50 years of Peña de Horeb
PREPARATIONS
At the end of September, I flew back to Spain for a final week of preparations before our event. It was a fun and busy week filled with landscaping, decorating, and setting up. On the day before the guests arrived, all the volunteers took time to walk around the camp and pray over the specific areas we would be serving in. It was such a special moment of giving thanks to God for all the ways He had provided for our team throughout the past year to bring us to this day.
WEEKEND ACTIVITIES
The whole weekend was full of meaningful moments. On Thursday evening, we kicked things off with a four-course dinner (shown in picture 1). Friday’s theme focused on camp ministry, and several speakers led discussions about how Peña’s camp ministry has impacted the community over the past 50 years, as well as what the future of camp ministry might look like. On Saturday, we enjoyed our long-awaited carnival, a paella lunch, a puppet show, and a gospel choir performance. Finally, on Sunday, we closed the weekend with a church service and cake to celebrate the 50th Anniversary.
One of my favorite parts of the weekend was our memory wall (shown in picture 2). We wanted to create a space where people could look back on memories from the last 50 years at Peña, so we put together a photo board filled with old pictures we found in the archives. I also wanted it to connect with our vision for the future. On the table, we created a timeline where people could add their own memories—whether from attending as a camper or from their time as a volunteer. On the photo boards, we added string and clothespins so anyone could hang their prayers for the next 50 years of the camp. Throughout the weekend, I loved stopping by the board to read what people had written. This is truly a place where God is working in and through His people for His good.
SATURDAY'S CARNIVAL
Running the carnival on Saturday was my main responsibility for the weekend’s activities. Overall, it was a very successful day. Our many volunteers did a wonderful job managing each of the booths and handled last-minute changes with such flexibility. I spent most of the day moving between booths, troubleshooting and helping wherever I was needed. Everywhere I went, I could hear laughter and excitement. Kids, teens, and adults alike were having so much fun playing games, winning prizes, and creating crafts together.
Just a glimpse of the fun we had during the Carnival
As the weekend came to a close, I was overwhelmed with gratitude for everything God allowed us to experience and celebrate together. From the memories shared to the laughter filling the camp, every moment was a beautiful reminder of His faithfulness. Seeing volunteers, past and present campers, families, and friends come together reinforced just how special this place truly is. It was an honor to play a small part in this milestone celebration. I left grateful for the connections I made through this camp and excited for all that God has in store for the next 50 years at Peña.
