This week I will be helping at camp attitude. Camp attitude offers a free week of camp for disabled kids. This week will definitely be different from my past weeks.
Please pray for me that I will have the physical strength to make it.
Please pray most of all that I will learn what God has to teach me this week.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Day 46
Thanks for praying for me. Let me try to recount what has happened in the past two weeks.
The first week was Camp Risen Son Jr. High week. The speaker was Tim Engstrom and he did a very god job letting God speak through him. The theme was 'A heart for God' and we studied the life of David.
I was in a cabin with six Jr High boys and one assistant cabin leader (Peter King). I was really praying that God would work in the hearts of my campers. We had a great time together playing games and going polar bear swimming in the mornings.
At the beginning of the week I wasn't sure how they were doing spiritually. As time went on I was encouraged by two of the guys in my cabin.
One of them was a newer christian and the week was a big help to him. He was so excited about the Lord and he eagerly wanted to keep in touch so we could pray for each other.
Another of my campers was praying at the fireside on the last night. He shared with me how he wanted to live differently for the Lord. It was so helpful to me to see God answering prayer and working on hearts even in Jr. highers.
The next week was high school week. Darrin Ratcliff talked about a heart for God as seen in the life of David.
The messages were really encouraging to me personally and I know God use them in the camper's lives as well.
One of the guys in my cabin shared at campfire about how he had rededicated his life two years ago and he encouraged others to do the same.
Another wrote a song capturing what he had learned during the week.
There is not enough space here for me to write all the ways God was working during high school week, but overall I was lifted up by the spiritual growth I saw there. It was a great week.
This is probably one of my last camps for the summer. I have been challenged and I'm looking forward to the ways God will continue to use me throughout the school year.
Please pray that God will guide and direct me whatever I do.
The first week was Camp Risen Son Jr. High week. The speaker was Tim Engstrom and he did a very god job letting God speak through him. The theme was 'A heart for God' and we studied the life of David.
I was in a cabin with six Jr High boys and one assistant cabin leader (Peter King). I was really praying that God would work in the hearts of my campers. We had a great time together playing games and going polar bear swimming in the mornings.
At the beginning of the week I wasn't sure how they were doing spiritually. As time went on I was encouraged by two of the guys in my cabin.
One of them was a newer christian and the week was a big help to him. He was so excited about the Lord and he eagerly wanted to keep in touch so we could pray for each other.
Another of my campers was praying at the fireside on the last night. He shared with me how he wanted to live differently for the Lord. It was so helpful to me to see God answering prayer and working on hearts even in Jr. highers.
The next week was high school week. Darrin Ratcliff talked about a heart for God as seen in the life of David.
The messages were really encouraging to me personally and I know God use them in the camper's lives as well.
One of the guys in my cabin shared at campfire about how he had rededicated his life two years ago and he encouraged others to do the same.
Another wrote a song capturing what he had learned during the week.
There is not enough space here for me to write all the ways God was working during high school week, but overall I was lifted up by the spiritual growth I saw there. It was a great week.
This is probably one of my last camps for the summer. I have been challenged and I'm looking forward to the ways God will continue to use me throughout the school year.
Please pray that God will guide and direct me whatever I do.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Day 32
Yay, I'm home. Let me tell you about my week.
I had nine campers and one assistant cabin leader. At first I wasn't sure if we were going to get time with each camper, but the week went very well.
Last week I asked you to pray that God would save one of the kids in my cabin. Praise God, He did!
I am so stoked! During our devotions one night we all went around and shared our testimonies. I was assuming that everyone was saved until it got to Randy. He shared how he had recently started attending a youth group, but that was all. That night I started praying that God would provide and opportunity for him to put his faith in Christ.
Randy had a hard time listening in chapel so he started reading his Bible. He was a fast reader and in only a few chapel sessions he had read through the book of Matthew. One night the speaker gave an invitation and encouraged the campers to talk with their cabin leaders about receiving Christ. Randy talked with my assistant cabin leader and he shared with me the next day that he had prayed to receive Christ.
As the week went on we were able to continue to encourage him and he was halfway through Mark when he left. Praise God for His saving work.
Although they were already saved, the other guys in my cabin were challenged to renew their walk with the Lord. You can pray for them that they would follow through.
This next week I will be going up to Jr High week at Camp Risen Son. Please pray that God would challenge the kids in my cabin. Jr. High is such a formative time.
Please pray that the campers would not be distracted from what the Lord is trying to tell them.
Please pray that I will learn what God has to teach me.
