Tuesday, March 3, 2009

We survived Camp!



Well, we got through Camp with minimal injuries (bug bites, sunburn, and soreness from playing too much were the "casualties" of the week). Young teens from the favelas (slums) joined together with those from our surrounding neighborhood to participate in a 4 day sleepover experience. I say "sleep" over but it seems that's what they mostly did NOT get! All-in-good fun pranks were the highlight of the evenings forcing some to sleep with one eye open!
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In addition to those who slept over we had several bus loads of teens from our Jarinu church participate in the activities for two days. Three bible study services were held each day plus games, events, activities, competitions, and free time kept everyone entertained. Volunteers from our church and even a couple from another state came to help prepare the crazy amount of food these hungry teens consume.
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The vast majority of those participating in this years camp were unbelievers. They heard the Gospel clearly, witnessed and participated in Christian Camp fun (with no dancing, smoking, drinking, or making out), and drew one step closer to forming relationships with us and our entire team. It is on these relationships that we build up the trust needed to reach their hardened hearts. Please pray for the Holy Spirit to stir up the "seed" that was planted in them over these past few days.
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On another note please be with us in prayer for: Hayngel (pronounced Angel), a teenage girl from the favela, who called Pete aside "just to talk". Her mother is a prostitute and her two younger sisters have already started in the business. She does not want to follow in her mom's footsteps of prostitution so she's moving from one friend's house to another trying to get away. Also pray for two young girls who occasionally attend our Jarinu church as they are both pregnant. The one is 15 years old and the other, Amanda, is thirteen. Amanda's mother does not know yet.......please pray that the time I (Jodi) spent with her this past Sunday would be used to build confidence in her that she'll know she can come to me to talk. She's so young and scared.
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A great BIG thank you for your encouragement and support that we may be able to help these lost ones!
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In Christ,
Pete and Jodi

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