Knowing I am Loved - Session #4, July 7-11

Letter to Prayer Coordinators for Session #4, July 7-11, 7th-9th Grade

Dear Prayer Warriors,

Last week 22 middle school kids came up to camp. It was an especially heavy week, filled with testimonies of depression, self-harm, substance abuse and more. Though trying, these challenges enabled us to see God’s grace and power as well as our deep need for them in exciting ways.

God loves you: this is the truth that Rebecca’s heart just could not believe. Because of horrible abuses suffered as a child, she became severely depressed, suicidal, & cynical of God and His love for her. During our 1-on-1, she coldly told me (Jessica) she believed God’s true love doesn’t exist. My heart broke for her; all I could do was pray and pour God’s words of love over her. It was amazing how quickly He works in just one week. The Rebecca I met Monday was not the same girl I said goodbye to Friday. She smiled more, let herself have fun and, most importantly, opened her heart to God and the truth of His love for her. At the end of camp, when asked what the most special thing about camp, Rebecca responded “Knowing I am loved.”

Another camper, Violet, loved learning about God from the beginning but just would not surrender her life to Him. I (Jasmine) was tempted to force my agenda of making her a Christian since she seemed to believe in Him in some distant sense. However, God grew my patience in those first few days and taught me to trust His timing. This allowed me to get to know her more and see what God actually wanted to do in her life. She had sold and abused ecstasy, meth, etc. since age 10. When she thought about drugs, she shook from withdrawal. After she was able to share about that struggle and give it to God, she truly embraced Him in her life. In the card Violet wrote me at the end of camp, she explained how she feels much stronger now that she has given her life to Him.

Another camper, Sherrie, came up very excited to make friends. At first I (Ellie) had a hard time addressing any deep issue with her. After testimony time one night, she opened up and told me her own story. She had been recently placed in the foster care system. I told her about God; she had been taught that God was Mexican and she asked if He dated the Virgin Mary. I was able to direct her to the truths the Bible provides us with. On the last day she decided to accept Christ and was so joyful when I told her that the angels in heaven were rejoicing over her. She actually moved in with Violet’s foster parents right after camp, so praise God for making that connection with two new sisters in Christ.

We cannot thank Him enough for you prayer warriors coming alongside us in this spiritual battle. As you can see, despite strong forces against us, God prevails and transforms these kids’ lives. Please continue praying and praising God for His work in these three wonderful girls (and the rest of the campers) as they go about their lives down the mountain.

In Christ,

Jessica, Jasmine, and Ellie
Summer Staff 2014