Thank you all so much for praying for me.
I had nine campers and one assistant cabin leader. At first I wasn't sure if we were going to get time with each camper, but the week went very well.
Last week I asked you to pray that God would save one of the kids in my cabin. Praise God, He did!
I am so stoked! During our devotions one night we all went around and shared our testimonies. I was assuming that everyone was saved until it got to Randy. He shared how he had recently started attending a youth group, but that was all. That night I started praying that God would provide and opportunity for him to put his faith in Christ.
Randy had a hard time listening in chapel so he started reading his Bible. He was a fast reader and in only a few chapel sessions he had read through the book of Matthew. One night the speaker gave an invitation and encouraged the campers to talk with their cabin leaders about receiving Christ. Randy talked with my assistant cabin leader and he shared with me the next day that he had prayed to receive Christ.
As the week went on we were able to continue to encourage him and he was halfway through Mark when he left. Praise God for His saving work.
Although they were already saved, the other guys in my cabin were challenged to renew their walk with the Lord. You can pray for them that they would follow through.
This next week I will be going up to Jr High week at Camp Risen Son. Please pray that God would challenge the kids in my cabin. Jr. High is such a formative time.
Please pray that the campers would not be distracted from what the Lord is trying to tell them.
Please pray that I will learn what God has to teach me.
Thank you all so much for praying for me.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Day 25
I'm spending the weekend here at the camp with about eight other people. Last week went amazing. Thanks you so much for praying.
God was really working the the hearts of the kids in my cabin. He was challenging me as well. Please pray for these campers as they go home that they will have the strength to live a new life. Some of the guys in my cabin came from some pretty hard stuff and going back will be difficult.
Please pray for this next week as i work at Fir Point's Jr high camp. There will be about three times as many kids so it could be a stressful week.
Pray that we as staff will not just be crowd control, but that we would be able to communicate on a meaningful level with the campers.
Pray that God will work in their hearts like He did last week.
Praise God that one camper accepted Christ last week. It was such an encouragement for me to hear. The counselor shared with me how the camper had been asking a lot of questions. He shared the gospel with him and then decided that the Lord wanted him to wait, so he didn't pressure the kid into making a decision. Later that night the kid pulled the counselor and his dad (who is also a counselor) aside and said he wanted to pray.
Again, they didn't force him, or even lead him in a prayer. Instead they waited an awkward thirty seconds before the kid poured his heart out to the Lord. It was such an encouragement to me to hear that.
Pray that I will get a chance to see someone come to the Lord in my cabin this week.
Thanks so much for praying.
God was really working the the hearts of the kids in my cabin. He was challenging me as well. Please pray for these campers as they go home that they will have the strength to live a new life. Some of the guys in my cabin came from some pretty hard stuff and going back will be difficult.
Please pray for this next week as i work at Fir Point's Jr high camp. There will be about three times as many kids so it could be a stressful week.
Pray that we as staff will not just be crowd control, but that we would be able to communicate on a meaningful level with the campers.
Pray that God will work in their hearts like He did last week.
Praise God that one camper accepted Christ last week. It was such an encouragement for me to hear. The counselor shared with me how the camper had been asking a lot of questions. He shared the gospel with him and then decided that the Lord wanted him to wait, so he didn't pressure the kid into making a decision. Later that night the kid pulled the counselor and his dad (who is also a counselor) aside and said he wanted to pray.
Again, they didn't force him, or even lead him in a prayer. Instead they waited an awkward thirty seconds before the kid poured his heart out to the Lord. It was such an encouragement to me to hear that.
Pray that I will get a chance to see someone come to the Lord in my cabin this week.
Thanks so much for praying.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Day 22
My third day at Fir Point. My official duties are lifeguard and assistant cabin leader. I wasn't sure at first if I was going to make it into a cabin, but I'm really glad God has put me here. He has blessed me this week with an awesome cabin leader. He's about my age and on fire for the Lord. I've also really been encouraged by the messages and challenged to draw closer to the Lord even here at camp. Please pray that God would give me the servant heart of Christ. We are focusing on 1 Cor 13 today.
Please also pray that God would continue to work in the hearts of the guys in our cabin. There have been some pretty good conversations so far. Pray that they would continue to open up and be challenged.
Pray for much sleep and good health.
Thank you all for praying for me.
Please also pray that God would continue to work in the hearts of the guys in our cabin. There have been some pretty good conversations so far. Pray that they would continue to open up and be challenged.
Pray for much sleep and good health.
