Dear Prayer Coordinators,
Thank you for
praying for us! This
week I was blessed to have Reggie as my camper. He was a very quiet upon arriving
at camp, and did not really look as though he were happy to be here. During
one-on-ones he hardly talked; I could barely get a one worded answer from him. Because
of the lack of conversation I do not really know how he got in the foster
system or about the home he is in now other than that he is enjoying where he
is. Reggie told me he believed in God and read his Bible every day, but he did
not consider himself to be a Christian. It was a little frustrating at times because
I felt as if nothing were happening during one-on-ones and our Bible study
time; however, God reminded me that I can plant seeds and I can water, but it
is God who makes things grow.
As the week went on, I began to see his smile
more and more. He told me that he really enjoyed making friends at camp and he
loved to cook. He did kitchen craft every day, where he was able to help
prepare the dinner meals. During meal times, he would always offer to help and
serve others their food. The last couple of days Reggie really got into the Bible
studies and did not just rush through them just so he could be finished
quickly. Instead, he began to take his time and think about the verses we read
and how they could be applied to his life. He even began to greet other
counselors and campers in the morning. It is amazing how God can work in such
small areas of people’s lives, but those small changes can make a big
difference. At the end of camp we read surveys that we have the campers fill
out. Reggie had filled out that he had re-dedicated his life to the Lord. I would
appreciate if you would please pray with me that Reggie would get plugged into a
church and that God would put people into his life to help him grow in his
relationship with God. Thank you for all the prayers this past week.
Our overall camp
size was of a petite nature; nevertheless, our Heavenly Father was still at
work showing the campers his unconditional love. I was especially blessed to
have been paired with Jose, a quiet yet joyful soul who embodied many of my
own character traits and behavioral styles; yet another one of God’s ways of
showing me His fantastic presence at camp. Whether it was during Bible studies,
one-on-ones, the consumption of a meal, or reclining pool side, Jose emitted a
calm peace in his demeanor despite the trials and toil that have made
themselves known in his life. The unfortunately vicissitude that began his life
in the foster care system started with the negligence of his mother care for
him. Having never known his father, Jose's only alternative was to be
commandeered by the state.
More
importantly however, I was impressed, if not excited, to discover his apparent
yearning to attain more knowledge of God, as well as an expressed desire to
learn about biblical literature, its genres, and interpretation techniques. I
was also privileged to hear his testimony during one of our campfire
times. Upon discussing it the following
day, he confessed a weight had been lifted from him whence concluding his
testament. It was his first time at camp and he continually informed me of his
positive experiences here at camp. Ultimately, he left eager to come back for a
winter camp, as well as the summer camps to come. My prayer, in which I welcome
companions, is that when campers like Jose resume their summer after leaving
camp, God will grant them the strength, courage, and resolve in Him to not be
swayed by the roaring lion that looks for those whom he may devour.
Your prayers make
all the difference. Thank you for continuing to pray with us this summer!
In Christ,
Ariel & Alejandro
Summer Staff 2014
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