Dear Partner,
All I can say is WOW! I have been at Hiawatha for the past 2 weeks and that is the first word that comes to my mind. It has been incredible to see God’s Spirit moving in the lives of the campers and staff. I sat and watched in amazement as the Junior Campers sang (or screamed) the books of the Bible, recited 6 memory verses word for word, sang numerous songs, and pledged to “Be Brave” for the Lord when they returned home. You would assume by the end of the week they would lose their enthusiasm, but no! It increased as the week came to an end.
Teen week 2 started off with a challenge for the campers to be “Made for More.” Each day they were given a task to change, give up, speak up, stand up, be prepared for battle, knowing the Lord has big things for their lives and they needed to ready. All this led to an incredible lakeside service where several kids took the next step in their faith and were baptized. I sat on the shore with tears in my eyes as kids came up out of the water changed, with everyone cheering them on. I can’t even put in words the emotions of that morning. The last service our speaker Dan had the staff at the front available for the campers to come and have them pray over them as they returned home. It was incredible listening to all the prayers being sent to the throne of heaven.
My favorite part is watching the staff lead and love on the campers. In a world where they feel so uncertain and unsure about things, we are offering a sense of peace and security and giving them a chance to know the real TRUTH.
Behind the scenes Tamra and Joy are making incredible food and loving and caring for the staff. (the rookies are learning how a kitchen is to be run with Joy on their heels!) We are grateful to have the Hibbard’s back with us this summer, with Pam on dessert duty and Don tackling maintenance tasks that are assigned.
The summer has not come without its challenges. The staff is tired, and some are not feeling well, but we are asking for your prayers as we finish Teen Week 3 strong. Lives are being changed, souls being save, leaders are being created, warriors are being equipped, faith is being renewed, hope is being restored…….God is moving! None of this is possible without the support of our Hiawatha family. Thank you so much for believing in this incredible ministry.
In Jesus name we are Pressing On,
Lora Walker