 to pave the way for the first summer of the Lord’s work. They were dubbed “UNCLES” in remembrance of the epic battle between Joe White and Hawkeye McGillicuty where one or both men said “uncle” knowing that the Lord’s work must begin. The Legend of Hawkeye McGillicuty lurks like a mysterious haze over Lake Table Rock. Every now and then you will see a flash of grizzly rustling in the trees and if a cold shiver whisks its way down your spine you will know that the Legend lives on.

Did you know?

What DOES it all mean?

Victors Crown Bible Study

Our heartbeat at Kamp during the school year is to encourage kids in the walk with Christ. We have developed year round Bible studies as part of our strategy. For just the cost of the books, Kampers ages 7-12 have a unique opportunity to get into the Bible daily through Champion's Walk. Kampers ages 13-18 dig deeper into the Bible and what it says about their daily issues through the Victor's Crown. In both these 44 week programs Kampers read and do the lesson then report back to their Kamp Director at the end of each month. Kamp staff cheers your child on throughout the year in fun and creative ways. A special award time at Kamp the following summer puts a “BIG” bow on what God has already accomplished in their life through his Word!

Recently Andy Dolliver facebooked me on his experience. Here is what he had to say:

"Victors Crown has been a great experience because every morning it gets me started. It has not been easy. Many times I would much rather snooze for another 10 min. However, it is not that hard: all you do is read a bible verse, then read the study, and answer a few life applications. It's a lot like a Kanakuk bible study. It has also helped the relationship between my dad and I because we have done it together. He has encouraged me and taught me, and I have done the same for him. The hardest part for me were the first few months, but after that it has been something that has become a norm during breakfast."

I agree with Andy, making time for God isn't always the easy thing to do. As Christians we are called to seek God and obey His commandments regardless of how we feel. Andy, I am proud of you for being faithful to God's Word. Thanks for your example!!

http://www.kanakuk.com/store/default.aspx?dept=kuk+spirit+dev

Former Kanakuk K2 Counselor Pete Ittersagen signs a free agent contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars

"Wheaton, Ill. – On Sunday evening the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars signed Wheaton College graduate Pete Ittersagen to a free agent contract, following the 2009 NFL Draft. Ittersagen is the 15th Wheaton College football player to sign a professional contract, including 12 NFL contracts. Ittersagen’s contract with Jacksonville comes one year after the selection of his former Wheaton teammate Andy Studebaker who was the 203rd pick of the 2008 NFL draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. Studebaker is currently a member of the Kansas City Chiefs.

Ittersagen, a three-time All-American for the Thunder, graduated from Wheaton in December of 2008 with a degree in Business and Economics. A three-time All-American, Ittersagen has been a standout at both cornerback and return specialist. His 60 career passes defended, is fifth all-time in Division III history in the category. Ittersagen’s five career punt returns for a touchdown established a new school record and his nine career touchdown returns (five punt, three interception and one kick) also set a Wheaton College record. He is the program’s all-time leader in punt return yardage with 65 punts returns for 1,075 yards (16.5 YPR). The four-time All-Conference selection at cornerback recorded 252 career tackles, with 189 solo stops. Ittersagen noted on Sunday evening, “It is a blessing to see all of the hard work that I have put in pay off. However, I still have hard work ahead of me.” He added, “I have had some wonderful opportunities at Wheaton and it is great that things have turned out like this.” In 2008 Ittersagen concluded his brilliant Wheaton career as a unanimous Division III All-American with selection to the Associated Press’ “Little All-American Team”, as a First Team honoree. He was also recognized as a First Team Division III All-American by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) for the second consecutive year and was named a First Team All-American at cornerback and a Second Team pick as a kick returner by D3football.com. He was named the North Region “Defensive Player of the Year” by D3football.com. He returned 25 punts for a school record 464 yards this season, averaging 18.6 yards per return, with two returned for a touchdown. He finished the season ranked second in Division III in yards per punt return. Ittersagen helped lead Wheaton to its first-ever NCAA Division III Playoff Semifinal appearance with three touchdown returns in the team’s four postseason games." - Article from offical Wheaton Thunder website:
http://http://athletics.wheaton.edu/news/2009/4/26/FB_Pete_Jax.aspx