I have had a great weekend with the Charles City EFC; the Saturday night pie auction to raise money for the new motel lodge was fun and profitable... over $1500 was raised for the new building. I stayed over night and spoke during the adult Sunday school hour.
What really blessed me was the Sunday afternoon baptism of two young ladies, Courtney Debner and Victoria Downey; Courtney had accepted Christ while at camp and Victoria had rededicated her life to the Lord while at camp. These young lady's baptism was a special event for me to witness. I was so pleased that Hidden Acres played a part in the development of their spiritual lives.
Summer camp has been over for some time but the memory of the summer still glows in my heart and mind. Just last week, a leader of our International camp told me a great story. During the first day of International camp Nancy had asked a couple boys she didn't recognize, "What country are you from?" The boys replied, "Chicago!" "No, what country," Nancy asked again. Again the boys replied emphatically, "Chicago!" Nancy saw the boys in Ames after camp was over and the boys asked Nancy, "Did you know that Jesus Christ loved you so much that he died on the cross?" Nancy told them, "I sure do!" Nancy went on to tell me the boys were now attending Awanas at the Ames church.
Whether it is hearing the gospel for the first time or for the 100th time, great spiritual encounters can happen at camp.
What really blessed me was the Sunday afternoon baptism of two young ladies, Courtney Debner and Victoria Downey; Courtney had accepted Christ while at camp and Victoria had rededicated her life to the Lord while at camp. These young lady's baptism was a special event for me to witness. I was so pleased that Hidden Acres played a part in the development of their spiritual lives.
Summer camp has been over for some time but the memory of the summer still glows in my heart and mind. Just last week, a leader of our International camp told me a great story. During the first day of International camp Nancy had asked a couple boys she didn't recognize, "What country are you from?" The boys replied, "Chicago!" "No, what country," Nancy asked again. Again the boys replied emphatically, "Chicago!" Nancy saw the boys in Ames after camp was over and the boys asked Nancy, "Did you know that Jesus Christ loved you so much that he died on the cross?" Nancy told them, "I sure do!" Nancy went on to tell me the boys were now attending Awanas at the Ames church.
Whether it is hearing the gospel for the first time or for the 100th time, great spiritual encounters can happen at camp.
Over the weekend I heard another good story; Pastor Mike Downey told of speaking at camp 10 years ago. That was the summer that the Brooklyn EFC in Beresford, SD had sent over 40 kids to camp from town, paying for their entire camp experience. The particular week that Mike spoke, a young girl by the name of Rachelle attended camp and accepted Christ. Recently the girl told Mike that she was one of the kids during that week of camp; she is also the same young lady who is dating Mike's son; spiritual children and biological children. When one is faithful, you never know how that will influence the future.
