Week 4 Begins - Pray for Revival at Camp this Week!

Sunday evening our staff directors, Tom Seagraves and Nancy Todd, asked us camp staff to pray for a week of revival here at camp. 

Deeply sharing from his own personal experience and challenges in the last year, Tom described how God gave him a glimpse of His purpose for some of the hard things.  For example, He reminded Tom of times when God put him in a situation where he was able to share the gospel with people he normally would not have had opportunity to reach.  But in order to see these glimpses, Tom needed a revival in his own prayer life. 

 Tom then directed our attention to Jeremiah 32:17.  “Ah Lord God!  Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm!  Nothing is too difficult for you.”  If nothing is too difficult for Him, then we should not be afraid to pray for revival.  Tom said that God had impressed on his heart to pray for revival at camp this week.  Then Nancy shared that God had used different means to put the same thing on her heart – revival at camp this week.   

Later this morning, 90+ campers, pre-teen boys & girls, will arrive for 5 days at Camp CUMCITO.  Will you pray with us for a big thing that’s not too difficult for our God?  Will you pray for revival for these campers?

An Update from Family Camp

The theme this week has been 'The Hunger Games'. There have been games based on your hunger and thirst for God. They have had some good, deep discussions.

The clients were given wooden 2x4 pieces cut into blocks and they were told to write their burdens on this block at the beginning of the week. They have had to carry this block with their burdens written on it with them everywhere they go and they were told to try and figure out how to get rid it of. Summer Staff, volunteers and staff have offered to take their burden blocks away from them in exchange for extra pool time, an extra snack at canteen or extra free time. But at the end of the day the clients are given their burden blocks back and it is bigger than it was before! So they thought they were getting rid of it but it was not the right way of getting rid of it.

Tonight they are having a bonfire with a Cross set up at the fire and they will be throwing their burden blocks in the fire tonight. So be in prayer for this evening's lesson to touch each heart.

Week Two - Thursday Update

The 4th of July was celebrated with a late night swim and dance party in the canteen!  Our wonderful cook made special treats and there were red, white and blue decorations all around the pool.  The pool water was almost refreshing after a hot day in the sun.

We could hear fireworks even over the music that was blaring.  The girls were excited to do something different for the holiday, although some were wishing they were home with their families.  Many of the returning teen girls have made coming to camp a holiday tradition because it is usually held the week of the 4th.

Even after all the excitement of the party, some of the girls chose camping out as their optional activity.  There were 3 cabins of girls and one cabin for staff.  At 5:30 am one of the recreation staff woke up and noticed there were 3 girls standing outside of their tent.  These were the 16 year olds, our most veteran campers.  They were talking quietly and she couldn’t quite hear what they were saying.  All of the sudden they started shaking out their tent! 

They talked a little more and then one of the campers started praying over the tent.  Our rec staff person, Jodie, heard them asking God to remove all the bugs so they could get back to sleep!  They gave the tent one more shake, went back inside and went right back to sleep.  That’s called trusting God!

Prayer requests for Thursday, July 5th:

• Praise God for our fun 4th of July celebration last night. 
• Praise that several cabins have had deep devotions.  The campers have started opening up.  There have been many tears and late night conversations.
• Today we are going to Truman Lake where the girls will swim and have a picnic supper.  Please pray for safety and fun! 
• The heat is causing headaches, swollen ankles, leg cramps and sunburns.  Allergy symptoms have also kept our nurse busy late into the night.
• Many campers have requested prayers for their families.  Our God knows each of their situations and needs.  Some would like their family members and friends to come to know Christ and for Him to keep them safe. 
• They also want God to change their attitudes and to reduce the stress in their lives which will only come as they learn to trust Him more.
• The counselors (and all staff) would like prayers for energy and perseverance to finish the week strong.  Good restful restorative sleep is also needed.
• We have a camper with a sprained ankle.
• 2 sisters who are homesick.
• Campers testing their counselors
• Many girls who are more concerned about what others think than what God thinks.

Thank you, thank you for your prayers!  They are where all the power comes from!!!

