Today the campers used the obstacle courses we built for the first time. Everything turned out very well. They got frustrated at some points, but that's the way team building exercises go. In the end, they had a great time, got dirty, and built community with each other. That sense of closeness helps them to be open with their tent leaders and other kids at camp.
We tried to tie in spiritual message when we could. On one part of the ropes course, they are all tied together and attached to a rope that winds around trees and over obstacles. The whole team must follow the rope through everything. At the end of the course the rope was attached 25 feet up a tree trunk. We designed it so that it was impossible for them to do. When they started complaining that there was no way they could do it we explained that it is an illustration for our lives. Although there are many difficult things we can get through, there is no way we can be reconciled to God and live a perfect life. It is impossible. However, Christ came to earth and did what was impossible for us (lived a perfect life) and paid the penalty for our sin on the cross. God treated Christ as if He had lived our lives and, for those who respond to Him in faith, He treats them as if they had lived Christ's life. Hopefully it will help get through to some of the campers. I was told that of the 52 campers here, 20 of them are not believers. They have already had several chances to hear the gospel. Please pray that they would listen carefully and that they would respond this week. The camp director, Vadim, shared his testimony tonight at the meeting. He 
actually came to Christ at this very camp about 9 years ago. It was a very powerful picture of how God may use the kids at this camp in the future. Tomorrow night someone from our team will share their story. Please pray that it translates clearly and connects with the campers.
We tried to tie in spiritual message when we could. On one part of the ropes course, they are all tied together and attached to a rope that winds around trees and over obstacles. The whole team must follow the rope through everything. At the end of the course the rope was attached 25 feet up a tree trunk. We designed it so that it was impossible for them to do. When they started complaining that there was no way they could do it we explained that it is an illustration for our lives. Although there are many difficult things we can get through, there is no way we can be reconciled to God and live a perfect life. It is impossible. However, Christ came to earth and did what was impossible for us (lived a perfect life) and paid the penalty for our sin on the cross. God treated Christ as if He had lived our lives and, for those who respond to Him in faith, He treats them as if they had lived Christ's life. Hopefully it will help get through to some of the campers. I was told that of the 52 campers here, 20 of them are not believers. They have already had several chances to hear the gospel. Please pray that they would listen carefully and that they would respond this week. The camp director, Vadim, shared his testimony tonight at the meeting. He 
actually came to Christ at this very camp about 9 years ago. It was a very powerful picture of how God may use the kids at this camp in the future. Tomorrow night someone from our team will share their story. Please pray that it translates clearly and connects with the campers. 
1 comment:
Hey Dan,
All the team building stuff you guys are doing makes me think of Camp Harlow. I know I watched so many kids lives changed there. I can't wait to hear about what does God with the Russian kids! I'll be praying that every one of those 20 kids who aren't saved will come to know Jesus.
To God be the Glory!
Post a Comment