Lighthouse of Hope Camp is packed full!  About 100 campers from the Central Black Soil Region arrived  on July 26.  It's the most campers we've had in one session since Lighthouse of Hope Camp moved to TCC in 2003.  This is an evangelistic session for teenagers between 14-20 years of age, and the unexpected amount of campers created a shortage of counselors. 

Some Christians who thought they were going to be campers were recruited as counselors on site to help fill in the gap. In spite of the large number of people at TCC, things have been running smoothly and orderly. Horseback riding is the new activity this summer, adding to the already popular events of wall scaling and paint ball. The most important need during this session of camp is the salvation of those teenagers who do not know Jesus Christ as their Savior.  Please PRAY that the Holy Spirit will prepare the hearts of many campers and bring them to repentance.

With the large number of campers in Session One, we have a need for people to sponsor more campers.  If you have been thinking about doing this or even wondering if it's too late, may I ask you to send a donation to SEND International for Lighthouse of Hope Camp?  This will ensure that there are enough finances for Sessions Two and Three.  Session Two of Lighthouse of Hope Camp will be coming to TCC on August 9 for another group of campers and it will also be an evangelistic session.  PRAY that many teenagers from this other Province will sign up to attend Session Two.

David Flamm reports, "The Wrangell Mountain Bible Conference in July had as its theme “The Lord is My Shepherd” which was perfect for our hurting valley after many deaths in recent months.  Ahtna Chief Ben Neely, 96 & still going strong for the Lord, spoke of a wall and how the white people were on one side and the native people were on the other, but Jesus broke that wall & we can all come together at the feet of Jesus"

"The conference also brought a needed call to invest in the lives of children. God’s heart is with children (Is 40:11) & we are called to protect, defend, & guide children. (Matt 18:5&6)The state of Alaska continues to be a leader in the nation concerning child abuse. But that night men & women in this valley made commitments before God to be warriors & protectors for our children."

"The following night’s testimony by a young college-age man was even more powerful when he shared  how he was pretending for years until he finally committed his life to Jesus. God convicted him to be a warrior for his nieces and nephews and he proclaimed it in front of everyone. He set a date for very next night."

"Faith in action. That’s what it is all about. Sharing Jesus in every way!"

Faith Academy in Manila, Philippines will start its new school year on August 5. Pray for needed teaching staff to cover all the classes. Pray for all the boarding students traveling to get there this weekend. Pray that God continues to bless the school and the students with His presence and His grace.

Recently a Chinese student sent a letter to his former English teacher, a short-term SEND missionary:

"Dear B ~ how are you doin?

Missing you already for sure~

I have a good news to you: Alpha course is over and now I trust in God~
I start reading Bible and the book that my teacher gave me. It's called "the purpose chosen life."

Makes me feel good ~ you know, God loves us~!

I can't wait to share with you about this~and really thank you for your help. I'm not sure if I could trust God without your help~friend~

I think the English program helps me a lot not only using English but make me change inside~

I'm really look forward to seeing you next summer, the sooner the better~

your friend,

Jon"

Praise God for another changed life!

We thank you so much for your prayers. Adult English Camp ended on Tuesday. Nineteen adults participated. The youngest one was a 19-year-old college student and the oldest camper was 71 years old.

The team from the United States (three college girls) worked very hard teaching English, doing skits and dramatic readings. There were many valuable conversations during team time. Our speaker (a SEND missionary) used the story of Nicodemus to challenge the campers to choose Jesus, search for Him, and ask Him questions. There weren't any campers who made decisions to follow our Lord, however, we saw many mini-steps taken toward Him.

"I think that there is someone out there."

"If a doctor told me I only have six months to live, I would accept Jesus." This is a giant step for Mrs. A. who has been resistant for 30 years.

There was a Christian camper who had a wonderful testimony. She shared how her husband persecuted her when she first became a Christian. "Every Sunday before I went to church, he would beat me and kick me. I suffered his violence for three years. Then one day, he suffered an accident at work, had multiple fractures, and was hospitalized. During his stay in the hospital, God intervened and he became a Christian!"

God sent us a gift with an awesome thunder and lightning show. He was also so merciful by sending cool weather during the camp.  (Most of the rooms don't have air conditioners, and we were worried for the older campers. Japan has experienced an unprecedented heat wave, causing over 100 people to die.)

Thank you so much for your prayers! We firmly believe that God was and will be working in the campers' hearts.