We have just come back from the evangelistic Adventure English Camp, July 22nd-28th. While we were planning it and working on putting everything together I was a bit discouraged because only a few non-Christian students had registered for the camp. Many students want to get a job in the summer, and it becomes more and more difficult to get the students to a summer camp. While thinking about that a thought came to my mind that many lost students could come and leave unchanged, but if a few come and the Lord touches at least one of them it is worth all the effort. And it seems to me that this is what happened in the camp.

We thank the Lord for giving us protection and bringing us safely back home. The second mountain hike was more difficult and a girl fell twice, but the injuries were not very serious. In spite of the cold and a lot of rain, there was a good atmosphere in the camp and we had a very good time together. The volleyball, board games and the cooking together in teams helped us get to know each other better.

The studies we prepared for the camp were from John 4, about Jesus being the living water, Mark 7 about sin and 2 Corinthians 5:14-21 about reconciliation with God. We held these Bible studies in three different days. One evening we had the apologetics night when we discussed four subjects, and the students could choose two of them. The subjects were Is Truth Absolute or Relative?, Do All Religions Lead to God?, Why is There so Much Suffering in the World? , and Does Being a Good Person Get You to Heaven?. I lead the fourth discussion and we saw from the Bible that God's standard of being good is loving God with all your heart, mind and strength and your neighbor as yourself, and only the Lord Jesus Christ perfectly kept these commands. So, nobody is good but God, and our only hope of salvation is Jesus. The Lord especially used the Gospel message from Luke 18:18-30. The man speaking made it very clear that God asks from us everything that we love the most, any idol, no matter how innocent that thing may be in itself. He also made it very clear that we are not good, and we cannot do anything to inherit eternal life, salvation is impossible for man. In the end he explained what Jesus had done on the cross for us, that only through Him we can be saved, and God is calling us to repentance. The Lord powerfully used the message in our hearts and it seems that one of the lost girls was strongly convicted of sin. We praise the Lord because He worked in her, and we pray that the seed planted in her heart will bring forth fruit to salvation. We pray that she would start reading the Bible, and she would personally meet the Lord Jesus and trust only in Him for her salvation. It seems that the Lord worked in two other non-Christian students as well. They both said that the camp brought them closer to God and they realized that only through Jesus they can have a new life. May the Lord have mercy and give them true repentance and faith in Jesus.

One English activity was to act out four parables. They were The Sower, The Prodigal Son, The Good Samaritan and The Marriage Supper of the King's Son. We had a very good time preparing, and even though some parts were funny, the message of each parable clearly stood out. The team acting the parable of the Sower also shared the Gospel in the skit.

Even though this was an evangelistic camp, the Lord powerfully used the studies and the messages to challenge us believers to a life totally devoted to Him. One evening we watched the movie The Pilgrim's Progress. It was a strong reminder of the reality and seriousness of the war we are engaged in. I pray for more and more grace in the battle against Satan, the world and the flesh. I discussed with some people after watching the movie and we realized once again how important it is to help each other on our way, just as Christian and Hopeful helped each other. Also the devotionals in the mornings went in the same direction of giving all to God, clothing ourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, making no provision for the flesh, and being ready for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. There were different guys who spoke, but the Lord led most of them in the same direction.

At the end of the camp we shared our thoughts and many said that they were leaving the camp with a renewed desire to follow Christ. The following are a few of the testimonies:

I liked the Bible study from 2 Corinthians. I am more motivated to give each day to the Lord.

Teddy

I learned to be more humble and to be careful with my words.  In my approach to others, I realized I am not more special than other people. My self righteousness hindered me to clearly see God, and I prayed that the Lord would take away all the lies from my mind. We believed that our good works get us closer to God, even get us to heaven. The Pilgrim Progress movie reminded me that it is only through the blood of Jesus.

Gabi

I leave this camp thinking about priorities. I realized we can keep the traditions without having God as our priority. Am I ready to leave anything for Him?

Otniel

God's plans cannot be thwarted.

Elena

I am very grateful to the Lord for this camp because we could see His work among us in touching the unbelievers and the believers. It was a blessed time and we thank the Lord for answering our prayers! May this seed planted in these days bring forth a lot of fruit for His Glory!