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CRA Hot Rod Camps, Int'l

Camp #5

CRA Hot Rod Camp #5

July 5-12th, 2009

held at Goodguys Nationals in Columbus, OH

July 25, 2009

CRA Family and Friends,
 
CRA Hot Rod Camp #5 is now history and just a memory of the 6 young men (literally from the West Coast to the East Coast) who attended the camp. We had 8 CRA builder/leaders and many others who stopped by to lend a hand. It all started Sunday afternoon when families brought their sons for the beginning of CRA Hot Rod Camp #5. The excitement was definitely present as we anticipated what God was going to do at this camp. We started the camp build at ‘Classic Resurrections’ shop Monday – Thursday noon, with the frame and all the running gear. All the men at this street-rod shop were very generous in letting us work in their shop as well as showing us their line of expertise. A special thank you to ’Classic Resurrections’ for allowing the CRA Hot Rod Camp to be held there and for the many times they helped us out.  The body went to ‘Paintz by Sam’ for its paint job; frame, body and grille shell. Thursday we moved the camp build location to the Columbus Goodguys Event along with the car and trailer to finish the build there. While we experienced many little challenges (I was thinking, “is this a test”?), my wife kept reminding me; "Our God is an awesome God, He reigns from heaven above with WISDOM, POWER AND LOVE."
 
This is the second time that Goodguys has welcomed us in to their Columbus National event and we are grateful for that as it allowed CRA Hot Rod Camp to be in front of thousands of people giving them the opportunity to see how Gods love and our CRA builder/leaders are working in the young men’s lives. These young guys had an opportunity to be exposed to God’s Word in the morning Devotions and in the evening Shop Talk sessions as well as day to day workings. We were blessed to work with these young men to sow Gods Word in to their lives; a real life change was witnessed within them. Saturday night CRA Leaders Randy & Judy Scott blessed CRA with a picnic and great inspirational gospel music. During the evening two of the young men told of their life experience during the week at camp, which was not only a blessing for the 50+ in attendance but for me as well. This year we had each one of the CRA builder/leaders pass a ‘wrench’ to the young men, which symbolized ‘a pass of the torch’ with the inscribed words, CRA Hot Rod Camp 2009.
 
Since the car encountered a situation allowing it not to start on Saturday, Sunday morning we headed to the fairgrounds to continue working on the car until it was time for the CRA Chapel Service. The service was awesome … Pastor Dale had the young men stand, talked about them and the camp and then prayed over them. After services we went back more encouraged then ever to the car to get it going. Although many were disappointed I kept telling the boys it was okay, they didn't quite understand but we emphasized it wasn't about the car it was all about them and their getting to know Christ. The awesome way God revealed Himself was nothing short of miraculous; the car started in time for us to be the last car to go through the Goodguys Awards Ceremony. But, that’s not the ending…the great crowd of people present stood, clapped and cheered as the car, the young men and the CRA leaders went through. The Goodguys staff shared such positive and affirming things about the CRA Hot Rod Camp and the young men. I don't think there was a dry eye there.
 
I want to thank all the CRA builder/leaders for their significant help and dedication to the young men, the camp and for sowing in to their lives as well as mine; Dan Jeffries, Kevin Jeffries, Randy Scott, Carl Roeger, Jim Beaver, Bob Rutlidge, Rick Eibey, Bob Alford and Steve Snider they kept on going ‘til we got er done’! They showed Gods love and light in their lives as they kept working together and alongside the young men.
 
As for the housing and the feeding of these young guys, I cannot say ‘thank you’ enough for their dedication of getting up early and staying late to serve and show love to all of the campers and builder/leaders. Thank you Debra Towler, Pam Jeffries, Ida Eibey, Cindy Roeger and Rickie Wagner … we could not have made it without you.  With gratefulness we offer our thanks once again to Brown Road Community Church for opening its wonderful facilities and grounds to accommodate the camp.
 
Another area of gratitude goes to all the vendors, individuals and companies who gave of their personal and business resources…we could not have completed this task without your participation. Thank You for your contributions and support we truly appreciate you all.

The real miracle of the week was that two young men gave their lives over to God! The last tremendous blessing from God was as we got the car back to the Ohio Building after the awards ceremony, a man with his wife and two daughters came hurrying in to look at the car with the prospect of buying. The man came up to me and asked what would it take to buy the car just as it was unfinished, as we talked they said “they came just to buy the car”, and they did just that! Is our God not an on-time God? He knew what CRA needed at that time.  Praise God!!
 
It was a joy, privilege, and honor to have these 6 young men come in to our lives. We give God the Glory for all He did…all of our lives were changed forever. This CRA camp made a difference in their lives for all eternity, as it did for each one of ours. Love is the greatest gift and we thank Jesus Christ for His love for us because He makes a difference in our lives.

To God Be the Glory!!

"Building Cars—Changing Lives",

Psalm 34

Larry & Rickie Wagner
CRA Hot Rod Camps, Int'l, Director