Camp highlights.....

Thank you for your prayers! Camp 2010, which finished up last week, was a big hit. Four days of non-stop games, activities, food, and little sleep made for an unforgettable time for the teenagers. Youth from the favelas and from our Jarinú church participated together in teams, bunked together in rooms, and made some great friendships. And, no one got hurt! Monday evening was a special costume night complete with a homemade pizza dinner, night-time treasure hunt, and bonfire. Many campers opened up around the fire and gave thanks for the special time they were having. Despite the fact that we are towards the end of rainy season it didn’t rain even once!

Approximately half of the campers were non-believers. The bible studies and devotions were a blessing and many kids got their hearts right before the Lord and committed themselves to strive to be better than they are now. Several accepted the Lord as their savior and now are starting baptism classes.

One boy in particular that stood out is William (approximately 17 years old). We’ve known him since he was around 8 years old as he lives in one of the favelas where we minister. He’s always been a trouble maker, he disrupts class all the time and he has already been used by the local drug traffickers to be their lookout, among other things. The camp coordinators were debating whether or not to allow him to participate. After all, “it would be so much easier without him here, they thought”. The decision was made to allow him to participate and to give him another chance. What a great decision it was!

The first day he was “testing the waters and his limits”. As he acclimated to his surroundings and to people who didn’t constantly put him down he began to relax and enjoy himself. He participated whole heartedly in all events, listened to the bible messages and devotionals, played jokes on his room buddies at night, and learned what a great time “Christians” can have. On about the third day he went up to Pete and thanked him for allowing him to participate- then he started crying! His eyes welled up with tears and he gave Pete a hug. The rest of that day and then the next he was notably sad about having to go back home and he even commented that “there I’ll wind up with the same old friends, involved in the same old stuff”.

William accepted the Lord with one of our volunteers and has asked to be baptized. He didn’t go back home and start hanging around his old buddies but prefers to spend his time with Cleiton, another camper. The two now have big plans. The other day they invited Anderson, our youth leader, to arrive in the favela earlier than usual so that they could take him around and introduce him to all of their friends from the neighborhood and the school. They have a dream to personally raise money to finance next year’s camp! Their goal is to evangelize all their friends! How’s that for a transformation?

William is just one example but there are others whose lives were positively affected through your prayers. We thank you for your prayers and support which allows us to be here for these lost souls.

Snapshots of some of their favorite games......

Sorry! I was unable to upload the videos we wanted to share.

Blessings, Pete and Jodi Brennan