Summer Camps

Camps are used world-wide to reach kids for Christ. There’s something about being away from home
and out of your routine that opens doors for people. I enjoy the Narnia movies. In the first movie, the
children are out in the country and away from their parents. Great things happen to them and in them.
I like summer camps for the same reason. This year we did two camps. We did three days with the
young soccer team…40 kids. Then we did a full week with the brass band…30 young people. Every day
begins with devotions, and every day ends with devotions. There’s something about being together
around the Word early in the morning and then late at night with the same people day after day. God
works.
This year we studied the Hebrew Tabernacle in both camps. The Tabernacle, like the whole of the Law,
prepares us for Salvation, the Salvation that comes from Christ alone. We see shadows of Christ and His
work all over the Tabernacle. There was one door. Jesus said, “I am the Door.” There was an alter for
sacrifices. Jesus is The Sacrifice. There was a table for bread. Jesus is the Bread of Life. There was a lamp
for light. Jesus is the Light of the world. The shadows go on and on. How could an ancient tent be so full
of images of something that didn’t happen until centuries later? God.
The soccer camp was largely successful. Kids began asking great questions after a day or two of study.
They also benefited from two special teachers we invited to speak with them and work with them
concerning soccer training and techniques. I deferred much of this camp to our team’s director and
coach, Judes. He did a great job. A few little technical things were trouble, but we took notes and will fix
those things for a future camp.
The band camp was successful as well. This was our third annual camp. Our focus this year was on music
theory and lots of rehearsals. A music teacher from Cayes, Suzie, taught the musicians all about major
scales. The players can build all the major scales now, and are on their way to playing them as well. The
schedule really drained the campers. By week end, they were dragging. Our traditional program on the
last night that usually goes all night long didn’t last much past midnight. We learned a big list of new
songs and got better as group. On the Sunday after the camp, we played for a special service at a church
up in the mountains of Labaleine. We offered three brand new songs, two of which were great. The
third brought us back to earth. Still work to do. 
I am thankful that ASAPH Teaching Ministry provides me with funds to realize these camps. The bring
people together (and that’s saying something on this naturally divisive island of Haiti). They bring people
closer to God. They are a blessing. Kids look back to the camp all year long and tell stories. They also
look ahead to next year’s camp.
Thanks, ASAPH sponsors, for making this ministry possible !