Thursday, June 28, 2007

LP Missions Trip 07 Day 4-5



It's hard to believe that the camp down here is almost over! Time flies when you're having fun! Wednesday was a great day with the Momentum in full swing. The Bethel team continues their labor of love in shining fashion. Despite weariness and lack of sleep the teens continue to serve faithfully with a joyful spirit. Parents you should be proud! Our group is also looking for ways to interject the gospel of our Lord at every opportunity. It is during the small group time that our teens have been prepared to boldly proclaim Christ. Yesterday was college game day. It was a ball (no pun intended)! The heat and humidity were high, but the spirit of encouragement and service was the cool part (in a good way). Today was international day. Lots of festive food parties. More pics from today later. We thought Elle had come down with strep throat, but she seems to be alright after a check up. She was exposed to lots of germs because her campers love her some much that they were hanging on her. Then 2 of her cabin kids came down with strep. It appears that the Lord has answered our prayers by giving her a negative on the test, or he is giving her a few more days of health before it hits (we hope the former). She never once complained and was ready to get back and serve. Tomorrow is the last day with the kids. It has been a great week. We appreciate your prayers. Pray especially that many children respond to the gospel in these last 2 days. Pray that seeds will be planted for a bountiful harvest. Pray that God will continue to teach us in many ways. We will have a lot to debrief on in terms of what we have learned and I know it will promote healthy discussion.

Rejoicing in Christ,
Caleb

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

LP Missions Trip Days 2-3



I couldn't be more proud of the group that we have down here at King's Domain! Everyone if serving faithfully, despite challenging circumstances, in the pattern that our Lord gave us with joyful hearts! Monday was a training day our crew got to experience meal prep and cleanup for the first time. They had workshops for the students to learn how to be a part of their drama presentations and their worship sets. In the afternoon some of the people went to the high ropes course and some went to play paintball. I was told that our students were very brave on the high ropes course and that Paul Hartman swung like a monkey from tree to tree! Monday night we were treated to a trial run of the Drama: Rhythm Town. Tuesday we prepared with great expectation for the arrival of the "City Cure" kids from Cinci. Bob Badeau left at 7am to take the bus with some counselors to pick the kids up. Despite getting lost, they arrived back at camp at 11am with a bus load of kids! I believe that there are about 80 inner-city kids here for the week! We formed a massive gauntlet line to receive them and they came running through to high energy music. In the afternoon they played in the pool and went rafting. Our crew was busy cleaning and prepping for the western dinner party. The dinner party went from 5-7pm and was filled with fun carnival games. The kids had a great time and it was a good relationship building experience. Then in the late evening they were treated to the first act of Rhythm town. In this act the main character was waiting for his dancing shoes that the mayor of rhythm town would give him, but he got impatient and stole some money to get some shoes. It is a picture of someone not wanting to wait for what God has for them and trying to be happy in other things--going their own way. The leaders went back and had small group time and talked about sin and our bent to go away form God. The video that you will see at the end of the show goes back to Sunday night. The student were coming up with skits to demonstrate the rules. I hope to have a better system soon of uploading more video of the week’s events. Please pray that God will open the hearts of the dear inner-city children we have for the week. Also, pray for strength for our group--they are tired but they have not lost heart!

2 Corinthians 4:1-2 Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart, but we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness or adulterating the word of God, but by the manifestation of truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.NASB95

Monday, June 25, 2007

LP Missions Trip 07 Day 1: The Trip and Opening Night



Thanks for your prayers!
The Lord gave us a wonderfully uneventful trip down! We had a blast fellowshipping, singing, hearing a devotion from Don on the last words of Christ on the earth, watching Swiss family Robinson, and just enjoying each others company. The first night and all of today (Monday) is training time. Our team is learning how to hype the week for the campers, and learning the proper procedure for things. Last night we had a great time of worship in song together. Today they had a session on understanding Urban people and now everyone is out on the ropes course or paintballing. I would have had some pics form that, but I got rained out. Hopefully more pics of this stuf later. We continue to prepare our hearts to reach out the Cinci youth who will becoming tomorrow! Keep us in your prayers! More later.

Caleb

Saturday, June 23, 2007

LP Summer Missions Trip 07

Tommorow we will embark upon a most excellent adventure. Our destination: King’s Domain--a camp designed to reach out to inner-city Cincinnati Youth. We plan also to help a church do some canvassing in Cinci and to visit the AIG Museum. Today we polished our bus as it has never been polished before. All our bags are packed and we are not leaving on a jet plane. Our coach bus, however we trust by God's grace, will carry us safely and comfortably to our destination. We are bringing 4 teens, 11 adults and 3 kids. We hope to keep this blog updated with pictures and notes from the trip. Please be in pray for us that God will open a door for the gospel for us and that we will be bold to speak the truth in love and clarity. Pray that our team will grow in unity, harmony and Christian fellowship. Pray that the God will give us a new passion to make disciples around the globe. Pray for our safety and enjoyment. We carry with us the heart of Bethel Baptist Church and we hope the heart of Christ Jesus! May God be glorified, saints be sanctified and satisfied, and unbelievers be converted!