May Update

Dear Family and Friends,

Last month as spring arrived I was reminded of the new life that only God can bring, not simply to the budding trees and blooming flowers, but also to the lives of people in this community.

During spring break we ran a week-long day camp for kids from the local neighborhood. With the help of an amazing volunteer group from Texas we worked with 34 youth in grades 1-8 throughout the week.

Our theme for the week was FEARLESS, based on Isaiah 41:10 which says, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (ESV)

Each day we focused on a different character from the Bible who showed great courage as he or she trusted in God. The kids were excited to learn about Noah, Esther, Daniel, and Jonah, but the best story came on our final day when we shared about Jesus.

It was great to have every child involved, but for me it was even more exciting to see a Muslim family and a family of Jehovah’s Witnesses allowing their children to join in on our program. All of the children from both families listened carefully during the week, but two of the older boys showed an especially intense interest in the Bible lessons and asked tons of questions all week long. They were obviously struggling with determining what was true and what to believe. It was almost as if I could see new life being offered to them as God used those lessons to challenge what they had heard in the past and opened up their young minds to the Truth of the Gospel.

Next month we will begin our summer programs and plan to run similar week-long day camps for six weeks in June and July. We will again present God’s Word through daily Bible lessons and I cannot wait to see how He uses those times to present Himself to these children once again.

Serving in the City,
Bet