And then there were 3 camps

Well teenager camp has just ended and what a week it has been. We finish each camp with a bonfire and people share what they have thought of the week and how they have been challenged by the teaching. It was amazing to see young people, 13-16 telling stories of God´s grace in their lives, how he has helped them through incredibly difficult situations and committing to know him more. The Pastor this week was great and really releveant for the young people, played some interesting videos to illustrate his points. He talked so fast that i couldn´t understand a thing he said but i know that the young people were challenge about how they were living their lives, the consequences of the decisions they will make in life and shown the grace that is freely given in Christ´s death on the cross. The theme of camps is ´The way´, Caminos in Spanish and our verse for the week is Psalm 18:30:

³⁰ As for God, his way is perfect:
The LORD’s word is flawless;
he shields all who take refuge in him.
³¹ For who is God besides the LORD?
And who is the Rock except our God?
³² It is God who arms me with strength
and keeps my way secure.
³³ He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;
he causes me to stand on the heights.
³⁴ He trains my hands for battle;
my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
³⁵ You make your saving help my shield, and your right hand sustains me;
your help has made me great.

We had plenty of games through the week, the Pastor had some great ones he played with the kids in the morning and he had the young people do dramas on bible lessons and some typical tough decisions young people make regarding relationships, drugs, friendships with hilarious results. Weve had plenty of time at the beach (i think exteme frisbee is the sport for me), treasure hunts, quiz night, a dance off, ningas and photo challenge. It has been great to get to know the kids, to teach some english and learn some spanish slang!

Jonny Younge, has joined the Mision Rescate team from Arequipa! Jonny works in Arequipa with Latin Link, another Christian organisiation seeking to share the good news of Christ here in Peru. He has been studying Spanish for the last few months and is about to start working with the young people in his church and pyoung adults with dissabilities. He will be with us for the next camp and we´d be happy for him to stay longer! he´s been a great addition to the team and its great to have another northern irish accent, we even sang a few n.i athems. If you want to read more about what jonnys been up to in peru have a look at jonnyinperu.blogspot.com

for me its been a busy week and today exhaustion took over, slept for 4 hours this afternoon and couldn´t work out why it was dark when i woke. but feeling ready for the next camp, up to 100 young adults are due to arrive tomorrow (sunday night) and a few more counsellors to keep us right.

Prayer points

- For the young people people who have just finish camp that the teaching they have heard would stay with them and they would faithful serve God int eh future

- For the young adults arriving tomorrow that they would have a fun and encouraging camp and they would find the help they need here

- that the team would learn together, learn from the campers and from the teaching at camps

- for the health of the team and counsellors as the start another camp

- that we would know the joy of the Lord daily, listen for His voice and know His love

Neh 8: 10+

"For the Joy of the Lod is our Strength...Be still"

Campamentos de adolescentes

Sorry this will be a short post. The young people´s camp has begun with about 35 young people filling the campsite this evening. Things have started well and we pray that this will be a time of teaching, encouragement and training for the young people. Many are coming from difficult situations at home and we hope that this week will be a time when they can find wisdom and srength. Pray that the Lord would meet the needs of every camper, leaders, counselor and those of the mision rescate team as we start camp numero 2.

Gracias

Family Camp

Well family camp has nearly ended. It has been a fantastic week with families from Ilo, Ete, Moquegua, Tacna and Arequippa. The focus of the week has been ´The way´asking whether we lives our lives according to God´s word in how we love others, and whether the realities of life put roadblocks in the way.

(kids at camp)

It has been great to spend time with the different families at the beach, doing the obstacle course, treasure hunts round Ete and the most inventive photo competition i have ever seen. The teams put so much work into everything they´ve been asked to do including kissing crabs, dressing up like pirates and reenacting Titanic! The holiday bible club has gone really well and the team have learnt so much whilst having fun with the kids. After kids club the kids go to the main meeting and stand at the front to say their memory verse and sing for their family one of the songs we have learnt in kids club. it has been great to see their enthusiam and to see how much they have remembered from the bible lessons and verses.

(Obstacle course)

^{Matt 7:13} “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. ¹⁴ But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find

it.

(One of the team at camp)

Pray for the families who have come to camps, that they will have been encouraged in their walk with God and are better equipped to follow in His Way. Please pray for the kids at camp that the things they have learnt will have excited their hearts as they have learnt about a

wonderful saviour who can give them life and life to the full. Pray for Pastor Silas who has led our studies this week and his family that they will have had a blessed time and for their church in Tacna.

For the team, this has been such a busy week but they is joy that comes in serving God and knowing that you are being used by him. Unfortunately Judith hasn´t been able to join the team so pray that see will find peace and know that God has other plans for her. Pray for Guido as he leads the team, as he keeps track of all the things we have to do and for wisdom as he counsels and guides the team.

(Me, Jorge (MR), David (MR), Andrew Morrow, Chris (former MR))

For me, its been a week of new things. I did my first memory verse in Spanish, have sang in spanish at the talent night and also had a 4 year old correct my spanish. A special moment was when i was practicing my memory verse, four of the girls from the kids club came to chat and let me practice with them and helped me prono

unce a few words. I praise God for his provision in the little things, that i have had such fun with the kids, that i´ve been healthy and surviving late night preparations and spanish translation, that the team have been so patient with me. i´m thankful for Trevor and Christine, Andrew and Rebecca (missionary family who look after mision rescate) for looking after me and for all those from home who have sent emails and facebook, it always brings a smile to hear from home. I imagine that i will ask for pray for my spanish a lot over the next months but as i start to get the hand of simple phrases and sentences i realise how much more there is to learn. Pray that i will find strength and courage in God and serve him and him alone.

Joshua 1:9

Have I not commanded you? Be strong andcourageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Welcome to Camps

Welcome

After all the cleaning and preparation camps begin this week. Family camp starts tomorrow (Sunday) and we expect to have 50 people staying at the camp all week, leaving on Saturday. While the grown ups are meeting and studying God´s word together the mision rescate team will be looking after the children. We´re organising a program of games, songs, memory verses and bible lessons and appreciate your prayers as we finalise the program. I´ll be teaching memory verses, so pray i can manage the Spanish. The team have been working really hard and as i write its 12 oclock and we´re painting and cutting metal posts, so pray that we would find strength in God and that he would sustain us through the week.

For many families, family camp provides an opportunity for parents and children to be together. Many parents work long hours to support their children and dont get to see their children through the day. It will be a time when families can relax and enjoy spending time with each other, pray that families wold feel refreshed and encouraged. Some of the family members who will come to camp are not Christians and dont follow Jesus, and for some this will be the first time that they have heard the message of the gospel. Pray that the seed would be planted and especially for the children that they would understand and accept the wonderful gift of salvation.

^{Matthew 11:28-29}

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."