Camp Director
Garth was born and raised in Sulphur, Louisiana.  After graduating from Sulphur High School, he went on to earn a degree in computer science from McNeese State University in Lake Charles, and entered the telecommunications industry.  Along the way he met and fell in love with Monique.  They’ve been married for nearly 12 years and have 3 children – Harrison, Jenny and George.
 
Although Garth spent some great time at church camps and on family camping trips, he never dreamed God would one day call him to direct a camp. He admits the most challenging part of directing the camp is being patient and learning to tackle one thing at a time.  Garth led his family to release their will and to follow God and He has certainly blessed them for it.

In what little free time Garth has he enjoys a few hobbies.  He still loves the computer and enjoys writing new programs.  Woodworking has always been something Garth enjoys and he has actually made furniture for their previous home.  Now he has challenged himself with something new.  He is working on learning the guitar.  What is camp without an old fashioned campfire singalong? 

With all that Garth has brought to the camp director’s position – the most important thing to him is his personal relationship with Christ.  Since Garth’s salvation he has sought to please the Lord through service, regular Bible study and true worship.  His favorite verse is Galatians 2:20:

“ I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me…”

Program Director
Monique was born in Lake Charles, Louisiana, because there was no hospital in her little home town of Iowa.  She lived in Iowa her whole life in the same house.  She graduated from Iowa High School and went on to get a degree at McNeese University with BS in Early Childhood Education.  With her degree, Monique chose to serve the community both with her career and in constant volunteering.  She brings to the camp both education and true love for children. 

Unlike Garth, Monique never got to go to camp as a child, so working at Camp Istrouma is a dream come true.  She gets to serve the Lord Jesus while answering her call to ministry.  Her main responsibilities are summer camp and marketing the camp. Monique didn’t accept Christ as her personal Savior until her twenties so it is so important to her that children understand the message of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.  Her biggest challenge since the family moved to the camp was in leaving the older children to finish high school in Sulphur.  Leaving her sisters, her friends and her home church was hard, too.  At Camp Istrouma, God has planted them in a new home church, Broadmoor UMC and begun to bless them with new friends.

 The best thing about camp life is serving the Lord full-time.  Although there is a lot of hard work to do, it is different from the hustle and bustle of a traditional life.  Her favorite part of camp, though, is the worship – seeing all the kids in the summer, and other groups that visit the camp come together from diverse backgrounds to worship our one Lord, Jesus.  It just seems that all the walls come down at camp and true worship really happens.

In her spare time, Monique spends as much time as she can in Bible study.  She knows that she cannot give to others what she has not received. Like most any other mom she enjoys shopping and decorating her house.  Monique and Garth also enjoy spending time with their new friends and visiting family when they can.

Monique’s favorite Bible verse is one she is obviously trying to live out – Joshua 24:15b:
“…as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”