Monday, May 12, 2008

Giving, summer camps and priorities

As wannabe YAWNers, Mrs. Expat Teacher and I try to give away a double-digit percentage of our income to the Church and good causes. And an annual ritual is giving to YoungLife for summer camps.

This year, we'll be able to send two kids to camp (a first for us). Mrs. Expat Teacher has already decided to send a teen mom and her child to camp via the YoungLives ministry. I am torn. I can afford to send a kid to either Malibu or Beyond Malibu. What am I to do with my limited resources?

As a once-saved, always-saved kinda guy, Malibu, with its strong focus on conversion, is a tempting recipient. Sending a kid to Malibu could alter their eternal destiny.

But there is also Beyond Malibu. It focuses on taking kids on intensive week-long camping trips to develop a deeper and stronger relationship with Jesus. It isn't conversion, but discipleship that kids experience at Beyond.

I attended both camps as a camper. I have worked at both camps as volunteer staff. Both are near to my heart and there is no question that God lives in Princess Louisa Inlet during the summer, so I will be sponsoring a kid to go. But to which camp?

What should I do with my limited resources?

|