Today was the last day of camp! It is sad but also happy because we have all made new friendships and have built on old ones. During the thankful devo and ring of honor, I learned that some people didn't want to come at first. Yet, once they arrived, they made great new friends and had a wonderful time. They also said that they learned a lot about God and got closer to him through this camp experience. A lot of the people from Africa expressed their gratitude for the U.S. people that came. I know that it encouraged all of us. We all came here to play a role in helping this camp, and we all did our jobs.

                                                                  -Rachel Thomas

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This week at camp has been amazing. I am so thankful to God for the friendships I have made. I really did not want to leave to be honest. But I know I will remember this week for the rest of my life.  I pray that I will always remember the things I have learned because This experience was a gift from God. America, you need to get ready because I am coming back with a new take on life and I plan on sharing it.
Love,
Cassie :)
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Good morning!
Today is our last morning at the camp in Johannesburg. :(
The title if this blog is all southern because campers here have spent the week trying to copy our southern accent. How ironic since in America we always want a different accent.
I can not describe how much this camp has made a impact on me. The love and kindness that the South Africans have showed us has amazed me on a daily basis. From the second we arrived here we have been given above and beyond. Our host family and the church have taken such good care of us. I've really felt spoiled by the hospitality. Then once we finally got to the camp the campers where some of the nicest kids I have ever met. You could sit at a random table and within 5 minutes you would have a new best friend.
Jeff taught a lesson the other night about being a light, and how we can sometimes let parts of our heart go back into the darkness. Before this trip some parts of my heart had grown dark and hard...not anymore. The love I have felt here, the joy I see on the campers face, and the way God has blessed ever part of this trip has fixed every dark part of me. Africa really has brought me so much joy. I can't thank God enough of giving me this chance.
ALSO HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY AMAZING MOTHER!!!! I LOVE YOU!
Love, Adrienne Hames

Greetings from South Africa
I would just like to take the time to thank God for this opportunity he gave us to be able to have befriended so many Americans. I personally have learned so much spiritually in the past week. Thank you so much to Jeff, Mrs. Jen, uncle Rodwell and aunty Osyilia you were amazing.
To God be the glory.
Love Chet
By
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I have had the privelage to counsel the oldest girls (17-18 years old) on this trip, and to be honest, two days ago I might not have started off my sentence so positively. More than half of my girls didn't want to be here and it showed in their attitude. I've never had to persevere so hard with patience and being excited for the girls I was given. Last night I went to bed wondering if any impact would be left on the girls' hearts before they left. This morning, however, I can truly say I feel blessed. God revealed the work he's been doing on all of my girls' hearts since they've arrived 2 days ago. We had our thankful devotional this morning when everyone stands in front of the entire camp to express their gratitude verbally and publicly. As I expected, none of my girls got up to get in line. However, half way through, 3 of my campers got into line and wept about how they never wanted to come but they've had the best week of their life. Around me the rest of my girls cried out of the gratitude that was flowing from their hearts even though they didn't verbally express it. My heart is so excited right now by God's power and I was so moved to share it with you. I can't wait to share with you what will come of the next day and a half left now that God has torn down the walls of the older campers hearts.  

Miss you all!
Love from Africa,
Kelsey Chase

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Hey this is Braxton, and today is Friday and a lot of us aren't looking forward to going home (sorry family).  We had the grateful devo today and there wasn't really a dry eye in the room because everyone felt so connected that talking about how grateful we were for our new friendships that it hurt to know that we might not see everyone again, at least that's how it was for me.  I personally have made such an amazing time and I've felt so blessed that even the gift of the friendships that I've made has been enough to last me so many years.  To God be the glory.
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This afternoon my fever broke and besides the weak and wobbly knees I feel much better. Other than the two hour nap the doctor made me take today I haven't missed much...especially since I felt alive again today.  Thanks for your prayers.

And what a day to be alive.  We had so many challenges. Boys 8 beat Girls 1 in limbo.  What?!  We had a Flamingo challenge and a girl stood just over an hour on one leg to take the win. Wow, now that is determination! We also inducted 5 new victims, I mean people to the Chief Mau Mau club tonight.  Ha ha so funny.

We have also had our hearts moved as we heard several kids speak about the changes that have taken place in their lives in the past year. We had an all camp devotional about darkness (psalm 107 and 112) and several boys were moved.  The lights go out frequently here where the camp is and they went out for some time tonight, in fact we ate by candlelight. It was also raining and there were no stars out so we had a darkness devo instead of a starlight devo.

Tomorrow we head into our final day and the thankful devo, the cross study, and the ring honor are awaiting the kids all followed by a great dance party. Please continue to pray for no more sickness, safety and more hearts and characters to change.

Much love, Jeff

Ps. Have I mentioned how amazing the food has been. Wow! That's all I can say.

Pss. Feel free to comment on any blog entry as I share those with the kids.

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I'm only human. This phrase has never made much sense. People always seem to use this phrase when they severely messed up. This however is not the case for the women of girls five. We've realized together that though we are only human, God has brought us all together for a great purpose. Though we all come from different places and even speak different languages, our loud voices and crazy spirits have brought us together as one sisterhood. To God be the glory.
Girls Five
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I really like it here! The countryside is so beautiful, there is usually a breeze, and it is so peaceful. Last night we had our singing devotional around a big bonfire underneath the stars. I tried to drink it all in - that I was singing to God with 250 people in Africa. More than I could've ever asked or imagined. As happens on every trip, I have fallen in love with the people here.  The African kids are so polite and respectful. The adults are working hard in service - where are the teen workers when you need them?

The people here are in many ways tougher than we are - because their lives are tougher than ours. Their trust in God through their challenging circumstances is convicting. All (except Jeff) are doing well. Your kids are amazing and I am proud of each one.
Jennifer

Today is the third day of our journey at camp. In  3 days I have seen something only God has created. The 12-13 year girls in my team have gone from strangers to inseparable friends over night, quite literally. I have heard singing in over five languages  the past two days. I have witnessed what I believe they call "impossible" in the world. These are the things I look forward to experiencing in heaven: complete unity from around the world. Peace and love
Jessica Smith from Columbia
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A day and a half in and already the stories are coming in: one girl, after hearing her the first Bible class, found her teen leader and confessed her sin, another girl asked her counselor to study the Bible, an older boy when asked why he came to camp honestly stated because "his parents made him," had a great conversation with his counselor, one of the counselors is so moved by the flow and atmosphere of camp he commented at length on the way it is impacting the kids, and I am expecting more to come.

Please pray for me as I have had a fever since Tuesday evening topping out at 104.2 last night. I am functioning but weak. The doctor is a great help and the way camp is going is motivating me to push on. Please to continue to pray for more amazing stories from the campers.

Much love, Jeff
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