Thursday, March 28, 2013

Winter Camp 2013 - Session 8. March 15-17 - 10-12 Grade



Dear Prayer Warriors,

Once again we write you all with gratitude for your faithful prayers for the ministry and for the lives of our campers, counselors, and staff. After finishing our winter camp directing season on March 15-17th we can see in full view the glory of what God has done in the lives of so many untouched and unreachable campers. Thank you for praying!

Because of your prayers and God’s faithfulness, we can almost always recall the excitement of seeing a camper come to the Lord right before our eyes. Also, because of your prayers and God’s faithfulness, we are able to see campers put their faith in Jesus and become rooted in him. One of these campers we want to share with you about is Manuel. He has been coming to camp for a long time, probably close to eight years attending both summer and winter camps. He gave his life to the Lord during one of his summer weeks a few years ago and this winter camp was his last camp. He’ll be graduating from high school in May and begin a new phase in life. For the most part, he is a pretty quiet and reserved kind of guy and didn’t speak up very much throughout the weekend. His counselor had lots to say about him during Victory circle, however, when he stood up with tears in his eyes and shared how Manuel’s tender heart toward the Lord has been growing each year. He was able to see this because he had been Manuel’s counselor several times before and could see the follower of Christ that Manuel has become. His counselor, Todd, was able to tell Manuel, as a father would to a son, how proud he was of him. Although it was hard to see Manuel go, we know and trust that the work God has begun in him here at camp will continue, and so through all our prayers we faithfully ask him to do so. Will you please continue to pray for Manuel, especially as he graduates from high school this year?

This past weekend was particularly special because we had so many young men and women that we saw are faithfully walking with the Lord in their homes, outside of camp. This is no easy task for many of the kids who live in homes where God is not talked about, and church is not an item on the menu. They have to make a way for themselves to be able to be involved in a church and get connected to a Christian fellowship, so that they don’t fall away. Many of them have done such a good job of this that we find them eligible to apply for our Junior Counselor program where they are given a chance to come back and serve at camp. We have a lot of requirements that JC’s must meet, but we find that it challenges them to stay connected and grow in their faith. We’re always thrilled to keep them for a while longer, even after they’ve graduated. Please, if you will, continue praying specifically for Dan, Vicki, Judi, Donovan, and Josh, all of which may have a chance at some point in the next few years to apply to be JCs. We know that the battle will only increase as the enemy attacks their lives to keep them from following the Lord.

We feel so blessed knowing that your prayers are with us each week! Every single weekend this winter we could feel the Holy Spirit working in the hearts of the campers as we teach the word of God and love on his children. Thanks for being part of the team that blessed the campers this winter season!

                                                                                   In Christ’s Love,
                                                                                   Jeremy & Amy Allen and the Camp Alandale Family

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