Dear Prayer Warriors,
This last week, we had our second elementary
camp; 20 of the 24 campers had never been here before. We were excited and
honored to give them their first camp experience and saw God move in huge ways
throughout the week.
One of my campers, Gracie, was nine years old and had never been to camp or to church. When one of our counselors shared about his father abusing his mother in his testimony at campfire, Gracie said, “He’s like me.” After a while of talking and tears over her father leaving her, I asked her if she knew that God is a true father who never leaves us or forsakes us. She had never heard this before. When I asked how she felt about Jesus after a day of camp, she said he is the best. She gave her life to Him that night. I was indescribably blessed to witness His hand in her life. In just one week, He was evident in her coping with her father leaving, her increasing bravery despite a physical handicap, her love towards others, her questions about the Bible, as well as in many remarks she made praising God and His creation. She repeatedly brought me to tears and taught me more about childlike faith than I could have ever taught her. Please keep Gracie and her family in your prayers as she lives in a home that, while loving, does not know Jesus. She did mention that her best friend attends church, so praise God and pray that He uses that connection greatly.
Another camper, James, also brought the idea of childlike faith to life. He currently lives in a group home. While our hearts broke for the cognitive and emotional challenges he faced throughout the week, we rejoiced all the more at what God was doing for him. Many times, he broke down, saying he wanted to die. Whenever he ran off, his counselor (Gallagher) pursued him. James constantly muttered “I’m in trouble? You hate me,” and Gallagher always reaffirmed, “I love you and Jesus loves you. We all love you.” While James’ attention never lasted long, we could see how much he soaked in this love. On his camp questionnaire, when asked what the most special part of camp was, James said “Gallagher.” On the last night, we give each camper a pine cone to throw in the camp fire, representing something they need to surrender to God. After Pine Cone Ceremony, James went up to one of his friends and told him that he loves God and that he took his all his pain away that night. All week, we tried so hard to shower God’s love onto James and, at this comment, we were reminded not to be discouraged by his lack of attention. The Gospel really is so simple and we needed James to remind us of how the least of these can embrace it so purely. Pray that we never forget to earnestly love the campers, knowing that no matter how difficult the circumstances, God’s love brings freedom.
Whenever we think of you, we praise God for your devotion to us and to Him. It has been such an encouragement to me personally and to the ministry as a whole.
In
Christ,
Jasmine Staff-Counselor
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