September 2013 Update 4
Thursday has been a great day!! We started this morning with breakfast. During our morning staff meeting I learned that the kids are participating very well in small groups. The leaders are very encouraged. And we also learned that 2 girls from one of the teams want to ask the Lord into their hearts. Our staff leader told them that I would give them an opportunity on saturday. This allowed me to do some training with my staff. We never want to delay this decision. If someone is ready and willing to join the family of God, I hope that we are all able to pray with them. But how wonderful to learn that the family of God is growing as a result of this camp!! Praise God!! Hayden and I have also noticed a huge difference in Henry who we have been praying for. He is participating and generally helpful. I think he’s just a bit mischievous and playful and so he gets in trouble a lot. He is so darn cute though. He has asked to take pictures with my camera and he has done a great job!! You will see!! Praise the Lord!!
Church this morning we heard from Cathy about temptation and how we can overcome anything with the power of God because Jesus Himself was tempted, but overcame by the power of the Father. Then the kids headed to small groups to discuss all they are learning between our Bible studies and the CPR.
We spent this morning doing crafts again. These kids LOVE to see their pictures!!! I guess if I didn’t see myself in the mirror everyday, I might enjoy it more. So today, each child will receive a picture of themselves and make a picture frame for it. They are just simple craft stick frames, which american teens would laugh at, but these kids take such pride and cherish these simple things.
Lunchtime!! Today we begin the tournament of champions for futbol. Orange came in first from the round robin so will be yellow who came in fourth. Then red will play green to determine who will play friday for the championship and consolation. Orange and Red were the victors and will face each other tomorrow and Yellow and Green will face each other. Orange has really been the dominant team. We will see if another can compete with them.
CPR today we talked about risky life behaviors and their consequences on the whole person. So many sex ed curriculums just focus on pregnancy and STD/STI’s, but I love that CPR talks about the consequences to your mind, emotions and social being, not to mention the spiritual aspect. We talk about memories and how you can never forget the pain that comes from broken relationships that have been sexual, also the shame that so many live with. It really is so good!! They do cover STD/SDI’s too and those pictures should scare most and keep them away from sex!! Yikes! Even as a nurse they are yucky!!
Dinner!! And tonight we have a special treat!! My good friend Raoul has come to lead us in worship and bring us a Word from the Lord. He is a local youth pastor. It is amazing how the Lord speaks the same thing through many different means. Raoul and I hadn’t spoken at all and he literally gave the same word to the kids I had the night before. The kids love his worship too. It was such a fun night! We ended the evening with a crazy balloon game where everyone has a small balloon tied to their ankle and tries to pop everyone elses while keeping theirs safe. It is always chaos, but the kids love it. Miriam from Green put up a valiant effort, but red was victorious.
Sula bulunge! Good night! I can’t believe tomorrow is our last ful day of camp. it has flown by!!