Skip to main content

Camp Kivu

(Note: www.campkivu.com will be up and running after Easter!)

Well, the cat is officially out of the bag (the bag has been open for quite a while, but it is all official now). Dad wrote an email to all of the kamp parents telling them that after this summer Andy and I would no longer be with Kanakuk and that we were going to continue KCO as a different company. Then Andy announced today on his radio show that information with more details. We are "spreading our wings" and leaving the nest.

As I'm sure you all know, we are moving to Durango permanently on May 3rd. This will be the last summer that KCO is a part of Kanakuk Ministries. Andy and I have started our own 501(c)3 not for profit company and we will be running our camp under that umbrella. The camp will be called Camp Kivu. It will be very much like Kanakuk Colorado, but our plans for expansion and international growth will be much different than they could have been with Kanakuk. The camp will be the same location. It will run just about the same. Our mission will be very similar.

Why "Camp Kivu?" Kivu is a lake in Rwanda and we wanted to have something that was very important to us to be given a Rwandan name (just like our clothing company, AnNi Designs, has a Chinese name.) The name Camp Kivu doesn't limit the camp to any particular activity or to any particular destination. It seems out-doorsie and broad.

We are SO excited for our expansion plans. . .they are many, but the big two that we are the most excited about and that will be the first to happen are our Spring camp in the Philippines starting March 2010. We will have two one week sessions at El Nido Resorts (www.elnidoresorts.com). Campers can come alone or they can come with their families. It is going to be AMAZING! The other project is our Gap Year. We will take students after they graduate from high school and they will spend a year with us studying and traveling the world. It is going to be a great program!!!

Anyway, that is a quick run-down of our new camp. It is going to be a wonderful journey. We are sad to be leaving Branson and friends and family and Kanakuk, but it is time and I can't wait to see where the Lord leads us along the way!!!

Comments

Unknown said…
I am really excited for you all. And that photo a the top of the post...it's just perfect! ;)
April 3, 2009 at 6:43 AM
Anonymous said…
I wish I were 17 again so I could go to this camp! What a great concept that gives kids a broader worldview to see what God is doing in our world! I've shared the link with my family's church in Pagosa and the youth ministry team there. Still praying for good news on Lionel.

Andrea
April 3, 2009 at 7:53 AM
Kelly said…
I am so excited for what God has in store for the Braners!!! LOVE YOU!!!
April 3, 2009 at 12:22 PM
Jenny Schlenker said…
Jamie, So exciting, so much going on for you. I love catching up with you on your blog! I am praying for all that is going on, so much adventure! I will link you oh my blog! xoxo
April 3, 2009 at 1:19 PM
life with the wisners said…
ok, just now realizing i don't think i've ever commented. but i've been reading forever. just wanted you guys to know that i am praying for this new adventure you are getting ready to begin. i have NO DOUBT God is going to do mighty things through your sweet family.

love to you.
April 3, 2009 at 10:24 PM
kim said…
This is very exciting! God is going to use you all soooo much for stepping out in the unknown. Looking forward to hearing more!!

BTW - Jenna will be staying home. She's pretty shy and fearful sometimes and with two we can barely speak to having a third clung to our necks probably would not be a good combo :) She is excited to stay with grandparents so works out great!
April 3, 2009 at 11:10 PM
Kristyn said…
I LOVED reading this post! Yay for spreading those wings. That is so exciting. Can we go and come and all of the above? You mentioned several projects that sound so very cool. I keep picturing your new life in CO and I am realizing that we should probably try to plan a yearly journey to visit our dear friends! We love you guys. I am pumped for you guys and will pray for this transition.
April 4, 2009 at 12:27 AM
Kristyn said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
April 4, 2009 at 12:28 AM
Teabo Chica said…
Jami Jo, Praying for the heart of the minister for your Lionel. Praying that the Lord would make a way! I lost your email I am so sorry, I did have some Rwanda questions for you. I would love to connect again please forgive me for losing your email. ;0
teabo5@comcast.net
Natalie
April 4, 2009 at 1:59 PM
melissa said…
Praying and wishing your family the very best God has to offer you!
April 19, 2009 at 10:25 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

They Made It!!!!

This is Kelly blogging for Jamie,and I just got off the phone with her. After traveling for 44 hours, they finally made it. I'm overjoyed by the news that they were able to MEET Ruk for the first time pretty soon after they arrived as well, and everything went GREAT!!! Jamie says he is VERY small... even smaller than Dax, and that he is probably a size 4... WOW! Jamie says that all his teeth are coming in and is not the toothless guy we have seen photos of. She also said that he was very sweet and affectionate with her, and that he called her mommy already. This is a great sign as it shows he is open and ready for a family!!! Jamie was told that all day long he was chatting away that he was going to meet his mommy today! Sniff, sniff!!! Hays and Ruk hit it off real well too and didn't have any of that awkward and shy first time to meet you syndrome. They played for over an hour, and Hays had a BALL with his rambunctious and playful brother, Ruk. Lots of hugging and kissing were...
11 comments
Read more

A Little Bit Of News From The Land Of A Thousand Hills. . .

I heard from Tim, my POA, today. Here is what his email said: We had a brief meeting, superior nun and was busy but favorable to adoption. She is encouraged by your heart especially with a second adoption. We have rescheduled to meet Saturday morning to finalize choice of the child. I shared your preferences and they don't have any issue with it. They told me that I need to proceed carefully especially with regards to other kids staying at the orphanage who may not get the chance of being adopted. Hopefully, I'll be able to get a picture of the boy that you may adopt! So. . .I'm assuming that Saturday means tomorrow. I am a little nervous! I am actually a lot nervous, but am trying to minimize that feeling by reminding myself that God knows the perfect child for our family! I'll be praying today!!!!!
9 comments
Read more

Recovering P31

What?  A recovering P31? Proverbs 31 describes the wife of noble character.  This wife gets up early and works hard all day long and isn't even tired when she finally retires from all of her work at night.  She is a servant to her husband and she makes him proud.  She is a fantastic mom and I'm sure, if there was Pinterest in the day, she would be the Pinterest-y-est of the moms.  She isn't afraid of hard work and she has the pantry stocked in the case of an emergency and she has her family ready for cold winters, famine and hard times.  She helps strangers and loved ones alike and she has her sights set beyond herself.  Her husband praises her and her children are grateful for her and call her blessed. Oh my gosh!  What a great lady!  I want to be like her!  So why am I a recovering P31 and why am I writing about it now when I'm not even a wife? (For starters, I think this kind of noble woman is a goal regardless of any woman's marital ...
2 comments
Read more