The first evening at Sihanoukville (Tuesday) we quickly disbursed to our rooms and then met back together for dinner (rice and soup and "other things we could not identify"…….then a team meeting. Donations from our home churches had funded the purchase of bibles in the local dialect for each of the youth attending. Our churches had also sent along personal notes and cards from home and we put one in each bible. The personal notes were provided by many at home that committed to pray for the recipient of the bible. Some youth attending actually had to borrow a bible to bring with them for the camp.

The next day (Wednesday) first day of camp) started bright and early (6:00 AM) with the sounds of the youth starting their day with enthusiastic exercise and singing, out in the parking lot.



Then after breakfast the camp kicked off with an awesome praise and worship, each of us were indeed touched by the dept of worship the youth engage in. The Spirit of God was present and moved many to tears….and yes, this is just the start of the camp! We all knew that we were in for an awesome experience.


Praise and Worship


Handing out new Bibles to the youth

Through out the morning the youth participated in several workshops. Topics include music & worship, youth evangelism, leadership in the community, sexual relationships, alcohol & drugs, and wisdom from the bible.



Workshop

After lunch the story of Joseph was presented by Ken Musick and David Howell. Mid-afternoon four buses head out for the beach. Games, sun, fun and fellowship abounded. Many attending from the inland provinces of Cambodia had never seen the sea. The wonder seen in their eyes as they tread the sand and played in the salty water was heartwarming.



Games at the beach



Having a great time at the beach

An afternoon of sun and swimming drained all the energy from our team... that is until the band struck up and the youth began to dance and shout and sing praises. The excitement of enthusiastic young people full of the Holy Spirit invigorates us all. Dr. Jack O’Dell lead the worship Wednesday night, telling his story; the story of how God began His work in Jack’s life.

Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008 - Youth Camp at Sihanoukville

Once again, our morning wakeup call is the young people dancing morning exercises out in the parking lot at 6:00 AM. Jack was a section leader gracefully leading those smooth motions in time with the high-paced music. Mandy and Ken were actually caught in the back of the pack trying their best.

Morning worship lead by Jack as he focused upon the scripture lesson on the fruits of the spirit.


Jack and John (interperter) preaching Fruits of the Spirit


Youth and their new shirts (grouped by home province)

Workshop sessions follow later in the morning. Following lunch, Mandy and Diane present the bible lesson on Ruth to a general session. Two youth stood during their talk and shared testimony about their own lives, like Ruth’s, are dependent upon being drawn into the family of God. Late afternoon, each of the groups had an opportunity to present a skit or song about some biblical truth their group had been discussing the last two days. Sidesplitting laughter filled the room as the truth of these stories was presented in such refreshing and creative ways. All groups were winners.

CAMPFIRE

The name printed in the agenda said "Campfire Night". Most of our team commented that we may "skip out" on the campfire…..thinking it would be like a campfire during a July evening in LA. How the Lord surprised us all! Of course there was singing……then a message by the Cambodian Pastors describing how Jesus is the light of the world. The message was a strong visualization of Christians in Cambodia, the source of light in a land of darkness. Then the reference to 1 Kings 38 where the Lord sent the fire. At the end of the message a fireball descended into the woodpile from the top of a nearby tree, illuminatinging the faces of these young Christians in the warm glow of Christ’s love.

Then as led by camp leaders, each youth was blindfolded for their own "faith walk" ……walking to the cross. The cross of Jesus stood up a steep rocky hilltop about 100 yards from the campfire. The youth were sent out into the darkness blindfolded on their way to Jesus. Teardrops of thanksgiving for the saving power of Jesus shown in the cross flowed like fountains of joy. The LA team served as anonymous "guides" standing in the gap along the rocky path. We were to help direct the footsteps of those that got lost or were struggling.





Each youth was met at the foot of the cross individually by a local pastor who removed the blindfold to reveal the light of Jesus in the cross, and to lay on hands and pray a blessing upon them.





After this deep spiritual experience, the youth again gathered around the fire for a long night of happy dancing and singing….celebrating the Good News of our Lord.