Week Two - Teen Girls at Camp

We have 54 girls at camp this week and the only way to keep cool is by getting wet!  Yesterday afternoon the girls spent time in the pool and at the lake last evening. We had a cookout and s’mores, showers and finally it was time for chapel. By the time the girls had finished devotions, they were so tired that all lights were out within 15 minuntes of the final bell!

There is at least one camper who has never been to church and this is her first time hearing about God!  Another camper has made it quite clear that she doesn’t want to hear about God.  We are praying that God will touch both of their hearts, as well as the hearts of all of the campers in His way and His time so that lives will be changed!

During breakfast at one of the tables the girls began sharing some very hard things going on in their lives.  The counselor shared that her father passed away recently and one of the campers shared that her father was killed in a car accident.  Another camper’s father has been in jail her whole life.  Another’s brother may be going to jail soon.  But because of all the hard things, they all agree that God is real!

 Prayer Requests:

• Please pray for a break in the hot dry weather and restful sleep for campers and staff.
• Unity in the cabins and that the veteran campers will welcome and help the newbies.
• Patience
• Healthy relationships between staff and campers.
• Creativity in ways to connect with these girls, showing them the right balance between love and authority.
• Wisdom and answers to hard questions.
• Pray that the girls will begin to open up and experience God’s love.
• Scripture will be learned and applied after camp.
• Good health for staff & campers.
• One teacher has a cough, a manager had a migraine and their are a lot of sore throats.
• Also, for our teacher Kalie:  Pray for focus and the ability not to notice distractions during chapel.  That God will use what she has prepared and for the Holy Spirit to give her His words. 
• There is one camper who has made it clear she doesn’t want to be here nor to hear about God.  Pray for God to soften her heart as well as the hearts of all of the campers He has brought here this week!

Week One - Friday's Carnival

Friday was the last full day at camp and we had a carnival! The Development Team from the Mission’s offices in Kansas City drove down to run the different booths. Some of the fun was popping balloons with darts, a dunking booth, a VERY wet water relay, face painting, horseshoes, basketball, refreshments and more.  It was a great time for the children to just relax, have fun and celebrate a very active and spirit filled week of camp.

A camper whose name is Jacier shared what he is learning, ”I can live a better life by trusting in God day by day”. 

Other campers had these comments to share during chapel – “Even though we mess up He will still love you.”  - “If you need friend to talk to, you can talk to Jesus!”

Three cabins went to camp out last night and they had an awesome devotion time.

Many campers asked great questions about Jesus and salvation.

Please continue to pray for the counselors for patience and wisdom when they are asked questions so that they can answer and teach what campers need to know. Also, please pray for campers, not only during the week, but also when they go back home that they will understand and receive the gift of God and have better understanding of Kingdom of God through the Holy Spirit! Please pray the campers know that God is there for them wherever they are.

Week One - Thursday update

What a blessing for camp staff to have the opporunity to be here and share the love with these wonderful children!  We are thankful for the nice weather, although hot! 

We have a few campers with discipline issues and we pray that it can be a great opportunity for us to love them and share our lives.  There are several campers with problems at home with fighting parents. We pray asking God to give them peace and comfort.  Please remember to pray for camp staff to have strength to deal with campers and share God's love with them.

During one of the optional cooking activities, one of the cooks helped the kiddos make cookies.  She gave them each a teaspoon of cookie dough to enjoy, however a camper named De’Andre decided to give his spoonful to another cook, Ms. Becky, which really made her day.  When De’Andre was told how this kindness made her so happy, it made him smile real big!  The rec staff then relayed the big smiles from De’Andre back to Ms. Becky, which brought tears to her eyes. All this happiness in such a simple act of kindness touched everyone else too!  Funny how one teaspoon of cookie dough can touch so many hearts!

Week One - Junior Camp

It's been a HOT week, but so much fun for the boys and girls, ages 9-10 who were blessed to attend.  Many of them came back from last year. A few girls were homesick the first day, but they were over it quickly.  One camper was so excited to be at camp, he said,  "It's my first time to be apart from my mom this far!" He got to experience fishing for the first time too!

One cabin got a chance to be in a morning skit where one of the girls enjoyed playing the part of  the 'King', which represents Jesus.  She learned that Jesus wants her to know more about Him.

It seems like campers are really enjoying the camp, they are so passionate to memorize the verse!  Praise the Lord!