Thank you all for praying for me.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Day 19
Here's the update. I had a great time working with my two amazing brothers at the Independence riverfront fair. We painted faces and shared the gospel using the wordless book. It got a little crazy at times, but I was thankful we went. One little girl prayed to receive Christ and another teenager seemed very close.
Tomorrow I will leave for Fir Point Bible camp. I will be there for two weeks. I don't know yet how much I'll be able to update, but please pray.
My first week is Jr. High week. Please pray for the campers in my cabin.
Pray that God will be able to speak to them through me and that I won't just be offering my own advice.
Pray that God would work in my heart as well to draw me closer to Him.
I will be a lifeguard, so pray that I remember my training. Better yet, pray that I don't have to use it.
Thank you all so much for praying for me. It has made a difference.
Tomorrow I will leave for Fir Point Bible camp. I will be there for two weeks. I don't know yet how much I'll be able to update, but please pray.
My first week is Jr. High week. Please pray for the campers in my cabin.
Pray that God will be able to speak to them through me and that I won't just be offering my own advice.
Pray that God would work in my heart as well to draw me closer to Him.
I will be a lifeguard, so pray that I remember my training. Better yet, pray that I don't have to use it.
Thank you all so much for praying for me. It has made a difference.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Day 17
Praise God for yesterday.
At the first club we had a great time with the kids. We were a little worried at first because we had planned a water day but it was looking overcast. The sun came out just in time and we all got soaked. It was sad to leave them.
At the second club I was amazed. We had been praying that God would calm the kids down and help them to listen. As we started the club there was an extreme difference in the way they acted. Each of them sat quietly and listened throughout the entire club. I was standing in the back praising God at the night and day difference we had been praying for. But remember that our main goal is not that kids will be well behaved, but that they will understand the gospel. Pray that God will continue to use what we shared.
By the end of the day it was windy and starting to rain, so no kids showed up at the park. But we did have a good time playing basketball with a man and his son. It was very refreshing to me because much of my interaction with strangers is limited to evangelism. Sometimes Christians can shut themselves off from being social because they will only talk with strangers about the gospel, and never about the weather. Please pray that I will continue to be open with strangers throughout the summer.
At the first club we had a great time with the kids. We were a little worried at first because we had planned a water day but it was looking overcast. The sun came out just in time and we all got soaked. It was sad to leave them.
At the second club I was amazed. We had been praying that God would calm the kids down and help them to listen. As we started the club there was an extreme difference in the way they acted. Each of them sat quietly and listened throughout the entire club. I was standing in the back praising God at the night and day difference we had been praying for. But remember that our main goal is not that kids will be well behaved, but that they will understand the gospel. Pray that God will continue to use what we shared.
By the end of the day it was windy and starting to rain, so no kids showed up at the park. But we did have a good time playing basketball with a man and his son. It was very refreshing to me because much of my interaction with strangers is limited to evangelism. Sometimes Christians can shut themselves off from being social because they will only talk with strangers about the gospel, and never about the weather. Please pray that I will continue to be open with strangers throughout the summer.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Day 16
Yesterday went well. We were well rested and ready for the day. The kids were still pretty wild at our second club, and we had three more of them. About halfway through the club one of them asked me "son Christianos?" "are you guys Christians?". When I said yes they all looked really shocked. They wanted to know if we believed in Mary, etc. Many of the Hispanic kids we work with come from a Catholic background. It's definitely a good thing we were there. Hopefully the Lord can use the few times that they were listening.
At our final club of the day there were three kids. We haven't had the same kids yet at that club. The Lord just keeps bringing new kids, and Jennifer Turner is faithful to invite them. Please pray that someone will show up today.
At our final club of the day there were three kids. We haven't had the same kids yet at that club. The Lord just keeps bringing new kids, and Jennifer Turner is faithful to invite them. Please pray that someone will show up today.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Day 15
Praise God. There were more kids at every club.
At our first club many of the kids come from a catholic background. When we give the invitation they see it as a time for confession. Please pray that they will be able to understand the finished work of Christ.
Please pray for our 1:00-2:30 club because many of the kids don't understand very well. They don't pay attention and then they become a distraction to others. Please pray that they will listen.
At our last club of the day we only had one girl attend. By the end of the club four more kids and three teenagers had come. Thank you for praying. I'm not sure if they will come back today.
Both David and I got a lot of rest yesterday. Thank you for praying.
At our first club many of the kids come from a catholic background. When we give the invitation they see it as a time for confession. Please pray that they will be able to understand the finished work of Christ.
