 Camp Elim
is a Christian recreational camp in the Colorado mountains near Colorado
Springs. Camp Elim exists to provide a youth-centered retreat
environment for evangelism, spiritual growth and training that encourages
the practice of biblical values in the home, the world and the Body of
Christ. Year round activities for youth include camping, sports such
as volleyball, baseball, and archery, and other activities in a Christian
atmosphere. Thousands of children and youth have attended.
As the
Hayman Fire approached the vicinity of Camp Elim, the camp was initially
evacuated June 10th due to intense smoke. However, campers and staff
were allowed to return. Another evacuation was ordered on June 17th,
as reported by Jay Brady, director of Camp Elim, in a newsletter published
in July 2002:
- "It was our second evacuation of the
camp, but we all knew this one was different. The first evacuation on
June 10th was voluntary, but the smoke was so thick no one wanted to
stay another day. This evacuation on June 17th was mandatory. The
Hayman Fire was out of control on its eastern flank and fanned by
winds to fire heights of 150 feet in the air. Many of us feared as we
drove away that it would be the last time we would ever see Camp
Elim."
-
- "At one point when we certain that camp
was gone, Geri Faulkner [Food Services Supervisor] approached the
Teller County Sheriff and asked about camp. He responded,
"Camp Elim? Oh, it's fine." What a relief!"
In spite
of being driven by high winds, the fire stopped 0.6 miles short of the
camp, leaving no structures physically damaged. The following eyewitness
accounts of of the fire as it approached Camp Elim, also published in the
July newsletter, are testimonies of God's grace and power:
- Steve Tapia is the Ranger in charge of the
Manitou Experimental Forest which surrounds Camp Elim. Steve was
helping fight the fire, and later related to Shawn Willoughby
[Facilities Manager] this reaction: "I was working with a group
of firefighters on the eastern flank, and it became obvious we were
losing ground fast. We kept having to retreat in the direction
of Camp Elim as 40 mile per hour winds whipped the fire into a 150
foot inferno heading straight towards us. We were in the process
of retreating one last time when all of the sudden we looked around
and the fire just disappeared. We looked at each other and said,
'Where did the fire go?' They had no idea what had happened, but
I knew. It had to be God. I had been praying and I
knew you were too. What happened when that fire stopped doesn't
happen with fires. It just doesn't happen."
Another
eyewitness report published in the July newsletter, from people working to
try to save a nearby business, stated:
- "Neighbors who were trying to save
Casey's lumber mill near the camp drove to a high point in the forest
to watch the advancing wall of flame. The experience forced them to
admit, "It looked as though the hand of God came down and stopped
the fire. The fire formed a horseshoe around Casey's and in the
direction of Camp Elim and spared both. That shouldn't have
happened because the winds were obviously driving the inferno straight
towards them."
During the
evacuation, groups of up to 40 firefighters at a time stayed at the camp,
sleeping in beds for the first time in weeks. Many were from the elite
"hot shot" crews who had only known sleeping in their trucks,
sleeping in the ash, and even on the fire line. They were very
appreciative to sleep on mattresses that most of us find "lumpy"
and eat food served in the dining room instead of from the back of a
truck.
Jay Brady
also reported that hundreds of Emails and phone calls from people all over
the world were received, telling them that they were praying for the
safety of the camp. Mr. Brady summarized:
- "There is one thing that I am absolutely
convinced of - God is not finished with Camp Elim yet! Not only
has He protected the camp property, He has done so in a miraculous and
unmistakable way. Even though the flames came within 0.6 miles
of the camp, from our property we see no burned areas at
all."
Mr. Brady
also requests that we lift up in prayer those who have suffered greater
losses in the fire, and that we continue to pray for the ministry of Camp
Elim. While no structural losses were sustained, they have suffered
financial losses related to 5 weeks of canceled camps and destroyed food.
More information can be obtained about Camp Elim at Camp Elim.com.
The
satellite images shown below graphically illustrate God's Hand in not only
saving Camp Elim, but also allowing it to return to normal functioning
rapidly. These images can be also seen and downloaded at SpaceImaging.com.
The image on the left shows an overview of the total fire area, taken
June 20th. The pinpoint location of Camp Elim is shown. The enlarged
photograph (4 meter resolution) shows in detail where the burn area ends,
and Camp Elim begins.
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