Thanks for praying! Our first day of camp we had over 200 children! It is amazing to see how God provides and opens up the flood gates. 200 children can be somewhat overwhelming, while being a huge blessing all at the same time. Words alone can not express what these kids are experiencing.
Many come from squatter camps, are street kids, etc and come with spirits of loneliness, fear, anger, frustration, confusion, inadequacy, rebellion, and abandonment. They have little to no boundaries and very little consistent structure in their lives. Often times they are the primary care giver for younger siblings providing them little opportunity to just be kids. God is doing amazing things here and we are seeing the children open up, being receptive to the gospel, and able to just be kids-laughing, smiling, in a safe place, being held, being loved unconditionally, being listened to, and having fun.
Updated prayer requests: Please continue to pray for these precious little ones as we are the only Jesus they may see for a whole year. We are praying against any demonic attacks which we are experiencing. Many of the staff/volunteers are having nightmares and restless nights. This is Satan’s way of trying to get us tired and irritable. We are told this is very common occurrence here in South Africa as many of the teams previously have been attacked in the same way. We aren’t standing for it and are rebuking this in the name of Jesus! We are anointing the houses and praying against these attacks.
Also, please pray for the weather to warm up and for no rain as all of camp is outside. The past couple of days, there have been frost on the ground and today it snowed in Johannesburg (about 30 minutes away by car). It hasn’t snowed there in 20 years. Many of the children were unable to come to camp today because they didn’t have access to warm enough clothing. They opted to stay home under a blanket or near a fire. This is another way Satan is trying to attack the work here.
Upcoming ministry: Tomorrow (Thurs) I am going to Joe Slovo, one of the squatters camps nearby, after camp, and helping with the girls’ bible study after dinner (13 years and up). Friday I am doing ministry with one of the foster mom’s here at Refilwe after camp and we are doing a youth ministry activity friday night.
