CAMP NEWS January 2013 “You will go out in Joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst in to song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.” Isaiah 55:12 The above verse was lived out during the four weeks of camp in January 2013 at Camp Brittney. As the children and teenagers came to camp each week, they ran down the hill excited to be at a place that would show them love, comfort, laughter, nourishment, peace, and essentially God’s amazing love. When you read the verse above it says, “The mountains and hills will burst in to song before you…” Mountains and hills surround Camp Brittney which is located in a valley in Atenas, Costa Rica. Day to day at camp you are surrounded by sounds that would make a perfect song. You have the children laughing, cheering and talking which warms your heart; making you aware of God’s strong presence. It is like the mountains and hills are hugging all the children letting them feel His joy and love. As the week continues, the noise becomes louder and you know that children and teenagers are forever being changed. “…and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.” As God has given each staff member a love to disciple and listen to the camper’s personal story, the children can feel the love of God through the staff. This part of the verse symbolizes the lives of the children and teenagers that are changing day to day. For God is clapping His hands as one child moves closer to Him. From the one-‐on-‐one discipleship each child is shown, through the skits that the staff creates about everyday life situations and making choices God would have for them, to the songs and devotions they learn; all are little pieces that bring the joy of God into the campers’ lives. We clap and rejoice as one child’s life is forever changed; but we rejoice louder as a seed is planted in every child and teenager that attends camp. A seed that tells them that God loves them and has great plans for their lives! It is not uncommon for the children and teenagers that attend camp to be use to only one meal a day, no bed to sleep on, no running water and no encouragement in their home. That is what Camp Brittney provides: three meals a day, a bed to sleep on, running water and encouragement while the campers are at camp. During the month of January 2013, Camp Brittney hosted four weeks of camp with 264 children and teenagers attending ranging in ages from 7-‐18. Out of the 264 campers, 182 accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior! One of the Camp Brittney staff members described the last night of camp and the feeling you feel while watching the children and teenagers give The Brittney Strom Foundation- 3037 Old Charleston Road Saluda, SC 29138- www.campbrittney.org
their lives to Christ: “It all starts with a devotion, then a song, lastly the courage to step out and walk towards the bonfire where they release their past and start fresh in their walk with Christ. You can hear the tears, see the hugs from child to child, and feel the gentle breeze that comes over you that lets you know that God is present at that very moment.” God is so good! As the last day of camp approaches, the camper leaves a different person. As Isaiah 55:12 says, “You will go out in Joy…” That is actually what the children and teenagers do. They go out with joy; knowing they are loved, they have people that are praying for them who want to see them succeed in life and are there for them. “…And be led forth in peace…” Camp Brittney also is home to The Strom Bible Institute whose students go out and disciple children and teenagers that attended camp. So when the camper leaves camp they are not alone; there will always be someone from Camp Brittney to help them in their walk w ith God. They also reach out to other children and teenagers that have not attended camp as well. If you would like to be part of Camp Brittney and help raise up the next generation to follow Christ and know that they are loved, the following is ways you can be a part:
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Prayer: First and foremost, pray for the children and teenagers of Costa Rica. Also pray for the Camp Brittney ministry team, the completion of the mission house, and financial support of the Brittney Strom Foundation.
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Sponsor a Camper: The cost to sponsor a camper for one week is $42.50. This price includes their transportation to and from camp on Monday and Friday, three meals a day, lodging and most importantly an outpouring of God’s love from our staff. You can send support in two different ways either by check (marked for Sponsor Campers) to: The Brittney Strom Foundation-‐ 3037 Old Charleston Road Saluda, South Carolina 29138 or by credit card at www.campbrittney.org under the “Donate” tab.
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Support the Brittney Strom Foundation: Funds to continue reaching and providing programs and camps for the children, teenagers and adults of Costa Rica. You can support the foundation the same w ay as above. Please check General fund when making your donation.
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Be part of a Mission Trip: If you are interested in going on a mission trip and serving at Camp Brittney, e-‐mail Dayna Bledsoe at daynabledsoe.campbrittney.org for more information. Or please visit our website at www.campbrittney.org.
In Her memory for His name … we are going to change one life at a time. Thank you so much for all of your support. If you would like to receive updated newsletters by email, please send your email address to laurenblack@campbrittney.org.
The Brittney Strom Foundation- 3037 Old Charleston Road Saluda, SC 29138- www.campbrittney.org