CFL KIDS' CAMP 2009

It never ceases to be amazing the volume of volunteers that make Champions For Life Kids' Camp such a success. The picture above are the volunteers from week 1. This is doubled week two to make a small army. We took 62 children the first week, followed by 61 children the second week.

In the words one of our campers:
"It is so so so much fun. It helps me with my problems. "

In a letter to God another camper wrote:
"Thank you for helping me forgive and forget the past. I love you Jesus, you are my super hero!!"
Below is the campfire where we ask Jesus to burn the pain of our past memories. The campers took time to write down their pain on a piece of paper, rip it up and place it in the pot. We then ask Jesus to burn the pain of the memories of our past, while we symbolically burn the papers in our bonfire. One young boy described it as "God tickling his heart"
We had many wonderful new additions to our camp this year. The owner of Michelle's shoe store came up to camp, measured every child's foot and fitted each one with a new pair of shoes. One boy was drawing a Nike sign on his shoe earlier in the week to make his shoe look better so you can imagine his thrill to get a new pair of shoes. Many of the girls wanted to wear their new shoes with their formals to their birthday party. Another addition was our princess party and boot camp. While the boys were taught how to be a soldier of the Most High God, the girls learned that they are all princesses because they are daughters of the King of Kings. Below is a picture of our princess party.
In God's word pure religion is described as this: to remember the fatherless. Each and every year this camp grows through the faithfulness of God. We are so grateful to the hundreds of volunteers that are willing to lay down their life for one week to love a child. The fruit of this endeavor is tremendous. Many of our staff and volunteers follow up throughout the year and keep in contact with these campers, encouraging them and speaking into their lives.

CFL Kids'Camp

Sunday we head for camp. Champions for Life Kids' Camp is our camp for foster children and children in dependency care. The first week we are taking 62 children and the second week we are taking 64 children. Please keep these children in your prayers, that God will do a miracle to heal their broken hearts and reveal Himself to them as their Savior and Redeemer. God is the father to the fatherless. We want them to know that they are created by God and He has a special purpose for their lives, giving them hope for a future. Two weeks, two separate groups of children. Please keep these 126 children and the volunteers in your prayers.
"My favorite part was when I threw all my pain in the lake."
(The lake of forgiveness)

Romania - home again

Hope of Life Worship

We are home again and a little jet lagged. Above is the Hope of Life Worship Team ministering at the City Wide Crusade in Romania. Those of you that have joined us on one of the Romania Mission Teams will recognize many old and new friends. Laura, the new worship team leader, was very nervous, but as you can see did a great job. God is so faithful and He received all the glory.

It was a wonderful trip. We saw, not only new converts to Christ, but some old friends rededicate their life to their Savior. Everyone asked when we were coming back and said their "hearts were full of joy at our returning as they consider us family." We have always taught that moments matter but when one of the leaders told us they considered us their spiritual parents, we were amazed at how the Lord can take a few weeks, some Internet time and multiply it to be so fruitful. One set of new parents told us they were doing everything we told them, now what is next. What a privilege to serve such hungry, faithful believers. We are in communication as to whether there is a need for us to return in August.

Please keep us in your prayers as we adjust to a full schedule of summer missions.This Sunday we will be ministering at the Macomb Correctional Facility, our State Prison. Some of these inmates are the parents of the children we take to Champions for Life Kids' Camp. Keep both the parents and the children in your prayers, that Jesus will draw them close to His heart, into a personal relationship with Him and heal all the past memories.

Romania - Wednesday

The final night of the crusade was exciting. Again new children and families came to participate in the children's program. It was such an honor to introduce children to their creator. God's presence was sweet and tender toward them.
The young people helping us were sad when the program concluded. They were a delight to work with and we had several opportunities to encourage them and speak into their lives.
We ministered with a faithful team from Germany that hold evangelistic crusades in Kenya and Sudan, Africa. The evangelist Pastor Peter Franz and his wife Becky are pictured on the right along with the rest of their team. It was a delight to work with them this week.
Pictured above is Pastor Miahi and his family. Please keep them in your prayers as there are many changes taking place in their church. They also have the follow-up work for the children and adults that committed their lives to Christ.


The crusade was lead by the Hope of Life Church. For Laura, the worship leader, it was her first big event. Her mother attended the crusade to see her sing, first time ever! The young woman we witnessed to earlier in the week rededicated her life Sunday evening while the church was rejoicing.

The rest of the week included evaluation and testimony meetings. We also had time to catch up and encouraging old friends and developing the church's children's ministry. God has not ceased to amaze us this entire trip.

Romania - Sunday

More new parents and children came to the crusade and God's presence was precious. The children are very receptive to the Word of God and all that is happening.
Everything seemed to run a little more smoothly on Saturday. We are amazed at the dedication of these young people. They come daily to pray and eager to practice. They are so faithful to prepare for ministry. In the middle of all this, we had a moment to witness to a young woman that had left the church three years ago.

Last night started with Christian Hip Hop. The altar call was larger with people needing something from God. Thank you for your prayers as this schedule could be exhausting but we are continually refreshed. We had opportunity last night to minister one on one to many. God is so amazing.


Tonight is the final night of the crusade. The Hope of Life Church worship team is ministering tonight. Keep us in our prayers.