Dearest
Prayer Coordinators,
Wow another winter camp flew by. We get such a
short time with the campers, and it goes so quick. This winter camp was filled
with lots of activity from some very active boys.
Jesus and Roberto both came from the same group
home. They had lived together for the last 3 years, until suddenly last week
their group home was closed. All the children went to different placements in
different group homes and had to start to make family connections again with a
whole new group of foster brothers and sisters. Though they changed homes just
a couple days before camp Jesus and Roberto made sure they would both get to
camp, their home away from home. Both campers have been coming to camp for a
couple years now and love being here.
As camp began and we began to learn about the
Beatitudes these boys got a chance to put into practice what they were
learning. Both boys are medicated because of behavior issues. Both are very
short tempered and rambunctious, they call it hyperactivity. I think if they
were growing up on a farm 100 years ago they would be called a blessing but
they are not on a farm. Well all this energy came out quite often for these boys.
Early on in the weekend we all had to decide as a group to respect one another
and not to talk over each other; or to sing not talk during song time, you get
the idea. The boys were doing a good job at giving respect.
Well during hiking/snow play time which turned into
hiking/climbing trees and playing basketball time due to the absence of snow a
pine cone war erupted. Actually more of a light battle than a war. The boys 45
feet up the Giant Sequoia were throwing little pine cones at the basketball players
below. We stopped the bombardment promptly however Roberto had been hit in the
head. He was angry at Jesus who he know had thrown the mini pinecone. Roberto sulked behind the sugar shack and waited for an apology that was not likely
coming. We remembered the Beatitudes in that moment, God blesses those who are
merciful, and the peace makers. Though Roberto never received his apology he
chose to forgive the kid who hurt him. He chose to show mercy and be a peace
maker. He stopped and prayed for Jesus and his hard heart. God shows up in
these small ways and blesses my heart at camp. I hope your heart is blessed as
well.
Thank you for your prayers that move God's heart to
move our campers' hearts. You are truly doing battle for the souls of these
young ones. The enemy does not want to give them up, he wants to keep them and
their families in bondage. Thank you again for your prayers!
In His service,
Matt, Tarrah, Aiden, and Piper Pritchett
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