From Monday, January 20th to Thursday, January 23rd, we had the annual camp with the kids (10-11 years old) ministry and youth (12-17 years old) ministry. Hannah and I assumed the role of the youth camp directors while a fellow missionary was the director over the kids camp and the general director of the whole camp.
A highlight from camp is that we got to see the leaders act as the body of Christ. Some of the leaders who volunteered to serve the youth and kids at this camp had been previous leaders in the ministry years ago, and they came back to serve for the camp. It was special getting to see old and new leaders strengthen and/or rebuild deep relationships and connections with the youth. Since Hannah and I were not cabin leaders, we found ourselves serving wherever there was more need in a given moment. This was a blessing, as we got to interact with various groups and in a sense, step aside so that the kids came to trust in and familiarize themselves with their cabin leaders. We hope that, as we are in the USA for the birth of Eliana, that this time of camp served as a catalyst for a long-term connection with the youth and other leaders. Seeing the youth open up to other leaders blessed us all and reminded us of the importance of operating in unison as the body of Christ and that no ministry does, nor should, depend on any one person or couple.
In addition to national and missionary leaders, there were two US mission groups who served alongside us for the week. One of the teams came from Hope Fellowship, a church from Maryland. They blessed Hannah and I as they gifted us with a sweet care package, and have decided to partner with us longer-term in our mission to Costa Rica both in prayer and financially. This was a pleasant and honoring surprise for us, and we all, from the children to the leaders, were blessed from their Christ-like love, excellence in their efforts, and service during camp.
Another notable element of camp was certainly the services, namely worship and the youth’s response to worship as well as the messages. In the 2.5 years that we have served the youth, we had never seen them worship with such intensity and energy until this camp, and neither had any of the other leaders! Undoubtedly, the worship team did a phenomenal job of preparing their hearts spiritually and through prayer to lead in song, as well as engaging and encouraging the youth to worship alongside of them rather than sit idly and observe. The worship band is from a local church in La Carpio, and since camp some of the youth have attended that church. This is a multifaceted answered prayer, as the youth continue to invest in their faith and spirituality after camp, they get to trust in a local congregation of believers, and we, as a ministry, unexpectedly built another connection with another local ministry in La Carpio!
Among the deeper connection between the youth and leaders and the passionate times of worship, we saw a number of youth who became deeply vulnerable during camp. Several teenage boys who often act “macho” found themselves sharing personal things that were weighing on their heart, and many of the girls opened up about hurts, lack of forgiveness, or other struggles they faced. I (Christopher) witnessed one of the 17 year old boys, who has been a tough cookie to crack, hugging his cabin leader for a prolonged time as tears fell down his face. That occurred the 2nd night, and the rest of camp this teenager was a more joyful and affectionate person. I (Hannah) had an intimate moment with another girl who I had begun discipleship with recently that came to me crying, faced with the reality of unforgiveness and relational hurts that were eating away at her. Gratefully, she forgave several family members and acknowledged that this was her first step toward true deliverance through the power of Jesus while also realizing there were more things to take care of within the depths of her heart. There are more stories to tell, but these give a glimpse to the depth of how a short but intense time at camp mined away at the hardness of some of the youth’s hearts and how God moved in their lives through being vulnerable, raw and honest before Him and those ministering to them.
It is always a joy at camp to see when kids give their life to Jesus Christ. One of our friends and fellow leader, Jose Pablo, had the opportunity to engage a boy through moments of spiritual warfare and lead him to Christ. In a conversation and without a prompt to do so nor a gospel invitation, the boy cut off Jose Pablo and said, “Enough! I know what I have to do and want to do.” After making a decision to give his life to the Lord, the teenager found himself resisting tears and said he could not stop smiling, and could not explain the joy he felt afterwards. Again, one story of several of a youth or child giving their life to Christ at camp.
A very surprising moment and certainly one of the best is when one of the leaders, Jeremy, proposed to his girlfriend, Diana! We had the youth hide out and watch from a distance as Jeremy got on one knee and asked for Diana’s hand in marriage. It was such a joy getting to celebrate this very special moment with them. Jeremy and Diana are nationals who have served the youth alongside us in La Carpio for more than a year, and will continue to serve as a married couple as of April 13th, their set wedding date.
Lastly, it would not be camp if there were not wild games and activities! It was a blast getting to be with the youth in the mountains and doing different outdoor activities. From a very muddy jungle challenge to a lake with a humongous slide and rope swing, to group riddles, skating, soccer, basketball, and so much more, we got to share countless laughs and joyous moments as we simply got to play and have fun with the youth.
As we returned to La Carpio the last day, we felt the spiritual shift in the atmosphere, and the youth and kids, as we arrived in La Carpio. Truly, it was a night and day difference, and somewhat discouraging to see the demeanor and countenance of some of the youth change upon our arrival, because virtually all of them wanted to stay at camp. It was a week with 3 meals everyday, their own bed to sleep in, times of games, and ample time to spend with safe people and Christians who simply showed them godly love, experiences or elements too many of them do not have in their own homes. Pray for their perseverance as they face another year in school and at home. With the youth, we encouraged them, that while La Carpio has not changed, that all of them have, as all of them responded at some point to a chapel message or in small groups. For those who know Christ, He will continue to transform them as they abide in Him and for those who do not know Him but encountered Him at camp, that they also realize that what they experienced at camp is not bound to camp, but can be experienced at all times with Christ when they surrender to Him.
Anybody who has been involved in camp planning knows how much work goes into it behind the scenes. All that to say, the week away with the youth and kids was absolutely worth it. There is much more that could be said about our time at camp and while more happened in January, camp was certainly the highlight of not only the month, but was one of the highlights of this whole past year.
We are already back in the USA, and less than 40 days out from March 18th, Eliana Grace’s expected due date! In the meantime, we hope to get to see some of you as we eagerly await the birth of our beloved daughter.
Prayer requests:
- The final weeks of Hannah’s pregnancy
- Eliana’s birth
- The growth of the ministry team as they continue to minister to the youth in La Carpio
- The strengthening of the newfound connection the ministry has with the local church
- The perseverance of the youth as they live out what they experienced in camp in an environment that remains the same
Praise reports:
- Newfound partnership with a local ministry in La Carpio
- Newfound partnership with Hope Fellowship, a USA church
- The unity as the body of Christ and service of the leaders at camp, the majority of whom were nationals
- Those youth and kids who have given their life to Jesus at camp
- Exposure and experience for our friend in the realm of spiritual warfare, who has maintained a studious heart and open posture to this reality
- The engagement of Jeremy and Diana and their wedding on April 13th