Bonfires on the Lake

Bonfires are an integral part of the camp experience.  When I think back on my own days as a camper, I have many special memories that took place around campfires.  Whether it was out on a wilderness trip or sitting around camp, I can still remember the songs that we sang, the conversations we had, and the delicious s’mores and banana boats we made.  More importantly, I remember the things God taught me as I sat in the darkness watching the flames dance around in the fire. 

Bonfires are part of the fiber of HoneyRock.  Every camper and staff member who comes through HoneyRock has had the experience of gathering around a fire and singing “Let Us Adore.”  Less common, however, is the experience of gathering around a campfire in the middle of winter.  What makes this particular experience so unique at HoneyRock is the fact that we build fires in the middle of the lake. 

Last winter I went to my first bonfire on the lake.  Even though I knew that the ice was several feet thick and that large vehicles could have driven safely on the lake, I was still nervous about it.  I mean, lighting a fire on ice just seemed like a foolish idea since I was convinced that the fire would burn a hole in the ice.  I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the fire remained entirely on top of the ice and that no one fell through.  It didn’t seem to matter to us that it was only 10 degrees out because the stars were clear and bright and the fire was warm.  We made s’mores and sang songs together.  At the end of the night we all gathered in a close circle around the fire and sang “Let Us Adore.” 

Let us adore the ever-living God
And render praise unto Him
Who spreads out the heavens
And establishes the earth
And whose glory
Is manifest throughout the whole earth
He is our God, He is our God
And there is no one else

Now my memory of the fire on the lake can be added to my list of special bonfire memories.  God is continuing to reveal himself to me and to us through the beauty of his creation—even on a cold winter’s night.