2009 Panama English Camp – Barney Hodgkinson
I watched as 7 young people got up to give their lives to Christ. One of the boys was from my own group, a mix of students of middle school age. Only one or two spoke much English, the rest being pretty much beginners. Most knew Christ. Here, up front confessing his faith for the first time, was one who had not.
The first day of camp was chaotic with busloads of kids arriving to “English Camp.” And I remembered him. He had very little English and seemed a troublemaker. Somehow, the staff organized him and the shouting, laughing young people into groups and cabins and got everyone squared away. It was no small task, and I am still amazed at the hard work our team members from many difference churches across the US and Canada did that day. But it didn’t stop there
Each day was packed so full that it even exhausted the youths. There were the English lessons, devotions, preparing our skits and plays, swimming sports, teaching, and ministry. The long days were made longer as they stretched into the evenings. As soon as the campers were in their cabins, we staff held our meetings which lasted until ten o’clock and sometimes later. Sleep came easily, despite the heat. But mornings came even more quickly.
By the middle of the time spent at camp, it was good to see the campers each day. We were becoming friends that could laugh and joke, even if English was more a barrier than a connection. Our skits were coming along, and we were getting used to the routine of this place. Mealtimes were become like sitting around the table with family. Still, I was not prepared for the last two nights.
The gospel had been told, the Bible used the help with English lessons, and the truth taught. Prayers had been said, too. Many had been spoken long before even reaching Panama. It was on one of the last evenings that we saw the work of those prayers being answered.
Many young people today are not interest in Christ. They are blinded by the world and what it says is important to have and do and to be. It takes a strong effort to counteract all of that- a lot of prayers and a lot of work. I am sure that God could do it all without our effort, but He has chosen this way. So, the night the 7 gave their lives to Christ should not have been surprised me, nor the 46 who recommitted to Christ, or the several who came forward to commit their lives to Christian service. Almost everyone in the entire camp had been touched, somehow, for all eternity
Sometimes we wonder if missions trips are worth it. There is a lot of discouragement surrounding outreach, and fewer in our country are interested in going out for even a short time. I get more excited at this, because I know that of all the things in the world, mission is one of the very few things that is worth it. And when fewer want to be involved, it makes it all the more valuable. It is a wonderful opportunity to gather the kind of wealth Jesus spoke of when he said in Matthew, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.”
I had not expected that I found in Panama, but of course, it was my first treasure hunt there.