A few months ago, our church council decided not to hold VBS (Vacation Bible School) this year due to the small attendance last year and also we felt that we didn’t want to compete with our neighborhood churches. Our thought is that we are all here doing God’s work so why not have a different activity to get older kids involved. Plus, VBS is generally for grades 1-6th, and so we wanted to outreach to the older kids; the pre-teenagers!!! God had worked on my hubby’s heart and the rest of our council to do some hands on discipleship and to continue on building relationships with our neighbors. So, we came up with a basketball camp and Sichan volunteered to organize it. God has certainly been moving into our heart about this since last year. It’s funny because after last year’s VBS, the coordinator came up to Sichan and I and stated that she felt that God was calling us to do VBS or an alternative next year. We had been praying about it for over 6 months, even started on planning for one but we never got together with our pastor and children’s ministry leader to discuss it due to the different busy schedules we all have. Sichan and I knew that God wanted us to change our VBS format but 6 months ago, we didn’t know how. Then, one discussion from finding locations for Share the Rock ministry to play basketball during this upcoming school term in our council meeting, God opened the doors and gave us the idea to host a basketball camp.
I’m so proud of my hubby because he allowed God to work in him and by being obedient to His calling and leading this camp, God is continuely amazing us with all the preparations for this camp. For instance, through 1 banner that we put up, we almost have 30 registrations not including our own kids from church who have yet to register. Every time, I get a call regarding registration, I want to cry cuz’ to see our neighborhood so receptive to a basketball camp, it’s truly amazing!!! Also, God has been working into various people’s hearts to work on the parking lot to see them work numerous hours to get it done just wows me, especially with our pastor since he’s been sick with a bad cold and every day he’s out there working on parking lot. Steven worked our flyers and they turned out great!!! God also gave us windy weather the day we canvassed the neighborhood and we praise Him for that since it would be unpleasant for us if it was in our regular 110 degrees. While others, volunteer their ideas and time with coaching, teaching, praying, donating items for prizes, and even taking charge of all the food for the camp, I’m in awe and yet at the same time so thankful to putting so much time and effort to making this a success!!!!
So, here are some items that you can pray for us:
1. team unity with all the workers (coaches, teachers, helpers in the kitchen, etc).
2. Pray for Sichan, Daniel, and others as they are healing from their colds/flu’s. Pray also for our general health for the kids and the workers that we will all be healthy.
3. Pray for opportunities to build a relationship with the kids and be able to share the Gospel with them.
4. Pray also for our witness to the kids and their parents/guardians.
5. Pray that God would continue to move into our hearts to help out with the camp in various ways. We are still in need of workers, teachers, donations for prizes.
6. Pray for Sichan as he’s leading the banquet night on the 24th.
I’m sure that there’s a lot more that we can pray about for this camp but I can’t think of them right now. Thanks for all your prayers!
