June 2026

Dear Friends & Family,

Hello! Summer seems to come quicker and quicker every year. I thank God for every additional opportunity I get to serve at camp, as I’m never quite sure if I’ll come back for another summer. This will be my 8th summer working at camps! I will say it is a surprise to me, as I made other plans for the summer and they fell through. God works in mysterious ways, and it is beyond my understanding. As long as He guides my steps I will follow.

Many things have been going on in my life this last year and I’d love to give an update. In September my boyfriend at the time, Ian, moved up to Minnesota from Georgia. Right after Thanksgiving last year Ian proposed to me, and I said yes! In December Ian, Solomon (Ian’s sister’s boyfriend), and I made the trip to Maine for Christmas with the Buchan’s/Buchanan’s. We had a wonderful time there and I look forward to the next time I make it back to Maine. In May I went out to Utah with the Buchan’s for Lily and Noah Porter’s Wedding. We had a wonderful time there exploring the mountains, hanging out with Lily, thrifting, trying new coffee, and just having a blast in general. On the way back I ended up driving back with a friend who needed a second driver to make the long drive back to Minnesota. Because of the change in plans I got to go camping and see the Grand Tetons, Yellowstone, and Theodore Roosevelt National Park. On the trip to and from Utah I was reminded of just how splendid God’s creation can be. It’s beyond anything I could have ever imagined. I’m looking forward to many things this year, but most of all I’m looking forward to marrying Ian this August. We’ll see what life has in store for us on this next adventure.

Most, if not all, of you have been included in my previous support letters. I know camp is important to me, but I want to make sure you know why it’s so close and dear to my heart. Kids want to know that they belong, are wanted, valued, and loved. They search for this in many places yet miss the mark. A camp atmosphere cultivates these things in them, and most important of all it gives them the opportunity to know God and have a personal relationship with their Creator. Nothing can be more valuable than that. Camp can have a lifelong impact on them. As long as I can be a part of making that possible, I will.

This summer I’m taking on a role I’ve done before, but in a different way. I’m going to be Head Lifeguard at Camp Oak Hills. Previously when I was a lifeguard at Trout Lake Camps, I mainly served as a Boat Driver and Lifeguard as needed during the summer season. I look forward to this new position and the challenges of leading in a different kind of environment than I’ve grown used to. We have a small team, but God knows our needs and will supply the staff to do it. In this role, I will lead my team, lifeguard with my team, set schedules, maintain skills together with my team, and support the gospel efforts of camp when the opportunity presents itself.

Below, I’ve shared a few goals and prayer requests for this summer.

GOALS

-       My first goal is to lead my team well in safety, discipline, discipleship, and stewarding our waterfront resources well.

-        My second goal for the summer is to spend my Bible time with God in deeper study in a multitude of ways. Whether it is in worship, prayer, memorization, or background/contextualized study.

-        My third goal is to prioritize having time for family and my fiancé in this season of life before marriage, amidst the camp busyness.

         
PRAYER REQUESTS 

-       My future marriage with Ian. That God will guide us, and we will learn to be good spouses together as we set the foundation of our marriage.

-       Camp will fill any remaining staffing needs, so more kids can experience camp this summer.

-       That I would have strength and energy sufficient for each day and the challenges they present this summer.

-        That I wouldn’t be stressed by wedding planning.

To get into my last point, why I support raise. My position will involve a combination of a paid salary and raised support. This enables the camp to remain financially accessible to as many campers as possible. My support goal is to raise $2,000 by August 1^st.

I ask you to partner with me in this and consider making a financial contribution towards this goal. I chose this goal to cover my day-to-day expenses such as gas, groceries, bills, etc., as well as to cover a few extra expenses such as the set of new tires I needed to buy when mine went flat this last month and a few wedding expenses. Take your time to pray about it if you need to. I also ask for your support through prayer for our camp ministry and myself as we start the camp season and regularly throughout the summer.

If you are able to be involved, please return the enclosed response card or give online at campoakhills.org. (All donations are tax deductible.)

I appreciate your time in considering this, your friendship, and your support.

Serving Jesus,

Lex Zylka |alexazylka22@gmail.com|(218)888-2606

Romans 15:13

 ^{“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope”.}

Online Donations 

This link will allow you to donate securely online using a third-party website operated by Vanco Payment Solutions. You are given the option of making a one-time gift or setting a regular giving schedule using your credit card or automatic withdrawal from you bank account.

For help with online donations, please call Raschelle at Oak Hills Christian College – (218/888)-751-8670 ext. 1281