day 90: camp day 2 @ xolani

at 6am it was POURING, & as we loaded up the cars later i thought to myself, "this should be interesting." bonnie told us when we arrived that the cape town disaster center is on high alert in case of the need to help those in flooded areas. you can READ ABOUT IT BY CLICKING HERE. we were concerned that pastor "j" who was supposed to work with us today & share the invitation with the learners would not be able to make it because of where he lives, BUT...day 2 of camp was another success as the Lord continues to move in big ways despite even the weather!!

we took another approach to kick off the day (per the suggestion of our team's south african driver whom we all LOVE). we marched around the block singing & blowing vuvuzelas inviting all who could hear to come & join. when we started off we had 10-15 kids. by the time we rounded the 2nd corner, there were 15-20 more running our direction. i couldn't help but smile! even there in the rain people were peeking out of their homes, some stepping out in their pjs to see what all the racket was about. we ran from shack to shack inviting them all. although the "parade" left us quite wet, by the time we officially kicked off the morning the rain STOPPED again.

more good news - not only did pastor "j" make it, but he brought with him a carload of children from the orphanage he runs out of his church home. all in all, 72 campers gathered for a FUN day! when the pastor shared with them the gospel in xhosa, nearly every single learner there responded. so, he took a few minutes to further explain what that kind of decision meant. when, again, he asked who wanted to respond, a great majority of them stood to their feet. 31 indicated on cards that they'd asked Jesus into their hearts & 32 of them said they had more questions. & again, the goal is to visit with each one of them.

(top middle) the learners are making frisbees everyday this week
(top right) indoor crab soccer was a HIT!
(bottom left) little 7-yr. old "m" continues to be a leader on our team
(bottom right) a grade 7 learner from another school courageously (& w/ GREAT excitement) shared her testimony today w/ the grade 6&7 girls during snack time

it's hard to know when that many students respond how many of those decisions are genuine. but, i am reminded again & again that we are simply called to faithfully proclaim the message.

PRAY with us:
- that the students who heard the name of Jesus (some for the first time) would understand what it means to truly belong to Christ
- that the students would genuinely understand what it means to live a life affected & transformed by Jesus (i had several difficult conversations w/ students today about how they spend their spare time)
- that the Lord would continue to stir in the hearts of pastor "j" & other leaders in the community to reach out to these youth...there are MANY to follow-up with!

oh, &  by the way, when i got back to my apartment...the rain began again.
God's good. :)