Senior Breakaway Herald

December ’99 Volume 1.4

1 - G'day…
- from Grumbleface and Slop

Ladies and gentlemen, girls and grubs, welcome to our fourth ever Puppet Breakaway Herald Magazine.

It's almost time for camp again. Senior Breakaway 2000. Are you coming? We really hope so - Don't we Slop? The leaders and we puppets have been doing a lot of preparations for next January. Bruce the DeeJay will be back, Camp Mum and Dad will be back, the mud pit will be back and so will most of your favourite leaders. There are some new activities this year - there is a rope course that will leave you dangling in the treetops.

In this issue of the Senior Breakaway Herald, we have an interview with Sarah who has been coming to camp for around eight years. Can you believe it? We reckon she is the longest serving camper ever.

Christmas is right around the corner and so is the New Millenium. What will you be doing on the night of the 31^st December? Are you ready? Slop and I want to watch the fireworks but Andrew says that we might be spending the night in our suitcase because he has to save the world from the Y2K bug.

The web page has been SO popular. Lots of people have left messages in the guestbook. Oh - that's right, there is a new easier web address that you can use. It is: - http://www.breakawaycamp.org.au Hope you like it.

Slop and I got a letter from not happy. It says, "Hey, I just found out I can't come to camp next year 'coz we are going up to Europe or something over the holidays. Anyway, my mum bought the tickets yesterday and I just noticed that I couldn't go then, so that sucks.

We will miss you not happy. We know we would prefer to be at Breakaway camp rather than a European holiday. But, you know - That's life! We will see you at Breakaway 2001.

Last July some of us met together for our Breakaway Reunion at the Homebush Aquatic Centre. Everyone had a good time. One person says,

"Hi ya everyone! The Reunion was great! Can't wait to see you all at camp next year!"

And we can't wait either. Don't forget to bring your friends along too: -

Junior Breakaway Camp, 2000 -

9 January to 14 January, 2000

Senior Breakaway Camp, 2000 -

16 January to 21 January, 2000

See ya’s later and God Bless,

Grumble and Slop.

2 - Grumble Met With Sarah and Asked Her These Questions…

Grumble: Sarah, you've been coming to camp for EIGHT YEARS?

Sarah: Yep, since I was seven years old

Slop: OK - so that makes you - seven - eight - nine - ten - umm - LOTS. I've run out of fingers.

Grumble: Do you remember anything about that first camp?

Sarah: Not much - my sisters had already been going and they kept on raving about it. So I wanted to go too. I really annoyed them at that camp. And I really annoyed my room leader, Kristen. I wouldn't leave her alone.

Grumble: Why do you keep coming back to camp?

Sarah: It's fun! I can't wait till camp next January.

Grumble: What's your favourite TV show?

Sarah: Dharma and Greg.

Grumble: Your favourite music group?

Sarah: Don't have one.

Grumble: Your favourite movie?

Sarah: Armageddon

Slop: Why?

Sarah: Because I like Ben Affleck and he is a hero in the movie. I liked the movie so much, I bought the video. Hey - I lent it to my cousin Brent and he hasn't given it back. I GOTTA call him…

Grumble: Wait, are you going to call him NOW?

Sarah: Oh. No. I can call him later.

Grumble: OK. Sarah, You are in Year 9 at school aren't you?

Sarah: Yes.

Grumble: But you have a part time job as well?

Sarah: Yes, I work as a hostess at the Lone Star Restaurant at Miranda.

Slop: Is that the place where they throw their food on the floor?

Sarah: Just the peanut shells.

Slop: Cool!

Sarah: Sometimes I have to do a line dance with the other hostesses for the customers. You wouldn't think so, but it is really fun.

Grumble: Sarah, Are you a Christian?

Sarah: Yes.

Grumble: Do you remember when you became a Christian?

Sarah: Umm no. It was ages ago. I have always been a Christian.

Grumble: Which church do you go to?

Sarah: I sometimes go to Cronulla Baptist Church.

Grumble: What do you like best about church?

Sarah's Mum: She likes her Mum being there.

Sarah: Nooo. Go away Mum. It's best when Mum's NOT THERE. I used to hate church. But now I am getting older, I understand it a bit better now.

Slop: What are you most looking forward to at the next Breakaway Camp?

Sarah: Meeting all my good friends at camp again.

Grumble: Thanks Sarah. Is there anything else you would like to say?

Sarah: Umm not really. I have to call my cousin, Brent…

3 The SoapBox –

This is where you have your say about whatever you like or ask whatever you like… send your stuff to Andrew.

"Hi all, Bailey Ann McWhirter was born at St George Hospital at 4.25pm on Tuesday 28th September. 8 lb 13 or 4kg 52cm long Mother and baby are doing fine. Sister and brother are very excited and already fighting over cuddles. (Father is OK too!)."

Grae

"ICQ, GURAQTINVU, IOU, URANV, URAQT, IMANV, IMAQT, GOD BLESS."

I don't know WHAT this means (ed). Maybe you can tell me.

anon

"61 days and 10 hours to go till camp."

anon

"Dear Everyone Well the reunion was great and we all had heaps of fun. Even though I didn't finish that big blow up thing, I still had heaps of fun!!!"

Kylie

"Now, let me see, first, Excellent web site. Second, I hope everyone comes to the camps next year, and third, hello everyone. I miss you all already."

Wayne

4 A Christmas God - Yeah...

"This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph, her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly." - Matthew 1:18,19.

If God really sent his son into our world to live with us - I wouldn't expect him to come this way. Would you? But Matthew tells it as it is. Jesus Mum and Dad almost got divorced!

Sometimes we think that Jesus doesn't really understand us and our problems. Sometimes we think that he lives "up there" while we live "down here in the real world." Sometimes we think that he really isn't "there" at all. There are times when I think that nobody understands the stuff I have to deal with.

But Jesus went through a lot of hassles when he came into our world. He was a "Daddy's boy" - a goody goody. He did everything his Father told him to. He was a brainy kid and argued with his teachers because he thought he was right. Not long after he was born - all his friends in Bethlehem were killed by the King - but he got away. When he grew up, Jesus was always in trouble with the temple police. He argued against their laws. He stirred up dissention. Many people loved him - but many people hated him too. And in the end they planned to kill him. Jesus didn't have a home of his own and he had to keep moving all the time. One of his best friends betrayed Jesus to his enemies. They put him on trial but he had done nothing wrong. There was no justice. They found him guilty anyhow. And they killed him.

So this is the guy we celebrate every Christmas? Yeah...

Jesus came into an imperfect world. Bad things happen in our world. Bad things happen to us too. But Jesus does understand. He has been there too.

This Christmas remember that we are celebrating Jesus, who didn't stay "up there" but came to be "down here" with us and with all our problems.

I suppose (being the Son of God) he didn't have to do that. It was a gutsy thing to do. I wonder why he did that? Do you think he really loves us THAT MUCH?

Do you dare to believe?