Houston Men at the Cross with Joe White

View from were I sat stage side at Men at the Cross - Houston

I got home mid afternoon today (Sunday) from an amazing weekend traveling with Joe White to the Men at the Cross event in Houston, Texas. The event was held at the Toyota Center and approximately 5000 men attended. I've spent time with my family, taken a short nap and watched some Olympics. I have pictures from back stage at the event and stories to tell from the trip. The photo above doesn't say much about the event. Call it a teaser if you will, much like this e-mail. Tomorrow I will try to post first about the things I saw God do at the event.

Other topics on the list:

American Gladiators, Tim Oliphant on stage with Joe White and Bishop Larry Jackson
Men at the Cross speakers for Houston
Meal at Irma's Southwest Grill
3 services at 2nd Baptist of Houston
Brandon Heath Concert
The Kanakuk Booth
Kampers Spotted in Houston
99 Balloons video
Coffee in a Cabinet
Views from the Omni Hotel
Notes on my trip buddy Greg O'Dell.
"Houston has the best restaurants anywhere!" - Doug Goodwin

Seriously, you have got to check in here the next few days.

I love being home with my wife and kids.

Facebook friends make your comments in the original post at Inside Kanakuk.

K-Kauai - Kanakuk Family Kamp is better than Disney World?

[Picture removed]

I recently had a conversation with Doug Goodwin the Co-Director of K-Kauai - Kanakuk Family Kamp and he said that he has people tell him that their kids prefer Family Kamp over Disney World. OK, I can buy that because I've seen it and heard the stories. Today I ran across this post by MattMurph that confirmed just what Doug was saying.

Here's a short excerpt from that post:

The week is over, and one item of interest keeps standing out. Most of the 40 families there while we were had all been to Disney World before. And time and time again, I heard the same story from families who asked their kids earlier in the year if they would rather go to Disney World or Kanakuk? Each time the kids would give the parents the unanimous decision for Kanakuk.

I have to stop right there, because that seriously blows my mind. But on the drive home, it clicked:

Kids would rather have authentic, inspiring, and challenging activity based interaction with their family, well trained Kanakuk staff, and counselors, then have entertainment to the multi-million dollar N'th degree from Disney. Put simply, it's authentic interaction vs. world class entertainment.

All reflections aside, we had an awesome and unforgettable time and can't wait to go back.

The Kamp is just 3 years old and the word is still getting out about this little gem of a family experience. Have you been to K-Kauai? What was your experience and how would your kids answer the question: Disney World or Kanakuk?


Facebook friends make your comments in the original post at Inside Kanakuk.

Lake Shore Drive Bridge Update - It's Open!

This morning the bridge looked like this. More like a bridge but still clearly under construction. I had a meeting with Doug at Starbucks in downtown Branson, so at 11:00 I made what would turnout to be one last trek around the detour. By late this afternoon the bridge was open and looked like this.

County Commissioner, Danny Strahan, who oversees road issues came by the office to officially let us know that the bridge was open. He said it was a 90 day project that was completed in just 27 days! It obviously didn't just magically appear there. Some serious hard work and sweat went into getting it done. Many thanks to everyone involved throughout Taney County.

K-1 parents coming to closing ceremonies next week will get to enjoy the new bridge. We sure do thank all our parents who patiently and graciously came the "long way" around to pick up their children!

It's been a great summer already. So many Kampers have put down deep spiritual roots and left a legacy in the hearts of the Directors and counselors. What a privilege it is for us to share just a little time with your children.

Earlier I met with Collin Sparks, the K-Kountry Assistant Director. He's already planning for the winter and thinking about the best ways to stay connected with all his new friends. It's obvious he's pouring out every ounce of energy to make this summer life-changing for every Kamper. Thanks Collin for loving on our kids.

I just met with JGM about innovation, man I love working with that guy, he super creative! I've never met someone with his spreadsheet skills who loves to think big picture, and out of the box like he does. It's really fun and I'm blessed.



Facebook friends make your comments in the original post at Inside Kanakuk.

K-Kauai Kanakuk Family Kamp Chapel Dedication

The outside of the newly dedicated Hale Makua (House of God) Chapel at K-Kauai - Kanakuk Family Kamp.

Yesterday morning the new chapel building named the Hale Makua (House of God) was dedicated at K-Kauai - Kanakuk Family Kamp in Branson, MO.

