Challenged, Stretched, and Other Good Stuff! 

Wow!  God is stretching me and teaching me to rely on Him.  Obviously, that’s a good thing but it’s certainly not an easy thing.  For those of you who have heard me speak publicly, you know that I am not called to preach, but I have now been led to do so 3 times down here.  Praise God that I get to use His words instead of mine.  Things move slower down here but that doesn’t mean nothing’s happening.  During the last month we have nearly completed construction on our new sports field, spoken to 3 new churches about what camp is about and how we support their ministry, added several new counselors to our training, helped 2 churches with games and outreach in the local community, removed 1 dump truck that was stuck in the sand, and laid down 1 motorcycle to keep from hitting a little girl (everyone was fine.)  Please pray as God leads that we will follow with joy and faith that He is in control.  It’s a wild ride! 

 Where Are We Now…
                     And Where Are We Going?

We have two major tasks to accomplish down here for camp.  The first and most important is to train and disciple the camp director and staff to run this camp as God leads.  If they can do that, camp can be done wherever God sees fit.  Our camp director, Americo Navarro, is working hard as he learns how to lead this staff; spiritually, mentally, and physically; how to manage the operations of a camp; how to build and maintain a camp; and how to reach out to the people of this region.  It’s a big task that God is preparing him for.  Americo and I are able to work together daily as this camp grows and we learn together what is necessary for this camp to function.  God has also provided for us to be able to meet weekly with the young people of this area who have volunteered to serve as counselors.  They are excited and love the idea of “not wasting fun” for Christ! 

Our second task is the actual construction of the camp and this last month has been a big one as we build our new sports field.  I am excited to see what God will accomplish with His new field.  As I travel around this area and see these folks play soccer and volleyball anywhere they can, I imagine how excited and overwhelmed they will be when they first see a huge, level field with real goals, nets and lines to mark it.  They will be blown away! 
 

What Else Is Happening?

Workers…most of the people that you see in the photos included are pastors and camp counselors that are excited to be able to work to raise more money for their families and help build this camp at the same time. 

Cabin construction continues as it has been.  The roofs are now up and they are working on the ceilings and floors.  Please pray for this progress as it is beginning to look like a place where lots of kids can live and play and learn. 

Please pray as churches have asked us to help them reach out to their community with games.  They have seen how we are impacting lives and are beginning to understand how we can use this ministry to reach out and grow our believers.  This is a great opportunity first for the lost to be reached, second for our counselors to apply what they are learning, and finally for our churches to understand the impact that camp ministry can have on their congregation. 
 

Photo Gallery

 

Coaches Corner

This is Darwin and Julio.  They are serving the camp in two ways.  Julio has been a counselor with us for Camp Amazon and for multiple activities that we have had in the community and it is awesome to see him focus and love on kids.  Darwin is one of our newest counselors and it is exciting to see him grow and learn how to show Christ to others.  They are both also an important part of our work crew as we build the new field for camp. 

Both of these young men have been Christians for less than a year and it has been amazing to see God change their lives.  Both know the importance of reaching out as they were both led to Christ through work that Andy (my predecessor) and Pastor Bebeto (youth pastor) have been able to do in Iquitos.