Many Things, One Soul

Hello friends and family!

Did you know that 413 people can eat approximately 32 full sheet pan sized pizzas? That means each person on average consumes about 33 square inches of pizza! And we’re pretty sure the teen campers contributed more than their fair share to the average. Summer has arrived and we’re up to our ears in more than just pizza!

Camp News

June 2nd was our first day of staff training. The first half of the week included general sessions and activity training for the whole team. Counseling basics, philosophy, policies, and rules are all covered during this time, as well as practical Bible studies to equip our staff for their next four to nine weeks. On Wednesday, everyone changes gears to learn their particular jobs for the summer. It’s fun to see how God puts together these little ‘teams within a team’ so that each individual has opportunities to grow.

Ironwood is now in its third and final week of sponsor camps. We’ve been able to see God bring many campers to the point of decision about salvation, assurance or surrender to His will. But campers aren’t the only ones being impacted! The busy schedule and intense environment of camp also pushes our staff into a closer walk with the Lord. Over and over, we hear stories of counselors, operations and program team members who are forced to rely on His wisdom, strength, and direction. God is glorified when we run to Him, even when no one else sees!

Palkki News

The days are past when Gabe could spend part of the training week preparing for the rest of summer. He was very busy with vehicle orientation, equipment training, driving tests, and teaching camp prep. On Mondays, he gets between 15 and 20 counselors to help him clean cabins and program facilities. Gabe is also responsible for checking counselor cabins on that day to make sure they are ready for campers. The rest of the week is full of vehicle and shop projects. We’re thankful for his assistant, Landon, who has already helped him finish all of the annual servicing on camp vehicles. They’ve also handled several repairs on regular work trucks and are currently trying to solve a mysterious ailment of the Hospitality truck that causes it to randomly stop running altogether. Gabe would especially appreciate prayer as he works with Landon, who has a lot to learn about the Bible, the Gospel, and what it means to be a follower of Christ.

I half-expected to be dreadfully bored once we finished the ceiling project, but this has not been the case! I’ve been able to assist Gabe with camp prep training and help oversee crews on two Mondays so that he can check cabins. There have also been a couple openings for me to volunteer in the kitchen. Another unexpected, but fun opportunity to serve came from my friend, Marilee. I got to hang out with her two little boys while she made and delivered iced coffees and Italian sodas to different teams. I’m so thankful for creative friends who let me be a part of their ministry! Besides these things, I’ve kept busy with house cleaning, doctor’s appointments, and trying to convince Diesel that he will make more friends by not launching all 30 pounds of his excited self at people he meets.

  Summer is always a reminder that people are important. This is not a novel concept. History’s most sadistic dictators would tell you that people are important, though they might differ on which people and how many. But a unique aspect of Christianity is the emphasis placed on the individual. God judges every man for his own sin. Each person must make their own choice to enter His kingdom. Even in the Gospels, Christ’s character is not primarily revealed though His speeches to the vast crowds, but in snapshot interactions with individuals.

If God places such a high value on the individual, shouldn’t I? I can’t really afford to look at people as mere components of a whole population: a toddler in the nursery, a clerk at the store, a teen in Leadership Live. God’s kind of love demands that I appreciate every person for the one-of-a-kind, eternal soul that they are. And that takes a lot of work! It means really listening, taking time to connect, being a student of needs different from my own.

Out of the 8,229,083,594 people on earth, God gives me a moment with one. I need His grace to make the most of that moment!

Love in Christ,

Gabe and Cheyenne Palkki

PS: Sorry for the dearth of pictures in the Gallery. I've been hiding from the sun. Also, check out Dylan & Marilee Holsclaw's prayer letter! Gabe and I have loved working alongside these fantastic partners-in-ministry!

PPS: If you'd like to help us celebrate and prepare for Baby Girl, shoot us a message from the Contact page and I'll make sure you get a link to our baby registry. We can always use Amazon gift cards for the mountains of diapers and wipes in our future!