In the Chapel, after the morning session with speaker, Greg Smalley, parents stayed to share in the dedication ceremony. Doug Goodwin, the Executive Director of K-Kauai, shared briefly with the parents about the opening day of K-Kauai in 2007. Months of hard work had culminated in a flurry of last minutes problems , but things were being taken care of and finally the grounds were all ready for the first families to arrive. Then the rain came. Several inches of rain in 45 minutes just minutes before the gates were to open. I remember that rain because my wife and I had dropped two of our kids off at K-Kountry just 15 minutes earlier. The torrent of rain came and and washed away much of the landscaping that had just been completed that morning, water flooded many of the newly finished cabanas, just that afternoon carefully cleaned and ready for families to move in. Doug described sitting, in the rain, near one of the pump stations with tears in his eyes, he realized that it wasn't going to be his strength that fixed this mess. At that moment he gave the opening day, the disaster recovery, the months of hard work to the Lord. God brought all the right people to aid in the recovery, provided just the right resources, and that first week of Kamp was amazing.

Doug described that the Chapel would be used during the winter months as the classroom for the Kanakuk Institute students. Half of the theater seating will be replaced with tables during that time.

Worship in the Hale Makua

Doug told everyone that dedicating new buildings is a tradition at Kanakuk and that he was thankful those attending Kamp that week could take part in this. He prayed and then there was a time of worship, and singing led by some of the K-Kauai summer staff.

Joe White

Joe White, President of Kanakuk Kamps, then got up and spoke. He talked about K-Kauai being a "Kingdom dream" a place that was often requested by families over the years. Doug Goodwin, he said, had a vision for the family Kamp and Joe said Doug should be the one to build it. Joe said that a family trip to Hawaii was the inspiration for the island theme.
Joe had arrived during the worship time and he related to the gathering how it might seem like a small thing but that it was really special to see all the couples holding hands or with arms around each other. It might be a small thing but a part of the dream for K-Kauai.

Joe gave some history on the spiritual foundation of America, the removal of the 10 commandments, and the downward spiral that has occured the farther we get from that Godly foundation. He said that President Reagan referred to families as the "bricks and morter of America." The dream is being fulfilled that Kanakuk Family Kamp would build up and support the bricks and morter of this country.

Joe addressed the timing of the chapel being built by saying that as construction plans were made funds ran low and it was God's timing and the realization that this place needed a special indoor chapel that brought us to this point.

Joe thanked everyone for participating in the dedication and turned the ceremony back over to Doug.

Doug shared stories of people impacted at Kanakuk Family Kamp over that last 3 summers. Even this summer already many kids have placed there faith in Jesus Christ. When they do, they ring the bell in the middle of Kamp as a public proclemation of their decision. The bell has been rung so much this summer that it's broken and being replaced with a better, stronger bell.

Doug shared that Family Kamp has introduced many families to Kanakuk and now their children have experienced the depth and impact of one of our Kamps for kids. Doug asked for people to join them in prayer that the mission and impact of the Kamp might continue.

The Dedication Prayer

Everyone in attendance got up and surrounded the sanctuary seating, holding hands, there was just enough to reach around. Will Cunningham, Co-Director of K-Kauai Kanakuk Family Kamp, open the circle in prayer. Doug then prayed a prayer of dedication and thanks to God, expressing a desire for more impact and God's blessing on the Kamp, the Chapel and all the families that come there.

The Dedication was then closed and many of the families stayed around laughing and talking for several minutes.

Joe and Doug stayed to talk to a few families as others cleared out to head to lunch and reconnecting with their kids.

The Chapel Foyer

The Hale Makua Chapel is themed like the rest of the camp with bamboo trim and weaved bamboo ceiling panels. A tall rectangular window at the front is surrounded by beautiful stone work. A custom stained glass window is planned with the cross and tennis shoes logo. A small stage at the front shares the same stone work. The building is equipped with a professional sound system, video projection, and stage lighting, and men's and women's bathroom facilities.

In my 8 years with Kanakuk I have experienced many dedications of facilities, programs and people. I appreciate seeing God get the glory for the things that happen at this place. It's clear that God uses Kanakuk to show His love. I'm glad that I can be a part of it even in a very small behind the scenes way. It's also fun to share these things with you because I know, you too, see God at work here and enjoy rejoicing with us.

Do you have a Kanakuk Family Kamp experience you can share with others? Leave a comment below.

Pictures by Lindsay.

Facebook friends make your comments in the original post at Inside Kanakuk.