Wow!!! This past week has absolutely flown by… we were pretty worn out by Friday, but it was such a fun week hanging out with our kids! God has really been stretching us physically and spiritually.
Here are just some recaps of this past week at CampLIFE…
The theme this summer is based on John 3:16 “Jesus Loves ME!” This is a really simple verse that we all know in America, but few truly sit with the meaning of this scripture. Each day was a teaching on different attributes of God, tying them all back to God loving us.
All-Knowing – God knows ALL of us and still loves us!
All-Merciful – God is rich in mercy! (Deut. 4:31 & Eph. 2:4)
All-Forgiving – God forgives ALL our sins when you bring them to Him!
All-Powerful – God is more powerful than your pain, problems, and past!
All-Consuming – God consumes us with His love! (Deut. 4:24)
These kids live in a culture that neglects children, darkness is ever present, abuse is high, and sadness and pain is very evident. These children rarely (if ever) hear “I love you” and receive love and encouragement. This week we got to see children empowered with the Word of God and speaking truth that pushes back the darkness they are living in!!
Sunday Afternoon: We headed to the area we have Camp (it is called the “Go Centre”) and met our translators for the week!
Monday: We meet our kids! The focus of the day was God is “All-Knowing!” Garrett had 15 boys ranging from 11-17 (some of them were thugs!! Haha!!). I had 15 girls ranging from 10-14 (12 of them were girls I had last summer).
Tuesday and Wednesday: We spent the majority of the day meeting one-on-one with our kids and really hearing about their lives. The focus of the day was God’s rich mercy and His power!
Thursday: Community and shoe day! We got to place new shoes on each of our kids and pray over them. After lunch we went with them into their compounds (communities) and watched them walk in boldness sharing the gospel. It was such an encouragement to us to see the ownership they took in the gospel and the pride they had in their Lord!
Friday: In the morning we took the Lord’s Supper with our kids. It was such an amazing experience to feel the Lord’s presence and to see hard hearts break in tears as they felt the love of God! After lunch the kids received a small bag that said “Jesus Loves Me”, an evange-card (how they share the gospel), a Bible, a small bracelet and a bookmark! They were thrilled!!! Especially to have their very own Bible because it is true LIFE to them!
After camp on Friday we went to tour the Tree of Life Children’s Village! It was so great to see some of my kids from last summer living in safety where they are loved, and also to actually witness the kids coming from broken lives into a life of freedom and hope!
Here is a picture of some of Garrett's boys sharing the gospel in the Community...
4 comments:
It sounds like you are having a great time with your kids! It so awesome to see them sharing the love of Christ with others in their community. Please tell Christy to e-mail me and let me know she arrived safely.
Dear Garrett and Stephanie,it brings a tear to my eye,to know God is touching those children's lives through your fingertips and your hearts and love,praise God for you.I love you so much,keep up the woderful loving work,never get weary in well doing,Grams
Once I wrote to you in your graduation poem, good things will happen for you, and now it is coming true. You and Stephanie are a blessing to others and Garrett you and Stephanie are a blessing to me.
By the way---All bets are off---I only made it about two lines before I cried---Hardy-har-har.
I love you guys---Dad
Comment from Mom now...Garrett if you can survive 15 boys ages 11-17, then that gives me renewed strength to tackle my classes next year..but if I run into problems would you please come and visit my class... I could use some help...ha ha
I am so inspired by the love you two have to give. The kids are blessed to have you guys in their lives.
love MOM
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