"I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father." (Jesus Christ, John 14:31)

I'm glad Andruw explained the whole camp so y'all could get a glimpse of that (see below if you haven't read it yet), but I will say that it was indeed intense. Despite one of our team members saying it felt like a boot camp and another saying a bit of it seemed like a concentration camp, we all had a great time, and our greatest hope is that it will affect all the youth that went. Our prayer is that they will really examine their lives and how passionate they are about Christ, and not be content to stay in that place spiritually but truly desire to seek Him more and more. (Some of the youth are believers yet do not have passion for Christ, while a number that went are not believers. The topic of all the teaching was Passion for Christ.)

Last week and this week have been a lot different from the business of the first week, and what we have been doing a lot of the time has definitely changed. For example, some of the things at the Montoyas house Bryanna and I have been doing are helping with dishes, cooking, laundry, playing with the kids, and helping with homeschooling. Those are all things we already do or certainly could do at home in California, so at times it doesn't really feel like we're really being effective or doing what we should be doing. But that is such a great reminder of what a lot of the time in our lives is spent doing--not anything exciting or new, but simply serving in the "little" ways however we can, wherever we can. When some of us on our team are riding into the jungle to preach the gospel to those who have never heard it, others are pouring yet another cup of juice for a little one or trying to laugh at another "joke" she tells. But we are reminded, "...the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart" (1 Sam. 16:7). "...know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought" (1 Chr. 28:9). And: "Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God" (Heb. 13:15-16). The Lord looks on the heart, so it doesn't make a huge difference exactly what serving Him looks like, as long as it truly comes out of our love for Him. The writer of Hebrews says that simply doing good and sharing whatever you have are pleasing sacrifices to the Lord! So even if two hands and two feet are all we have, let us persevere in serving others honestly!

On a side note, I just wanted to let you know that we really do read any comments on the blog posts. Thank you to those of you who have commented before; it's fun and really encouraging to know that someone's reading what we write and praying with us and for us!

(If you do not know how to write or view comments, scroll to the bottom of any post and click on "_ comments"--the blank will be some number. If you again scroll to below the post, you should see any previous comments and be able to write a comment.)

Praises:

-Everyone was kept safe (by God's grace) during camp.

-We got to spend some time together as a team last night, which was a great blessing.

Prayer requests:

-That the Lord would cause what was taught and talked about at the camp to bring about sincere change and love for Christ in the youth's lives.

-For the VBS at the day care this afternoon (Tuesday), that we would work together well as a team, set a good example, and continue to build relationships with the kids there.

-Wade was slightly hurt during soccer yesterday (don't worry mom and dad, it's nothing bad, just slightly hurt ankle and toe; he can still walk). For him to heal completely and that it wouldn't hinder his serving.

-Seeing ways in which we can serve and going out of our way to find those.

Thank you so much for all your prayers on our behalf!

In His holy Name,

Amber