“I am an overcomer!” was the exclamation of 100 Chinese students who attended our 2 day 2013 Chinese Christian Camp at Within Reach Global. The camp consisted of students from more than six universities, many different unreached tribal people groups, and twenty-five foreign short and long term missionaries.
If you missed it, the Chinese Christian Camp Facebook event is still up.
“I am an overcomer!” was the exclamation of 100 Chinese students who attended our 2 day 2013 Chinese Christian Camp at Within Reach Global.
Your prayers and financial support have made an eternal impact in these 100 lives. The stories of life transformation will continue to be written in heaven, but here’s a quick look at what happened.
We had countless fun experiences, including trust falling into group members’ arms, creating “houses” for eggs then chunking them off a two-story balcony in hopes our “house” creativity would protect the eggs from shattering, making group dramas and performing them, enjoying mealtime conversations, swimming, writing mail to each other and stuffing the letters into envelopes stuck on our backs, and so on.
Most importantly, the camp was a perfect environment to build deep relationships with the students, encourage them to overcome obstacles, and share the true meaning of life with them.
On Saturday night we gathered all of the students to watch video testimonies of two men born with severe physical disabilities—Rick Hoyt and Nick Vujicic—who both chose to live lives of purpose despite their physical limitations. Many students were moved to tears as they listened to these men’s testimonies and watched them overcome obstacles.
After the videos, David and Lorna Joannes shared their testimony of overcoming difficulties, and about God’s goodness in their lives. The gospel was clearly shared through the videos and testimonies, and many students were able to hear the Truth for the first time.
After the gathering, we broke into our groups for discussion. During our intimate discussion time, students freely opened up about obstacles they are facing, whether it be disabilities, parental pressures, relationships, personal fears and other struggles. Group leaders we were able to listen to them, encourage them, and impart hope to them. We also had the privilege of pointing them to seek Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. After the discussion, we got to minister to several students one-on-one and pray with them.
Those who gave their lives to Jesus will be introduced to our Discipleship Dinners for deeper Christian community, and be ushered into our local church.
Those who gave their lives to Jesus will be introduced to our Discipleship Dinners for deeper Christian community, and be ushered into our local church.
Results are still coming in from the camp. This week one girl said, “I made a resolution at camp to tell my mom that I love her.” (In Chinese culture, most parents never tell their children they love them and vice versa.) This precious girl said, “I called my mom this week and said, ‘I love you.’ My mom laughed shyly and was speechless. I did not know what to do so I asked her, ‘Do you love me too?’ She said, ‘Yes, I love you too.’ It made me so happy to hear something I have always wanted to know.’”
This girl overcame the obstacle of communicating love with her mom and says that now she feels closer to her mom than ever before. Many students are still completing the resolutions they made at camp, and many are now fervently seeking God for the first time.
What a huge life transformation! Thank you for partnering with us to reach these unreached students!
We want to say a BIG THANK YOU to all of you who helped support this camp and the students who attended. Thank you for joining in the kingdom work with us. Because of your support, many students’ lives are forever changed.
