On more than one occasion, we have tried VBS in the past, but it does not work well in this culture. Instead, we have a four-day annual retreat called “Kids’ Camp.” It runs from Thursday through Sunday. It was held two weeks ago at the Lar Mana orphanage spacious site on the city’s edge.

This year´s event saw seventy kids (ages six through twelve) learn about the theme of “Seeking the Lord.” That sounds like a handful and certainly is, but thankfully, a team of thirty-five church members led by Bio and Dayse Gomes managed the challenges well. Many of these children do not come from Christian homes.

The following weekend was our annual four-day “Teen Camp” (ages thirteen through eighteen). Joshua started this twenty-four years ago when he was a teenager. This year, there were eighty-five teen campers, twenty-nine of whom were first-timers. Two dozen church members, led by two deacons, Marcio and Caike, coordinated the activities. They studied the Biblical theme of “From Death to Life.”

Three baptisms took place during the event. These were very special moments. All around the pool, the campers watched these three young people make this crucial decision. We could see on their faces that they were all touched by it.

It is our prayer that these young people learn of their Creator so that they can build their lives on the firm foundation He offers.