GOD IS SO GOOD! I am amazed at how God works at Jesus camp. We relocated to another camp ground last year and we were expecting it to be much hotter because of the way it’s positioned on the lake. There’s less wind at the campground. The day before camp, the staff prayed together. We prayed that God would provide a cool gentle breeze at camp. We probably wouldn’t have that much more about that prayer. However, right before the children arrived, a huge wind blew over the camp. It lasted a number of minutes. We held onto tents, stuff was blowing all over the camp, it was kind of frightening the power of the wind. Through the wind, the temperature dropped 20 degrees. After it was over, and no one was hurt and the temperature dropped, we went back to the prayer that we prayed.
One the staff members, Angie, said the week before camp, every morning as she woke up my first thought was "Psalm 89" so I read it every day and verses 1-18 were really encouraging to me about camp. But the night before camp, as she was falling asleep, she had the thought, "What if it's actually Psalm 80:9 that God is prompting me to read?" So, the first thing she did the next morning was read Psalm 80:9. It says, "You cleared the ground for it, and it took root and filled the land." I cried. God cleared the ground for Jesus Camp to happen this year. There were so many daunting obstacles because due to unforeseen circumstances our location had to be changed fairly last minute to a smaller, less convenient camp. He cleared the literal ground of obstacles, and the figurative ground of these children's hearts so that His immeasurable love could take root this week. The fruit of it will fill the land of their lives and the lives that they are going to touch as they share His love!
We had 13 children receive Jesus for the first time, 7 rededicated their lives to him and many more fell in love with Jesus even more! 19 children were baptized. Every counselor persevered in love and saw the fruit of it before their very eyes. Every staff person was impacted deeply by the glorious ways God revealed Himself and moved. Glory to God! He is faithful and good, and His love endures forever!
At, Jesus Camp we have a slogan “Love God, Love others”. The cooks pour out love by providing food from scratch, the Art’s and Crafts pour out their love by providing great Art, the teachers, Counselors, Jr. Counselors all pour out love upon the children. We want children’s lives changed. Children’s lives are changed but by loving God, and loving the children, we are actually changed in the process.
We thank God for all he has done and we thank all the people that have donated. You are making a difference in the lives of children and advancing the kingdom of God!