meet some campers

I would like to introduce you to three campers from this past week. Because there is still (and always will be) traces of a teacher in me I am going to grant unto them pseudonyms. I am not afraid of lawsuits or offended parents (since most of them will never read this), but for the sake of the children. I want to share just a brief tidbit about them, and then encourage all of us to pray for children such as these.

I am going to start with the "Dynamic Duo." I'll even call them Batman and Robin. Robin is the sidekick sitting on the left side of the picture below. He came with his mother who is a living testament to the transforming power of the gospel. She came to camp three years prior as a Hindu woman wanting nothing to do with Jesus Christ. God chose to ignore that (as He always does) by saving her, leading her into baptism, and now sharing her testimony with everyone she meets. Her son used to be unable to sit up and hold his neck in his own strength. His mental capacity was also next to nothing. As you can see, God is working His might through this boy. He even is able to walk with the help of others holding him up. But the best part is seeing his face light up when Batman enters the room. They have attended camp together for the past three years, and Robin is able to call out a something close to Batman's name. It made all the counselors laugh with joy bringing a huge smile to his mother's face.

Batman is definitely the leader of the duo. He pushes Robin around in his wheelchair, and he would do it all day long if he had to. Batman came with his younger sister who does most of the caring for him. She is a smart young girl who was forced to leave school in order to help support her parents. She came to know Christ at the camp, which was an absolute joy to share in. Batman has a real heart to serve. He wants everyone to experience all the good things going on at camp so he takes the initiative of finding any who might be wandering around. He laughs when you talk to him as he rubs his hands together in excitement. Like Batman, he doesn't like when people talk about him. During testimonies, he left when his sister shared about her week at camp. The Dynamic Duo ate nearly every meal together while the week progressed, and they were a frequent topic of conversation for those of us blessed to work with them. Please pray for these two boys to be able to spend time together between now and next year. The distance is about 1 hour, but the fruit of seeing them together is beautiful. Pray also for their continued healing as they grow.

I'm going to call our next camper Longing. Longing was a true blessing from God for all of us helping at camp this week. She suffers from a rather slight case of MR. You would only know if you saw her close up. She speaks very well and can understand most of what it taught to her. She is always smiling despite her family background. She would love to go to church every week, but her parents will not allow it. She prays everyday for the opportunity, but has yet to find a way to get there. By the middle of the week, she emphatically expressed her deep desire to read God's Word. Since church is not an option, she wants to be able to grow. The doctor on Wednesday applauded her for this desire. He said many Christians do not share in a longing for God's Word as she does. He told her how blessed she was and thankful we all are for hearing her heart's desire. The problem is her inability to read. As she shared her testimony on Friday she wept at the thought of leaving without the ability to read the Bible. The LCMI team purchased a Bible for her in Telugu in an expression of faith. Our faith was not in this little girl, but God's Spirit to reward her for such a request. As Solomon was granted more than just wisdom when he asked for that above all else, we pray God would grant her knowledge of Himself by enabling her to read and study His Word. Please pray for Longing as she lives out her desire. Pray for people to come along who can teach her how to read. Pray for the ability to attend church without punishment from her parents. Continue to pray for her healing and that her testimony would be a witness to her family and friends.