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Meet Devon Remmington! Summer Role: Co-Games Coordinator  Although Devon is newly married and it is one of the busiest seasons of his life, he comes out to Charis every spare minute to increase the “fun factor” through things like Campfire Songs, Talent Shows and Dance Parties! Devon has a history of memorable hair choices like long mohawks, bright colors and dreads, not to mention his epic outfits. You know when Devon shows up because the noise goes up a few decibels and silly camp songs are soon to follow. What’s your story, Devon? “Well, I knew of the existence of God most of my life but it didn’t become my own faith until Grade 9. I had a great Youth Pastor who really took time with me, invested in me and taught me what the Bible actually said. All this developed into a real relationship with Jesus.”  How has Charis Camp impacted you?
“I don’t think we have enough time to answer that question. Charis has been a place where God has stretched, grown, molded and developed me in more ways than I can count. I have been coming here since 2003 when I signed up to be a Cabin Leader at 17 years old. Camp has been the most significant thing in my life. Now there are leaders here that were my campers. It is so amazing to see what God has done!” What’s God up to in your life now? “He is taking me down to my foundation and wants to build me back up so my focus isn’t so split and I’m not distracted by so much. God needs to be my main focus; if He is my focus I don’t have to worry about all the other stuff.” Devon was married to his beautiful bride December 29th, 2018, works in Landscaping and serves as a Tae Kwon Doe Instructor when he’s not investing at Camp. Camp has changed Devon’s life and his huge heart for Jesus shows as he serves on the Charis Camp Board and continues to volunteer Summer after Summer to make sure the legacy of life change continues! Meet the gal behind the T-shirt design that all the staff and campers will be wearing- Katrina Larson!  Tell us a bit about yourself!
“I am 17 years old, I go to online high school, and I’m the middle child of five. I’ve always loved art of all kinds, mainly painting and drawing. Art is my passion, although I have also loved theatre and have performed in two shows.” How has camp impacted your life? “Camp last year was a place where I could escape from the world and just be with God and in his presence. I felt as if I had a chance to process my life, and have a chance to take a look at everything and be able to step away from the craziness of life.” How has God challenged you recently? “God has really taught me so much about myself and how to love myself. He’s really taught me that I can’t love those around me until I love myself, and that’s been so meaningful for me.” Now for a fun fact! “I have 31 plants growing happily and healthily in my room and they’re my favorite thing to see every morning!” Onto the T-shirt design! What are your thoughts on what you created? “I'm really proud of this design because I think it represents a lot of things. The path is God's path for us that we follow, and our job as leaders is to show how God has given everyone His own path for us. The mountains are also something that I've always loved, and I feel that they represent Chilliwack and their forests and life there. “My hope is that this T-shirt is more than just a T-shirt. I hope that in the future you could hold that shirt and remember the memories you had at camp. Remember the joys, maybe some tears, smells of pine, tastes of marshmallows by the fire, and all the friendships and the kindness of people.” So there you have it! But don’t worry - you’ll see Katrina in more than just her design. This summer she will be an LIT for a second time! Danaye Reinhardt is thrilled to be part of the Program Team at camp this year!  Tell us a bit about yourself!
“I’m currently going to UFV (University of the Fraser Valley) and trying to determine my future, which is super intimidating but also exciting. I love to write anything from sci-fi novels to poems about calculus, as well as play sports and gaze at brilliant stars. I also have a collection of 46 thimbles, which I started when I was eight, even though I don’t sew.” How was your life growing up in regards to faith? “A good chunk of my family have been involved in ministry in one form or another, and my entire family is Christian, so Christianity is very familiar to me. I don’t even know when I accepted Jesus into my life, but I imagine it must have happened at some point! For me, the journey wasn’t about ‘becoming a Christian’ but discovering what that looks like and how to make my faith personal and honest.” How did you get involved with camp? “Both my grandpa and my dad helped build parts of the camp, so I’ve followed my family’s footsteps (by investing in camp, not building things). I first came here as a baby during family camp...then ten years later I started coming as a Huzzah camper. I’ve been here every year since--first as a camper, then as a LIT (Leader in Training), kitchen staff, guest host, and finally program staff!” How has God challenged you recently? “Many of the decisions I’m making are focused on the future (where to attend university, what career to have, etc.) and it’s been challenging to trust God through it all. Lately I’ve been confronting my faith--learning what it means to trust God in the midst of uncertainty, learning of the constancy of God, and learning, simply, what faith is. How can I trust that God holds my future? What does consistent prayer look like? It always seems to come back to the basics of Christianity for me--faith, prayer, and Jesus. I’ve learned all this before. Somehow I’m always re-learning the foundation of my faith and it always comes back to Jesus.” What’s your favorite camp memory? “I was a first year LIT during the last night at camp, and two of my campers wanted to stay after chapel as the worship band played. We must have talked for an hour or two and I tried my best to answer their faith-based questions. We talked until after everyone (including the worship band) left, and sitting there on the carpet, those two campers gave their lives to Christ. It’s a tie between that memory and the time I misjudged how long my legs were, tried to jump over the creek, and broke my ankle. I had to be carried out of the forest by one of the leaders.” What do you expect from God this summer? “I expect changed lives and nothing less. I mean, there’s never been a week at camp where God hasn’t done something. Personally, I am praying for spiritual renewal as a leader and as a Christian.” What can you tell us about your program role? “I will be in charge of the tuck shop, so the cabin leaders can blame me if all the campers get sugar rushes. I’m also leading the work crew and mentoring the work crew girls, and I’m both excited and nervous for that...but praying for God’s strength. I’m excited to invest in these young leaders and see what God will do in their lives! On top of that, I will be continuing to do some write-ups and interviews for the Charis Connect Blog (a.k.a. what you’re reading right now)!” We are pumped that Danaye is investing another summer at Charis Camp! She is a quality leader and we are blessed to have her on Staff! If you would like to financially support Danaye as she serves and heads back to university in the fall, click here! |
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