Well, camp is over. The campers have gone back home to their tin roofed shacks and seemingly hopeless situations. Our desire is that they go home with new hope in the promises of God, and a knowledge of the power of faith in Christ. They heard the gospel clearly -- 11 times in chapel, 10 times in devotions, and also in English class, character class and music class, not to mention individual counseling times. We are praising the Lord for Arturo, and have challenged him to get into God's Word. He is going to be a great leader some day! The kids all have Bibles, and a shepherd here at Centro Biblica de Juan Tomas to help them. Please pray for the young people of Juan Tomas!
The message today was on the camp theme - to love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind & soul. David read the context in Matthew about the Pharisees, and how they tried to work their way into heaven. He explained that even those who knew the law to the letter could not keep it completely, and neither can we. The path of salvation was made clear, as was the exhortation to Christians to be sanctified and to live differently from the world.
The team did a skit about a courtroom judge who had condemned several people to die for their crimes. Their situation was hopeless, with no way out. Then someone came along who was willing to take their sentences and die in their place. All accepted the pardon except for one, who was then led off to his execution. It was a good visual of Christ's atonement for our sins.
We have been told by many people how good this year's camp was, and what a difference we saw in the campers. The leaders here have passionately begged us to come back. They say we are different than all the American groups that we see - in dress, in music, and in interaction with the teens. I praise the Lord for years of teaching us how to follow His ways and how to be in the world (to serve), but not of the world. The blessing is OURS, not theirs! We are humbled to be privileged to serve the Lord in this way. Every young person who came on this trip was a stellar example of God's love and Christ's character. Praise be to God!
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