Last Day, Great Day

Throughout the week at Champs Camp we have seen God work in the lives of so many children (and their parents). We have had the privilege of loving children who attend churches all over the valley and many children who do not attend any church. We had families from different religions and many denominations take part in Champs Camp. We are so thankful for the outreach to the community and for the opportunity for churches in Harlingen to come together.

We were blessed to see many children trust Christ as their Savior by the end of the week. Their lives have been changed forever as a result of all the love and labor poured into Champs Camp. One girl prayed to accept Christ as her savior on Thursday morning as her mother drove her to FBC; they prayed in the car and by the time she arrived, she was a new person in Christ. What a privilege to share Jesus with these great kids and their families.

Thursday night was a great and glorious night - a little LOUD, but it was great. We were in "standing room only" mode, but the many parents who attended were gracious and patient. The children revealed to us how much fun they have had this week, and our "Champions in Christ" were revealed to us as well. So many children dedicated their hearts and minds to Christ and will be his mighty champions at school and at home.

Please continue to pray for our "Champions" as they re-enter their schools this next week. Please pray for our volunteers, deacons and staff as the follow-up now begins. Please pray for the families that were challenged in their faith this past week. Pray that as they have been challenged and as the first Sunday after Champs Camp is Easter that God will bring many of those families into a closer walk with Christ during this time of year that we focus on Christ and God's love for us.

Thank you for serving in and praying for Champs Camp. It was a GREAT WEEK!

Challenged to be a Champion,
Bro. Wade

First Day - Great Day

The first day of Champs Camp was great; a little windy, but great. We had a few hurdles on the first day, but over all it was a really good day. The numbers were good. 426 children and 0 trips to the hospital. We had to move some of the sports inside because of the high winds, but we were able to see the children enjoy themselves throughout the day.

We were able to see children who did not want to leave their parents tell us at the end of the day how they could not wait for tomorrow to come so they could return to Champs Camp. So many children experiencing the Love of God was quite an overwhelming vision. Seeing the lives of these children change so quickly is our goal; and our goal was truly met on the first day of Champs Camp.

We are so grateful for all the college students and leaders that God has sent as missionaries to the valley, they truly love the Lord and are vessels of his love and grace. Thank you for praying for them. Our many members and friends who are serving in Champs Camp are truly the light of the world. Watching our people hold the doors, direct traffic, cook, serve the meals, clean the rooms, and find ways to love the children in the midst of their busyness, are all ways that we can truly see God in our midst. Thank you for prayer walking and continuing to support our front line soldiers through prayer.

May God richly bless the remainder of the week of CHAMPS CAMP.

Grateful to all who serve,
Bro. Wade

Direction in Life

My six year old son, Aaron, was riding in my truck recently. As we were driving down the road, Aaron made a strange statement to me. He said, "Dad, you and Mom need to get rid of those clickers." "What clickers?" He said, "You know the clickers in your truck and Mom's van." I had to think, what is he talking about? "What clickers?" I asked. His reply was confusing, "You know, those clickers that tell you which way you have to turn." I said, "do you mean the turn signal?" He said, that thing that clicks and tells you which way you have to turn. I then told him that the turn signal did not tell me which way to turn, but that I moved the lever to signal which way I had chose to go. He then looked at me a while and then said, "Naw, that's not right."

Aaron had wanted to go to McDonald's for lunch and when the "clicker" told us we had to go home, he was not happy. He was convinced that I would have taken him to McDonald's if I had control of the truck. It makes since, I love him and want the best for him and since he defined what was best for him as McDonald's then I surely would have taken him there if I could have. So, I must not really have control of the car, that clicker must be telling me what to do.

I believe that sometimes we portray this same image on God. We have decided what is best for us and then believe that God would have surely done for us what we wanted if he were in complete control of our situation. So when it does not work out the way we thought we begin to believe that our circumstances dictated what God could do, or we doubt that God really cares, or we just begin to worry and stress out because are not sure why it did not go as we expected.

Just like a six year old boy, we can sometimes develop a skewed way of thinking about things and then assume that we have to be right because of our opinion and logic. But, just like Aaron, we could be very wrong and refuse to believe the truth, because we already have it figured out.

Also, the question has to be asked; who is in control of your life? Does the Lord control your clicker, or do the circumstances of life dictate to you what you must do and where you must go? Who has control of your life?

May you never look at your "clicker" the same again.
Bro. Wade