Proclaim  August 2005

Evangelism Fellowship News

We arrived at the Carbon Community Baptist Church in West Texas on Saturday night and set up camp in our motor home. Ken had been asked to preach at the church on Sunday, and then start a very special youth camp Monday morning. We arrived early enough to look around and witness what God had done for this church. They had purchased an old 3-story school building and campus. They had spent many months with the clean-up of the main building and gym. They had added a swimming pool and dining hall and slowly turned this rundown campus into a beautiful camp, with their church sanctuary and offices on the ground floor and plenty of dorm rooms upstairs.

Finally Monday morning arrived and the kids started spilling into the hallway of the school-turned-church. The excitement bubbled up in me as well, as I literally saw one girl jumping up and down—not being able to contain her joy as she placed her bags on her bunk bed. The camp was offered to inner-city kids at absolutely no cost to them. They were bussed in from the Dallas-Fort Worth area and Abilene. For most of them it was the first camp they had ever been to in their lives.

After helping the kids find their dorm rooms, most wound up in the game room to play ping pong, foosball, and pool. There, in those first few minutes, Ken and I cemented friendships with two of these kids. They had no idea how to play ping pong, and we chased more balls than we hit, but we had buddies when we finished. I later greeted little "Marcus" by name and he was amazed that I had remembered him. You remembered my name, he had exclaimed in wonder. Ken’s new little friend, Coruan stuck to him like glue the rest of the camp.

The first day was a day of adjusting, since we were all expecting teens, and we had everything from 6-year olds to 15-year olds. So Monday was a little awkward and even disappointing. The camp directors had even brought in a band for a concert. The band had taken hours to set up and then played graciously for our young congregation with a short attention span. I was struck with the "banquet" set before our small group. Everything was so prepared and ready. But I felt like Jesus was smiling on the effort taken for these little ones.

Ken preached in two worship services each day, but felt because of the range in ages of the kids, he didn’t connect this first day. All he could see was a bunch of tired and sleepy young faces from a day of swimming and activities. I went to sleep with a heavy heart, asking God to turn things around and make this a camp they would remember forever—that it would even be part of their testimony as they grew older. Hopefully they would one day say, I remember the first camp I ever went to… There I met Jesus…

The next day was so much better! Everyone was rested and determined to make this a great camp for these young people. Ken decided to preach on the cross in the morning session. He didn’t preach long, but I don’t know that I’ve ever heard him give this message so concise and understandable. The kids were all quiet and listened intently with their eyes locked on Ken. He said he could see by their faces that they were forcefully affected by the message. If they heard nothing else all week, they heard what their Savior did for them and how to give their lives to Him.

We had another full day of swimming and activities. We also met in small groups all during the camp. Our group was 3 teenage boys, one of the youth leaders, and a small 6 year old girl, who became my buddy. Her name was Elisha (pronounced just like the old time prophet). We were also a "team" when it came time for the games and activities, so we grew especially close to these young people.

In these small groups, we were encouraged to get the kids talking and hopefully sharing some of their struggles. In our group, topics came up such as custody battles, abuse, absent fathers, peer pressure to join the "Goths", and a 6-year old that had already tragically lost her mama. A different assortment of troubles than we were used to! But what a blessing to see these young people give us their trust and confide in us.

We also noticed how they responded to love. The adult leaders were always talking to, hugging, playing with, and just loving on these kids. And they returned that love! Even the older ones would come by, throw their arms around us, and then scurry off. They seemed to be so grateful and blessed by their time at camp. They have truly stolen our hearts! We have already volunteered for next year and can’t wait to be a part of what God will do.

We received quite a tour of this area of Texas, as Ken also preached in the small Texas towns of Pioneer, Gunsight, and Sweetwater during the week. We met fellow believers in Jesus and hopefully were able to encourage and challenge them in their witness for Jesus.

Today (Monday 23 May) we flew to Frankfurt Germany. The flight was routine and we landed 7:30 am Tuesday the 24th in Frankfurt. We waited about three hours for the rest of the team to arrive. They had taken another flight. Then we boarded two rented Mercedes vans and drove to Andernach. Kevin drove one and I drove the other. I prayed God would keep me awake and alert after the long flight and wait. Driving on an autobahn is best done when fully alert, not after almost 24 hours with no sleep! God is faithful! We arrived safely in Andernach 1 ½ to 2 hours later.

What a wonderful day in camp! This seems so great this year; the kids seem so open. Tonight I preached. Wow! It went fantastic. Thank you, Lord Jesus. I felt more comfortable than ever at this, our 3rd Jesus camp. It is so great to have worked with these same people now for four years. I feel such liberty to preach from my heart—no restraints here!!!