A Place of Blessing

Last week, during Easter vacation, we held our 20^th annual youth camp. We hold it during Easter week for two reasons: one being that it is a week that all businesses, schools, and government offices are closed for at least 3 days; the other being that there is no probability of rain. In the summer rainy season it rains every day, and this makes camping difficult, if not impossible.

This year we chose a place up in the mountains away from civilization for our campsite. Each youth had to walk over a mile down a mountainside to get to the spring of water where we held our camp, and the same distance UP to get out. The general consensus among the exhausted young people who arrived was that the place was terrible, full of rocks and dust. By the second day, the opinion had changed due to two facts. The less important of the two was the fact that the over 110 young people had slowly made the place livable. The kitchen was made and bathrooms were installed. The land was cleared with large machetes and then leveled so that the tents could be erected.

What really changed everything, though, was the moving of the Holy Spirit. By the second night the power of God was so strong that almost no one could stand in His presence. Even the people who knew nothing about the moving of the Holy Spirit were moved. The signs of change were immediate. The men removed their jewelry and earrings, and the women began to dress much more modestly. We had a wonderful 5 days in the presence of the Lord. No cell phones, radios, T.V.s, video games or other distractions - only the Bible and the Holy Spirit moving in people’s lives. God’s hand was even on the poisonous animals - the scorpions and the snakes that were in the area didn’t bother anyone. The Bible is true; the desert place continues to be the best way to get in communion with the Lord.

Youth camp, although exhausting, is only one area of ministry that we are participating in. Camps held without the support of the local church would have no meaning. The local church is the life-breath of the Christian. During our years of ministry here, Lord has let us raise up 7 churches that continue to this day, as well as some centers that are still in the process of growing into churches. The daily ministry at the local churches is what makes life interesting as we deal with different areas of difficulties in the lives of the members and look for the guidance of the Holy Spirit on how to deal with each one. At times we get discouraged, as we do not win every battle, but each victory makes us shout for joy.

Please pray with us as we continue to focus on our ministry to the young people. In the next two months we still have our children’s camp, a church get-together for all our churches in the area, and an outdoor concert for over 1,000 youth. We thank you for remembering us, as it is your prayers and your financial support of the ministry that make this all possible.