Ordinary Paradise
With a final knot, the volleyball net was set, strung from a metal post to a mango tree. On a hill above black volcanic rocks and teal coral reefs, flowering trees, stately palms, and crashing waves add to the beauty of the scene.
The island of Saint Vincent is without a doubt a masterpiece of God’s handiwork. But it’s not all sandals and coconuts. The setting is extraordinarily beautiful, but the human struggles of life in the Caribbean are startlingly ordinary: broken homes, financial problems, addictions, poverty, cancer, death, sin abounding in its natural habitat of human hearts.
A Developing Ministry
This is why the team in Saint Vincent is eager to develop their camp program, which has actually been going for many years. The camp has been run out of a Bible college facility, and about 2 years ago one of the pastors first connected with CampsAbroad. He felt their program has been haphazard, and the local team welcomed focused training and assistance.
As camp began, 35 campers studied Psalm 8 and reflected on how creation is a voice of God’s majesty. Considering the heavens and the expansive view from camp to see what God can do with just a few words. That’s our God.
As the week progressed, campers became livelier. They warmed up to the activities, and the program continued smoothly. Several of the leaders mentioned that it was considerably smoother than recent years due to the preparation and focus this year. There was a wide range of camp foods, including breadfruit from the tree behind the chapel, local bananas, mac-and-cheese, spaghetti, Caribbean-style chicken, and, of course, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
Gospel Needs
Toward the end of camp, one young man expressed how glad he was that he had come. His counselor, also a pastor, shared that he had been praying for an opportunity to talk with this camper, since he had been resistant to spiritual conversations. The Lord answered that prayer. Though this young man did not make a decision for Christ before the end of camp, he knows he’s not a believer, and the counselor had an opportunity to share the gospel clearly with him.
Pray for the youth in Saint Vincent and those serving them as God uses willing servants to share His Truth with sinners in need of a Savior.
Be part