Article submitted by Faith Poteat DeFriese.

After having to cancel camp in 2020, it was so wonderful to be back this year. The kids were so excited to be at camp, and the weather was fantastic! Our chapel lessons were on the life of Jesus. Preteen week in chapel, I was teaching about Jesus healing the leper. I asked the girls if they knew what leprosy was. The 8-year-old daughter of a former camper raised her hand. When I called on her, she said “It's when you turn into a leopard.” I shared what leprosy actually is, and the same little girl said, “I've had that.” Ha!

 

On Thursday night after the campfire, I was talking with one of our 11-year-old campers (who had been to camp before). She already has a relationship with Jesus. When I asked her what she wanted to talk about, she said, “I just keep on sinning, and I'm afraid Jesus is going to get tired of forgiving me over and over.” It was such a privilege to share Scripture with her to help her see truth from God's Word. We looked at 1 John 1:9 and John 10:28. After looking at those verses she also shared that she doesn't spend as much time in her Bible as she should. I shared some other tools with her for continuing her quiet time after camp. When we finished, she said she was excited to get home and read her Bible more. 

Thank you for making it possible for us to invest in these precious children.

Article submitted by Faith Poteat DeFriese.

Because last year's 15-year-olds missed out on their last year of camp due to COVID, we invited them to return as 16-year-olds. Four of them have been coming to camp for 7 years and the other for 6 years. I sat down with them and asked some questions.

Faith: Last year when you learned that camp was canceled, what were you going to miss most?

Ahnjala: Everthing. It's amazing how y'all do camp every year for two weeks when we don't give you any money.

Renay: And it's like our counselors are picked perfectly for us!

Faith: When you found out you were going to get to come as a 16-year-old, what was your reaction?

Grayson: I was surprised because I didn't think I was going to get my final year.

Jordan: I was excited! I have a job, so as soon as my mom told me, I took off work so I could come.

Faith: What has camp meant to your life?

Jordan: I grew up in church, but here I feel the most connected to God.

Grayson: I'm so grateful for how y'all teach the youth to get closer to God now and not wait.

Alexis: I love the atmosphere here. I get to meet new people and get closer to God in the process.

Renay: The people here are like my second family. Being here has taught me that being a Christian is more of a relationship with God and not just reading your Bible or going to church or saying you're a Christian.

Faith: What would you like to say to the donors?

Alexis: Thank you for supporting me my 7 years. I will always remember you guys. I'm extremely grateful.

Ahnjala: I appreciate it. One of my favorite years was when we came to perform for y'all at the banquet!

Renay: Even though I don't know y'all I love y'all. This amazing experience is life-changing.

Please join us in praying for these five young people. Pray that they would stay close to Jesus, that they would be a light for Him, and that they would find community with other believers.

Left to right - Alexis, Grayson, Renay, Jordan & Ahnjala