Tuesday, August 26, 2008

update on knee testimony

Today I spoke with Mike about his knee.
Prior to the camp week he had a knee schedule. Dr.'s wanted to completely replace his ACL.
Prior to the camp he believed that he would be healed.
We prayed for the knee. He felt better.
Prior to the week he needed to wear a brace daily to be able to function and limit the pain.
Mike has not worn the brace since that night.
They've cancelled the surgery!

Saturday, August 9, 2008

Report and stories

Thanks again for your prayer support! Here's a very long, but interesting report.

Quick Report:

We were thrilled to see a good number of first time salvation and rededication decisions the first night!

The following morning quite a few people were baptized in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues.

During the week more than a dozen made decisions to be water baptized when they get home.

Among the youth groups represented we saw great unity and no major problems.

We saw a number of people healed.

I can say that this was one of the few youth camps I've attended where I've seen definite miracles in a short amount of time.

The evening sessions went great, as did our session with the youth leaders.

The two Sunday mornings went great! We felt that God gave the right word at the right time. We were so very blessed to enjoy these churches.

It's hard to express how blessed we were to spend time with so many friends - our family in the kingdom.

Testimonies – 08 HOP camp

As promised, you will find here stories of changed lives from the camp. I have chosen to quote them directly as often as I could. If you choose to not read them all – I’ve included a quick note at the end.

14 year old boy. He said that during worship, he talked to God for the first time. Asked God, “What do you want me to do?” God said, “Lift up my name.” He said, “What does that mean?” God said, “Go home. Spread the word.” I know that I’m supposed to tell the people I know at my school and in my neighborhood about what Jesus has done in me.

Chris 16 year old boy. Had a bad experience at a camp when he was 11, and had not been to another camp until now. Had experimented with the occult for a couple years. Had come back to Christ a couple years back, but had continued to struggle with giving up occultic things. He had been slowing giving up more and more. This week he finally found complete release. Talking to him, he was a completely different person from the beginning of the week.

Jennifer in her early twenties. She had been abusing drugs and alcohol with her boyfriend. She said that she had no guidance in her life. The first night she rededicated her life to Christ. “I’ve felt lost and confused. This is the first week I’ve had peace within. Now I feel purpose for my life.”

Cody ending high school. “Now I have purpose in life. I’m going to teach. This week I really feel like I spiritually matured.”

Hannah in high school. She had been diagnosed with depression. She had been freed from needing medication before camp. Her mom had been in and out of the hospital with depression. At camp, Hannah really prayed for her mom for the first time. She said, “I believe that mom will be free”.

Teenage boy said, “I was saved four years ago, but I’ve struggled with habits. After prayer this week, I know now that I can trust the Lord.”

Teenage boy said that he rededicated his life to the Lord this week and was baptized in the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues. He said, “God talked to me and told me, ‘go to your school and save as many as you can.’”

Teenage boy said that during the prayer time, “God told me to go into the earth and preach”.

Teenage girl said that God healed deep hurts this week, and that she now has a heart for the lost for the first time.

Mike, early twenties, said that his dad had been a youth leader, but the church fell apart. Ever since he’s been struggling with his faith. This week he got back on track and was praying and reading his Bible.

Heather, teenage girl, came to camp just to please her friends. She said that she came with a “heavy heart”. She said that this week she was healed and had joy in her heart. This fall she’s going to public school for the first time and plans to witness.

College age guy that almost had not come at all. He said, “the last night I finally got it – the greatest weapon the enemy has against you is yourself. I was intimidated when Ben asked us to write down the name of someone to share our faith with. During prayer I had a vision. God told me to sacrifice myself for Him daily.”

Roger, a high school student originally from Barbados, for whom last year’s camp was his first experience like this. Last year he had been prophesied over and made a commitment to God, but went back to old sins. He said, “this week God showed me that I need the Bible.” He talked for quite a while about his plan to use the Bible in his daily life.

Braden, teenage boy, said that after last year’s camp he was radical for Christ for one month. This year he had a deeper work by God, plans to make a constant commitment, and challenged the youth to do the same.

Courtney, teenage girl, has asthma and for years has had attacks on most days. The first night she received prayer and had not had an attack since.

Teenage girl wanting to become a Dr., but had been having doubts. She felt that this week the Holy Spirit challenged her to work hard and seek it. She was very excited.

Star, a teenage girl whose dad is in the military said that lately it had been looking like they were going to move to Japan. She was excited. Her dad decided to not take the position. She was upset. This week she believed that God told her to share her faith with a person that she’s known for a while.

Early twenties guy who has had a difficult life said, “this week I was delivered, set free from bondage.”

15 year old boy, biggest guy out of 200, said that he was very uncomfortable coming to the camp. He thought it was going to be a “stupid kids thing with games. Someone prayed for me. I actually feel the Lord. Now I know that God cares for me and others care for me.”

Teenage girl said, “I’ve been hanging around people who don’t know the Lord. I’ve been getting quieter and quieter about Him. Now I know that I’m supposed to shout it out about God.”

One teenager originally from the Ukraine said, “last year I got saved, read my Bible for a couple days. This year I had thousands of questions. God give answers.”

Ed high school age boy said. “during worship God gave me a wake up call. ‘when you go home spread the word and start a new group with kids.’ There’s a fire burning in me. I want to thank the people who have been praying for me.”

Teenage boy said, “I feel the Spirit of God strongly.” He was filled with the Holy Spirit.

Tiffany said, “I didn’t want to come to this camp.” She rededicated her life to Lord, was baptized in the Holy Spirit, feels called to intercession, and her sister came to Christ.

Ryan said, “this week I really dug deeper. God dealt with some long nasty wounds.”

One teenage girl said that during the healing prayer she had been praying for the broken arm her mom had from a car accident. She felt the Holy Spirit challenge her to pray for something more difficult. She was praying for her mom’s “problem with food”. She said that her mom had been losing too much weight.

Amy, a 24 year old mother, came to the camp with diabetes and other medical conditions. During the week she came to Christ and really enjoyed the whole week. Her countenance was completely different at the end of the week.

“Good and upright is the Lord; therefore He instructs sinners in His ways. He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way. All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful, for those who keep the demands of His covenant.” Psalms 25:8-10

We are all either one of two people: sinner or forgiven sinner. Reading this Scripture reminded me how gracious our Savior really is. It is such a humbling experience to serve the Lord and see Him change the lives of others.

Thanks again for being faithful to pray. I hope that you’ve enjoyed reading these stories. My apologies that we don’t have a video to show, but I hope this has blessed you. Just think, you were truly a part of blessing the lives of these world changers. Please do continue to pray for them.

We love you!

Thanks,
Ben, Rebecca, Charlotte, and Gideon