He Gave Me His Razor Blade - Session #8, August 4-9

Letter to Prayer Coordinators for Session #, August 4-9, 10th-12th Grade

Dear Prayer Coordinators,

Thank you for your support as we near the end of summer. This last session was our second to last one and God again demonstrated His power in more ways than we could have ever anticipated. I, Jasmine, had a camper named, Rebecca, who grew up in a Catholic home and now lives in a strict Christian foster home. While she loves both her biological and foster family, she had never been able to love the God they tried to show her. She displayed wisdom in how she talked about God all week but could not grasp His love for her. When I asked when she gave her life to God, she said “I don’t think I have, because I believe when you do that, you do it completely. But I still have trouble with forgiveness. And cussing.” Throughout the week, we talked about how God came to save the lost and how we can only grow in His strength. She fell in love with Jesus Christ and finally understands who He is. On Friday, she gave her life to the Lord alongside her brother. She began to say she knows He will help her learn to forgive those who wronged her growing up. Please pray for Rebecca as she goes down the mountain, trying to maintain her joy in Christ despite frustrations she has with her parents’ views of Him.

I, Emily, had a returning camper named Jennifer as one of my three girls. The first few days, Jennifer constantly complained about little things. However, as camp progressed, she became increasingly positive despite constant leg pain. On Wednesday, she turned 16 and insisted that she missed her Quinceanera last year and this birthday didn't matter. However, when we gave her a birthday crown and sang to her, she glowed and said it felt like a fiesta. She even shared her testimony with everyone at campfire time. She praised and thanked God for what He had done in her life out of the many trials she had faced. She is currently a junior counselor at Royal Family Kids Camp and I was blessed to recommend her to be a junior counselor here next summer too.

I, Gallagher, had a first time camper named Winston as one of my three boys. He came up to camp with dark clothes, combat boots and hair in his face. He sat away from everyone else and told me he was a devout atheist. Monday, since he would not talk about his own life, I shared my testimony with him. After this, he began opening up to me. After that first day, he started asking a lot about God and the Bible. Tuesday, he told me he wanted to give his life to God without me even having to ask. Thursday, he gave me his razor blade out of his wallet so he would not have to cut his wrists (then full of scars) any more. Friday, he shared his testimony in front of the whole camp. It was remarkable to see the drastic transformation that occurred when God took hold of Winston's heart. He truly changed everything he knew about himself and the world. Please pray for Winston to feel God constantly reminding him of the truths he learned and guiding him.

In Christ,

Jasmine, Emily, and Gallagher

Summer Staff 2014

Transformation - Session #7, July 28-Aug 2

Letter to Prayer Coordinators for Session #7, July 28-Aug 2, 10th-12th Grade

Dear Prayer Coordinators,

Hello, my name is Irene and I counseled last week for our first high school camp, Session #7 from July 28 – August 2. It was by far the most amazing camp experience I’ve ever had. It consisted with many tears, smiles, laughter and hugs. I had two beautiful high school girls. They were both extremely quiet. However, immediately they trusted me and poured their hearts to me about their life. Both of my girls had extremely big trust issues, because people in their lives continually broke their trust. 

One of my campers, Kelly was raped by her dad and since then she has never been able to understand love, or could trust anyone. Any person who had ever said they loved her had left her and hurt her tremendously. The same was true for my other camper, Sara. The reason it was my favorite week with these two girls was because of how honest, vulnerable and caring we were with one another, and to just witness God working in their hearts. They felt like little sisters to me. By the end of the week they gave their hearts to the Lord, and you could see the change in them. It’s so beautiful and honoring to witness a young girl realize that our Heavenly Father in loves them, and for them to know it, believe it, and act on it. When Kelly got home on Saturday night, she even called me to tell that she broke up with her boyfriend of 9 months, because she knew he wasn’t good for her, and now only wants to date Christian guys. God is so faithful, and once again He blew me away by how much He can change a young girl’s heart in a matter of a week.

Hey, my name is Tyler and I too counseled last week at camp. I was a little nervous going into the week because it was my first time counseling high school campers. However, I was fortunate to be blessed with two amazing campers. One of the campers that I really connected with was named Kip. On the first day it started off a little rough though. He was very anxious going into our first one-on-one and did not want to talk very much, so we just searched for lizards and snakes. During Bible study he refused to open his Bible and look up verses and he would not answer any of the questions. He could not sit through the campfire talk and was even making comments to the directors asking when the talk was going to be over. On the second day things started to get better. Kip actually started to participate in Bible study and he started to open up to me on our night one-on-one. Things continued to progress with his behavior as the week went on. In the middle of the week I went on a one-on-one and immediately he told me that he wanted to accept Christ into his life. I found out that he had accepted Christ once before but he said that he felt like he wasn't living like a Christian so he wanted to rededicate his life to Christ. We started talking about what it means to be a Christian and why he wanted to dedicate his life to Christ and he said he was tired of the way he was living and tired of the way he was dealing with anger. 

After that one-on-one the transformation was absolutely insane. In our next Bible study he was so driven to learn about the Bible. Kip and I found some common ground as he took an interest in the book of Revelation. From then on he was always asking me or anyone else that he could find if they would read with him. He started bringing his Bible to amphitheater and reading it then and we would also read before we went to bed. It is absolutely crazy the amount of transformation that can take place in one week here at camp. Kip went from being completely uncooperative to craving to learn more about God. He even called me the day after camp to tell me his plans to read the Bible and how he wants to start going to church. Thank you for praying for us and joining us this past week!

