There is power in the name of Jesus... to break every chain!

Good morning!!! Well it's already morning here on Friday.

Wow! Where do I start?  I'm going to try my best to briefly recap so many major events and happenings. With so many answered prayers and amazing moments yesterday, we came with full expectations today.  That would turn out to be quite an understatement.  It's such an amazing thing to start our day in prayer and time with the camp leaders and facilitators and this is what helps set up our obedience to how God might be moving each day. Despite many team members fighting physical or emotional fatigue, we took these requests to the Lord.  All week, the team has been intent on seeking how God might use us fully, but also be aware of how HE is working within our lives as well.  One incredible example of this happened  after breakfast when a team member shared their personal story and testimony of how God used prior pain and experiences as part of HIS amazing plan.  After the testimony was shared a few individuals began to share similar experiences in their own lives and came forward to start the process of healing and forgiveness.  Over the next hour maybe 20 young women also shared their painful stories and memories with the speaker or others, many had never told a single person before.  This was no small coincidence, rather a specific planned event.  The Spirit was on the move in the way words were spoke through 1 team member's testimony, which in turn led to sharing and began the healing process for so many young women here at camp. This would not be the only time God used a speaker to encourage us to bring up these painful moments or tragic events in our lives, there would be much more in store for later in the evening.

As you can imagine, keeping 100+ high school teens fed, plugged in and out of trouble can be quite a task.  Thankfully, we have such an amazing group of young men and women here and quite often find ourselves at the end of the day wishing for more time.  So, like the previous afternoons, we had rotations which allow the groups to spend time doing crafts, bible study and games or sports activities.  It was a blessing to see the staff, facilitators and ROCKHARBOR team all mixed and working together and spending quality time with the students.  Just another example of God setting up this time, with these students and staff for amazing conversation and interaction.  Today, every camper made their own cross necklace out of beads at crafts.  It was so neat to see the creativity and simple joy the kids show while working on their necklace.  Today's bible study lesson featured Queen Esther and God's plan of protection and salvation.  Finally, the games rotation featured soccer relays and some intense competitions on the field. 

Our evening agenda featured the kids dressed in their formal attire at dinner, followed by a red carpet entrance with VIP photography before entering the nightly worship segment.  What God had begun earlier in the week and especially earlier today would now come into the picture.  Like one of the new team favorite songs says "something's moving, something's changing..." this was about to be seen.  Throughout worship, something was moving, something was changing.  The Spirit was moving and hearts and lives were changing.  One of the camp facilitators also shared his testimony which closely resembled the testimony above from this morning.  Again, no coincidence and God was clearly at work.  Before the Lord's Supper there was a time for personal reflection and an opportunity for every camper to right down an area or sin in their life that they felt was holding them down or they were hiding.  The small paper would be nailed to the cross and lit on fire.  As each camper began to place their small note at the cross God really came near to so many and showed up for their first experience with HIM.  Over the next bit, God touched so many lives and many of the campers were literally crying out with all they had to God.  Team members were able to pray over many of the students and continue building up the next generation.  Together, all these papers were lit and quickly went up in flame. When the time came for the alter call, nearly 3/4 the whole room went down to accept Christ!  That's over 75 people!!  I'm sorry these short few paragraphs really can describe what ALL happened hear today, and many of you will soon hear about them when we return.  I can't even sleep as this was what we had prayed for leading up to this trip and all week.  That campers would come to know God and experience HIM here.  So, that is why I'm still up writing the blog.  There were such powerful moments in prayer, surrender and healing.  The last few hours would be spending time in conversation and prayer for many of our new brothers and sisters in Christ.  There was a lot of prayer focused on healing broken hearts, open wounds and starting anew in Jesus.

Unfortunately, we have to say see you later to this group of campers tomorrow.  However, we know now that even if we don't see our new brothers and sisters again here, we will rejoice when we meet again in Heaven.  Please continue to keep the team in your prayers as today was a very long, very intense and heavy day if those words even remotely describe the events above.  I'll close with this, God is on the move here, in Cape Town and across South Africa.  There is a new generation of leaders being raised and trained to help lead their homes, townships, cities, country and world. 

Thank you for your support !

Chris

Speaking truth from the Spirit

Getting Bible knowledge

Bead crosses at crafts

Prayer over one of the camp leaders

Cherished conversations and bonding time

Prayer and WORSHIP!