Please pray for our 1:00-2:30 club because many of the kids don't understand very well. They don't pay attention and then they become a distraction to others. Please pray that they will listen.
At our last club of the day we only had one girl attend. By the end of the club four more kids and three teenagers had come. Thank you for praying. I'm not sure if they will come back today.
Both David and I got a lot of rest yesterday. Thank you for praying.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Day 14
Clubs went good yesterday. Not very many kids though. Please pray that more kids will come and that David and I will get the sleep we need. Also remember to pray for Bridgeport VBS which is taking place this week.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
How you can pray for this week.
This week I will be working with Emily Westendorf and my brother David. Starting tomorrow we will be working at three different clubs. These clubs are in Independence so many of the kids are hispanic. Please pray that the younger children will understand us. Sometimes the language barrier can be an issue.
You can also pray that many children will attend. Invitations have been handed out, but we really need people to pray that the children will come.
Please pray against distractions in the club. Rowdy kids, ice cream trucks, and dogs on swings have been distractions in the past. Pray that we will be excited as we teach and that we will be able to keep the children's attention.
Recap:
1- Language barrier
2- Lots of kids
3- Less distractions
Thanks in advance for your support.
This week I will be working with Emily Westendorf and my brother David. Starting tomorrow we will be working at three different clubs. These clubs are in Independence so many of the kids are hispanic. Please pray that the younger children will understand us. Sometimes the language barrier can be an issue.
You can also pray that many children will attend. Invitations have been handed out, but we really need people to pray that the children will come.
Please pray against distractions in the club. Rowdy kids, ice cream trucks, and dogs on swings have been distractions in the past. Pray that we will be excited as we teach and that we will be able to keep the children's attention.
Recap:
1- Language barrier
2- Lots of kids
3- Less distractions
Thanks in advance for your support.
2 Corinthians 4:2 says "We do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God."(NIV) I've been thinking about how this verse applies to evangelism. It is freeing to know that we don't have to try to sell the gospel. All we do is present it and let God do the work.
Day 12
Hey all. Here's an update of my past week.
Day 1 Saturday.
I was greatly encouraged on this day because the Lord shifted my focus from others to Himself. I had been thinking about how I could help the teens learn and grow, but I wasn't listening for what God wanted to say to me. I prayed that God would stretch me.
Day 2 Sunday
Sunday at CYIA is the day of preparation. As a team trainer, I was anticipating the moment when Rod Franz would announce who would be on my team. We all gathered in the auditorium as he read of the list of names. I had been praying that God would give me a good team, and as I heard the list of names I knew that He had answered. We studied together and prepared to teach the five day club the next day.
On Sunday we drove to our club location to meet the hostess. She hadn't passed out invitations yet so we went around the neighborhood inviting kids. We passed out the little pink pieces of paper until we ran out. As we walked it began to sprinkle, and then to pour.
Rain is not a good thing when it comes to five day clubs. Rain keeps kids indoors and away from the gospel. That day, everyone at the camp was praying for good weather.
Day 3 Monday
Before we went to club we prayed together as a team that God would give us good weather and five salvation decisions. When we arrived the sun was so hot that we actually had to move under the porch. Praise God! There was only one kid. Praise God. The week was not going to go as I expected.
Day 4 Tuesday
Christian Youth in Action is an amazing week because it is so gospelcentric. Yes, I made up that word.
We wake up and read about the cross, we worship together twice a day, and in the mornings we are challenged by David York. Each year his sermons blow me away by pointing me to the gospel and work of Christ. York's bible challenge hour is the fuel we need for the rest of the day.
The fact that only one kid was attending our club made it difficult for me to continue to pray that God would save five kids. On Tuesday night we gathered in groups and praised God for what He had been doing in our clubs. I was excited to hear of the salvation decisions and the ways God had worked during the street evangelism. There's a lesson to be learned here: it is important to share with others what God is doing in and through us. It might sometimes seem like boasting, but it really shifts the focus to the Lord. As I listened to story after story I was encouraged with the knowledge that God is alive and working in hearts. I prayed that God would bring more kids to our club.
Day 5 Wednesday
On the third day of our club we still only had one kid. He wasn't a bad kid. His name was Joey and he had auburn hair; how bad could he be? Joey had already received Christ so we focused on teaching spiritual growth. Looking back on the week I pray that God will continue to use it in his life.
Day 6 Thursday
Day four of club brought Joey along with his four year old brother. We were very thankful he could make it, but it didn't look like we were going to get the turnout I expected after all. If nothing else, this club served as a training ground for the teens on my team. They would be ready to teach when they returned to their own counties.
