Jason & April Ruggles

Camp!

Posted on 08. Jul, 2009 by April in Missions, Thailand

English Camp was a huge success!

Eating Breakfast

The students all enjoyed themselves, the games went well, the teaching stations went well, and the weather was (mostly) cooperative .  At our last session, some of the students were invited to share about their experience at camp.  Many of them said that they wished the camp would last longer and that they hoped to come back again.  It was fun to watch the campers who came without friends quickly make friends and have a good time.

Prom King and Queen

Throughout camp we never hid the fact that we were Christians.  We sang worship songs and shared about our relationship with God.  The theme of the camp was “Time for Friends.”  Pastor Dton shared about his friendships, and followed up later by talking about Jesus as the best friend we can have.  Many students had questions about God and talked with the Thai staff about it.  And over the three days, four students chose to accept Christ!!!  I was especially excited to see a girl from our group who I talked to a lot among them!  We never did an altar call.  Rather, through the relationships that were built, the staff could fully explain the Gospel one-on-one.  But, it was a very public decision.  The new believer would be brought to the staff so that we could all pray for them and welcome them to the family.  Becoming a Christian in Thailand is not easy.  Often your family does not understand or support your decision.  So when you make the decision, you have to be ready to stand firm in it.

The Winning Sand Castle

Although we had so much fun with prom, English Town, the crazy beach relay, and the sandcastle building competition, the highlight for me was Wednesday morning.  Instead of our morning staff meeting, we had a baptism.  Six people were baptized.  Four who have become Christians in the past month, one who has been a church member for 2 years, and one who came to Christ our first day of camp.  It was 6am, and the sea and the sky were beautiful.  We prayed and sang songs on the beach while those involved with the baptism went out into the water where it was deep enough to be dunked.  It is so exciting to watch these young people come to know the Lord!

Early Morning Baptism

Tags: baptism, English camp, friends, ministry