The Harvest!

Friday was our last day at camp – the finale to a week of excitement and expectation.  God blessed us with a wonderful sunny, warm day so much of it was spent outside when we could.  The parents were treated to the graduation session where the children got certificates and photos of their teams, as well as a gospel of John to get into the parent’s hands.  There were many wistful goodbyes and hopes for us to return next year.  We are confident that the true gospel went out this year – the depiction yesterday of Jesus death and resurrection was a very bold move, done with a narrated vignette showing man’s fall from innocence to sin and the separation that could only be bridged by Jesus’ sacrifice.  Many parents were there, and it was the type of thing that the children will remember in their hearts as they grow up.  We want so much for them to realize that they can have a personal relationship with the God of their faith, through Jesus Christ alone, and that He offers joy they can’t imagine!

The youth event Thursday night was incredible – about 70 people showed up on the beach on another beautiful night, and played games and ate food and heard the gospel.  Six young men prayed to receive Jesus – Hallelujah! - and hung around to get more of the fellowship they had seen that evening.  Tonight as I’m writing, they contacted our bunch and want to meet again at the beach, so a few of our older kids and younger adults have gone down to meet with them.  As mentioned above, today was a glorious warm day and this evening is no different, so they should have a wonderful time of getting to know each other more.

Andrea and Cherie also had the opportunity Thursday night to host about 7 of the women for coffee. Alexia was also quite the hostess and activities coordinator for the children who came along, organizing games for the boys, the Ukranian girls who had no English and the other girls.  The women had the opportunity to go around the circle and find out more about each other’s lives and we have such a deeper understanding of how to pray and support them as sisters in Christ.  It seems that while the Irish are reticent to share among themselves, it is easier for them to share with us, probably because we won’t be around getting into their business all year, but are willing to pray based on the knowledge we have of them, and they want us to get it right. J  We are hoping that the openness we have shown and the steps toward transparency that they have made will help them be more and more comfortable as a support to one another.

Again, your prayer support has meant so much to us this week and even prior to the trip.  You paved the way with your intercession and God has accomplished much.  Saturday Terry and his family leave for Arizona, and a couple others leave as well.  The very well-traveled group of 5 leave on Sunday and ask your prayers to get us all the way home on time, as we have to get to work on Monday.  And before then, we still have the women’s tea tomorrow night, the culmination of our week of spontaneous get-togethers and devotional that we introduced to them the first weekend.  Thank you for continuing in prayer!