In Christ,

Irene & Tyler

Summer Staff 2014

Listen, Understood, Responded - Session #6, July 21-25

Letter to Prayer Coordinators for Session #6, July 21-25, 7th-9th Grade

Dear Prayer Warriors,

Greetings! This is Alejandro and the session last week was once again amazing. We had a full contingency of campers, which made the time soar by. By weeks’ end, whilst praising God for the work He had completed, my only other feelings were that of sadness to see these precious children of God depart from camp. But during camp, God graced me by paring me up with a couple of regular gentlemen. One of whom, a returning camper by the name of Jose, was truly a joy to become more familiar with throughout the week. Unfortunately, he fell ill mid week and periodically rested in the infirmary to combat a reoccurring fever. Notwithstanding his health status, he was a trooper and still held a positive attitude throughout the duration of camp. What’s more, despite his more reticent stigma within a group, during our one-on-one’s he shared his testimony accompanied by a fresh trial in his life. He never knew his father, and his mother abandoned him at a young age. However I praise our Father for allowing another gracious woman to adopt and raise him. Albeit things at home for him are currently stressful, and are weighing on his and his mother’s heart, he demonstrated a godly strength to endure and persevere. My prayer for Jose is that he will continue to bless his family, and use the strength that God has built in him to fortify his relationship with Him, and spread the Good News. Thank you once again for your continual support throughout the year!

This past week I, Brian, was blessed to spend time with Jonathan. Jonathan was fourteen years old, six feet tall, over 170 pounds, and had a deep need for physical attention. He had no idea of physical boundaries, and several times a day he would try to put me into a headlock, pick me up, or squeeze my back. I had the opportunity to not only share with him about self-control and safe ways to show affection, but of Christ’s abundant love to us. We sang many songs together in amphitheater with his arm over my shoulder, doing hand motions and singing together. During one of the worship songs he even tried to hold one of my hands up so I could worship God like he saw some of the other counselors doing. In many ways Jonathan was still a child, yet he frequently inspired me with his simple, yet sound knowledge of God.

We took a walk for our one-on-one the last night, and I was unable to have a productive conversation with him because he was so distracted by the forest around him. However, I finally gave up trying to reach him on that level and started singing “Jesus Loves Me” to him. As soon as I started singing he sang along, and as we sang together, I was overcome by God’s love towards him and me. Afterwards, as I simply told of God’s love for him, he listened, he understood, and he responded: sharing with me of the years he spent as a child with his abusive mother, and contrasting that with God’s love for him. What joy it brought me to see God personally meeting with Jonathan and providing for him!

In Christ,

Alejandro & Brian

Summer Staff 2014

God is Able to Reach - Session #5, July 14-18

Letter to Prayer Coordinators for Session #5, July 14-18, 7th-9th Grade

Dear Prayer Warriors,

This past week, July 14-18 for Session #5, was a busy one at Camp Alandale. We only had three male counselors, so I (Michael) had three campers instead of the typical two. In addition to that, two extra campers were sleeping in my tent at night since they had female counselors. With five middle school boys in my tent, it goes without saying that I had my hands full! Many of the guys had been through a lot and their behavior reflected that, so I initially didn't think that Roberto needed as much attention. His mother had left him at an early age, but he now lives happily with his father, a recovering addict who attends church three times a week. Roberto admitted to being a little burnt out on church, but I assumed he had at least heard the core of the Gospel and spent most of our one-on-one time talking about his life and how he could get closer to God rather than why he should try to get closer. It wasn't until later in the week that I realized I had thought wrong. During a Bible study, one of my boys asked if anyone ever lived forever. I replied that everyone who believed in Christ had eternal life, and Roberto's face instantly lit up, “For reals?” I said yes, and that all he had to do was accept Jesus into his heart, an offer he instantly accepted. Thankfully God was able to see what I could not and was able to reach Miguel before he had to leave for the week.

My name is Irene, and I was counseling this last week. I found out I had one girl, and one boy camper. I am always anxious when having a boy camper, hopeful that they will open up to a girl counselor. My boy campers name was Rodrigo. He was the funny guy of the week—always cracking jokes, extremely friendly and very joyful. On Tuesday night I ended up getting really sick and threw up. I was super bummed because that meant I couldn't have my one-on-one time with Rodrigo that night. However, the next day at breakfast when he saw me, he was extremely excited. He told me that he was praying for me and that he wanted to share his testimony with me. You can bet that I was beyond excited! That day he shared through tears how his mom left him when he was three, and he's been in foster care since. He was extremely vulnerable. He struggled with understanding his purpose in this world. It was incredible to see how God transformed his heart through just one week at camp. He ended up really understanding how God made him for a purpose. He became very interactive during Bible study and wanted to answer every question. And, best of all he rededicated his life to Christ! It's always incredible to see the amazing things that God can do in as little as one week.

Continue to pray for these precious campers, and for them to fully understand the love that God has for them. Thank you for all your support and prayers. It is extremely appreciated! God Bless you all.

In the name of Jesus,

Michael & Irene

Summer Staff 2014

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

God Makes Things Grow - Session #3, June 30-July 4

Letter to Prayer Coordinators for Session #3, June 30-July 4, 7th-9th Grade

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

I Love You & Jesus Loves You - Session #2, June 23-27

Letter to Prayer Coordinators for Session #2, June 23-27, 4th-6th Grade

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