Day 5, week 2: This morning, Jeff invited all kids who made a first time commitment to follow Jesus to meet him at the blob tower at 7:3o for the New Believers walk. He was overwhelmed at the 135 kids waiting there, ready to hear more of God's word, throw a rock in the water to symbolize their old life and put a rock in the pile as a monument of their new life.
What an honor to be with these kids and leaders as they begin a new journey with God.
Some highlights:
Seeing the San Francisco kids there--7 boys and their leader. 1/2 of the boys recieved Bibles in English and 1/2 in Spanish! They really liked Jeff and connected to him. Jeff lived life with these guys and I could tell that the leaders and the boys really appreciated it after all they went through this week. (see picture of Jeff and boys)
The Mukilteo crew had some life changing stories. We sat by the pool with Bruce K, their leader and he told us about getting some of these kids to camp. They really have some tough lives, stories that would just tare your heart out. Absent parents who still live in the home, drug use to escape it all, poverty, dysfunctional parents, no phones in the family, no cars, wow! (Not your typical Mukilteo story). Many of the Mukilteo kids came to decisions to start relationships with Jesus Christ too. (see photo of kids circled up praying)
The kids and adults have really been impressed with Jeff's ability to be real about his own life as well as sharing what life with Jesus is like. It's a miracle really, that he's able to capture their attention (544 middle school kids + about 100 (high school/adult leaders) for 20+ or - minutes!
It must be God using him! Thanks for your prayers.
Tomorrow, Aug 5th, our kids & Leaders from Everett/Mill Creek come! As a bonus, we have some Adult Guest coming as part of the Adult Guest program.
We enjoyed our 'inbetween camp time' with some free babysitting from Summer Staff girls and a lonnnnnnnnnng walk for Jeff and I!
3 comments:
Wow, Jeff reminds me of Jesus speaking to the 'multitudes' in that first picture! God is sure using him in amazing ways. It's been such a blessing reading about what God is doing in kids' lives, Tanya. YOU are amazing and I appreciate you! Thanks so much for keeping us all in touch with what's happening at WHC.
Jeff i think it is amazing that you are changing the lifes of these campers just as you have changed my life. I hope you and the family are having a great time and it sounds like you guys are
Email from the San Francisco Leader, Jay Miranda, a year later...
hey Jeff,
Thanks alot bro. That means alot. We work with some tough kids here but the Lord is working in their lives. You know, the most powerful cabin time I ever had was at Wyldhorse with those kids during the night of sin talk. During sin talk we always do the "cabin time in darkness" in which the kids can have some time to feel how comfortable and natural it becomes to be in the dark sometimes despite the fact that its scary and lonely. Every single kid in our cabin broke down crying with their hurt as they shared the things that keep them broken. They would encourage each other and talk to each other and come around and hug each other in the dark. I barely had to speak during that cabin time and the Lord did his thing. 2 of the kids are now in jail, 2 joined gangs, and enrique continues to fight the temptation of the gang world. The hate built up inside of him because of his brothers death and the extra pain of his parents splitting up soon after has been alot for him to handle. On the other side, 11 of those kids continue to come to club and are doing well for themselves in school and in their decisions. I am so excited about their lives and continue to talk to encourage the others and visit them in jail. We ended up going to Oakbridge this year with a brand new batch of kids but we really wished we were back at Wildhorse. Maybe next year.
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