Day 7 Friday
The last day of club went by quickly. We had a fun time with Joey and his little brother playing water games in the hot sun. Then we returned to camp to say our goodbyes and leave for home.
God didn't bring the five kids that I had asked for, but I know that He was working out His will. I rested in the fact that my faith in God is not based on whether He decides to answer all my requests in the positive. He knew exactly how my week was going to go and I praise Him for it.
Day 1 Saturday.
I was greatly encouraged on this day because the Lord shifted my focus from others to Himself. I had been thinking about how I could help the teens learn and grow, but I wasn't listening for what God wanted to say to me. I prayed that God would stretch me.
Day 2 Sunday
Sunday at CYIA is the day of preparation. As a team trainer, I was anticipating the moment when Rod Franz would announce who would be on my team. We all gathered in the auditorium as he read of the list of names. I had been praying that God would give me a good team, and as I heard the list of names I knew that He had answered. We studied together and prepared to teach the five day club the next day.
On Sunday we drove to our club location to meet the hostess. She hadn't passed out invitations yet so we went around the neighborhood inviting kids. We passed out the little pink pieces of paper until we ran out. As we walked it began to sprinkle, and then to pour.
Rain is not a good thing when it comes to five day clubs. Rain keeps kids indoors and away from the gospel. That day, everyone at the camp was praying for good weather.
Day 3 Monday
Before we went to club we prayed together as a team that God would give us good weather and five salvation decisions. When we arrived the sun was so hot that we actually had to move under the porch. Praise God! There was only one kid. Praise God. The week was not going to go as I expected.
Day 4 Tuesday
Christian Youth in Action is an amazing week because it is so gospelcentric. Yes, I made up that word.
We wake up and read about the cross, we worship together twice a day, and in the mornings we are challenged by David York. Each year his sermons blow me away by pointing me to the gospel and work of Christ. York's bible challenge hour is the fuel we need for the rest of the day.
The fact that only one kid was attending our club made it difficult for me to continue to pray that God would save five kids. On Tuesday night we gathered in groups and praised God for what He had been doing in our clubs. I was excited to hear of the salvation decisions and the ways God had worked during the street evangelism. There's a lesson to be learned here: it is important to share with others what God is doing in and through us. It might sometimes seem like boasting, but it really shifts the focus to the Lord. As I listened to story after story I was encouraged with the knowledge that God is alive and working in hearts. I prayed that God would bring more kids to our club.
Day 5 Wednesday
On the third day of our club we still only had one kid. He wasn't a bad kid. His name was Joey and he had auburn hair; how bad could he be? Joey had already received Christ so we focused on teaching spiritual growth. Looking back on the week I pray that God will continue to use it in his life.
Day 6 Thursday
Day four of club brought Joey along with his four year old brother. We were very thankful he could make it, but it didn't look like we were going to get the turnout I expected after all. If nothing else, this club served as a training ground for the teens on my team. They would be ready to teach when they returned to their own counties.
Day 7 Friday
The last day of club went by quickly. We had a fun time with Joey and his little brother playing water games in the hot sun. Then we returned to camp to say our goodbyes and leave for home.
God didn't bring the five kids that I had asked for, but I know that He was working out His will. I rested in the fact that my faith in God is not based on whether He decides to answer all my requests in the positive. He knew exactly how my week was going to go and I praise Him for it.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Day 4
Today I leave for Christian Youth in Action. Please pray that God would give me physical strength and the right heart attitude. I will let you know at the end of the week how things went. Thanks for your support.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Day 1
Greetings. Today is Wednesday. This Saturday I am leaving to go staff at a camp called Christian Youth in Action. Christian Youth in Action is a training school for teenagers that teaches them to teach Five Day Clubs and Vacation Bible Schools. At the camp students will learn how to share the gospel through Bible stories, songs, and games.
I have attended this camp as a student for the last four years and last year I worked as staff. Please pray for me as I am assigned a team of students. Pray that God would give me wisdom and that I would be able to lead them well. We will go into a home or Church in the Salem area and teach a Five Day Club. Pleas pray that many children will attend.
Thanks for your support!
I have attended this camp as a student for the last four years and last year I worked as staff. Please pray for me as I am assigned a team of students. Pray that God would give me wisdom and that I would be able to lead them well. We will go into a home or Church in the Salem area and teach a Five Day Club. Pleas pray that many children will attend.
Thanks for your support!
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