The first week of camp was a kid's camp. There were about fifty kids from the ages of six to eleven. As soon as the kids arrived at the camp by bus, they were divided into two different teams (my team, which i was the captain of, was called "Pirratas de Tirrases"). Throughout the week I played: alarm clock, doctor, lifeguard, team captain, and a little bit of everything else fro my cabin of fifteen boys. Kid's camp was crazy because of all the yelling, screaming, and ridiculous team chants and games.
The second week, jovenes camp, with the teenagers was a lot more relaxed. I was a team captain again and my team's name was Sapricampa. There was still a lot of screaming and yelling, but, it was easier to connect with the teenager because there were only twenty-five of them and they were more relational than the little kids. It was an awesome week. For the teenage week, it was more of a youth conference and the teenagers were able to have more free time than the kid's week because they don't have to be watched 24/7. I was a counsellor of nine guys and I was able to connect with them and show them the love of Christ.
One of the guys I was really able to get to know throughout the teenage camp was Andre. Andre was one of the older guys at the camp at seventeen. He's close to graduating high school and is nervous about what to do next. He did and internship at a bank this summer and really enjoyed it. My prayer for him is that he doesn't fall into all of the different temptations and problems in Tirrases like so many of his peers. I pray that God will continue to change him, giving hime a desire to change. Before camp, Andre wasn't attending our Saturday ministry and was actually invited to camp an hour before the bus left. However, he was willing to go, and at the end of camp, he talked about how God taught him so much throughout the week. It was cool to see how God worked things out for Andre to be able to attend camp and that he was able to learn more about God and His Word.
Since camp, we have retained a lot of the kids and teenagers during our Saturday ministry. A lot of them are still eager to learn more and hang out with us, so we are trying to continue their interest in our ministry by coming up with new, fun activities that they can participate in and enjoy.
Please pray for all of us in the Tirrases ministry and that we would use this great opportunity God has given us to continue to grow the church, our children's club, youth group, and our connections with all of the kids and teenagers as they come off their "camp high" and go back to school again.
Pray for Andre and the rest of the kids and teens as they go back to school and face all kinds of temptations.
Pray that God may continue to work in their lives and call them to Him and His son, Jesus.
Pray also for God to guide all of the GAP students this year as many of them are still trying to figure out what their next step is.
Thanks again to everyone that has been supporting me down here both in prayer and financially. If you feel led to financially partner with me you can click here.
Score International Webpage
Losing my voice cheering on our team Sapricampa
Group of teenagers that were in my cabin
My kids for the week of craziness
Andre sharing about his experience throughout the week of camp
Jafet and I sharing testimonies
Celebrating after winning one of the competitions
