Magandang umaga – Good Morning in Tagalog
Yesterday was the last full day of No Bible – No Basketball Camp – and full it was. The weather cooperated and we had beautiful blue skies and dry courts. Of course with blue skies comes hot sun! However, it didn’t slow down the competition. The girls final volleyball game was in the afternoon and the boys semifinal games finished just before supper.
There was also a fun game of “Big Ball Volleyball” a 4 foot ball that was hit back in forth until it broke! Lots of laughter filled the air.
The last two Bible sessions concluded the “Verified” series with a bonfire. With the heat, it may have been the most distance I have ever seen between a bonfire and people. Nevertheless, it was enjoyed by all with the teens individually expressing their thankfulness for the Word of Life camp and staff. There were also a few testimonies of saving and strengthening faith as a result of the days together (couldn’t tell for sure what was said as it was mostly in the local dialect with some English sprinkled in!)
The bonfire concluded with all the campers gathering round the fire (now embers) and a final plea to those who hadn’t accepted Christ. The pastor ended the time with all the campers praying together for strength and strong commitment as they leave tomorrow and reenter the world.
The final game was played after the bonfire with much fanfare. There was enthusiastic cheering (and of course laughter.) Of course the announcer kept us entertained with his dialogue, including phrases like, “what a warrior spirit” and after a missed shot “not so good” or “better luck next time.” Perhaps my favorite might have been “That was the steal of the century.”
There had been little doubt who the best team was all week and they did not disappoint as they easily won. The other team kept it close for most of the first half but the winning team proved to be too strong, doubling the score by midway through the second half. True to Filipino culture, they let up near the end and both teams played their substitutes. The score closed to eleven points creating a satisfactory score. The last minute was just a fun time of trying to dunk the ball or hit outrageous three point shots much to the laughing and cheering delight of all the attentive fans.
We started today (Friday morning) with an early morning net-fishing which netted a couple dozen or so small fish and several squid. The scene was probably similar to when Jesus called his disciples by the sea. As some of our team watched, I couldn’t help by think that maybe Jesus is calling some of them to consider how they could be fulltime “Fishers of men.”
The campers leave this morning and we leave today for the local airport to fly to Manila where most will spend the night. A few will leave from the airport for a 3 hour drive to Laguna, Word of life’s other camp, where they will spend the night. While most of the team will tour Manila, those in Laguna will tour the camp. All will meet for lunch ( a three hour trip back to the city for the Laguna few) and then on the plane for the long trip back to the States.
Pray for the campers that leave today to stay committed to the challenge they received. Pray for those who have not committed their life to Jesus that they will think about what they have heard. Pray for the team’s many travel hours and for our hearts to reflect on what God has taught us.
Thanks for all your prayers! This will probably be the last update- thanks for reading!
Tim Scott
Missions Integrator
Calvary Church
Lancaster, PA 17601
Yesterday was the last full day of No Bible – No Basketball Camp – and full it was. The weather cooperated and we had beautiful blue skies and dry courts. Of course with blue skies comes hot sun! However, it didn’t slow down the competition. The girls final volleyball game was in the afternoon and the boys semifinal games finished just before supper.
There was also a fun game of “Big Ball Volleyball” a 4 foot ball that was hit back in forth until it broke! Lots of laughter filled the air.
The last two Bible sessions concluded the “Verified” series with a bonfire. With the heat, it may have been the most distance I have ever seen between a bonfire and people. Nevertheless, it was enjoyed by all with the teens individually expressing their thankfulness for the Word of Life camp and staff. There were also a few testimonies of saving and strengthening faith as a result of the days together (couldn’t tell for sure what was said as it was mostly in the local dialect with some English sprinkled in!)
The bonfire concluded with all the campers gathering round the fire (now embers) and a final plea to those who hadn’t accepted Christ. The pastor ended the time with all the campers praying together for strength and strong commitment as they leave tomorrow and reenter the world.
The final game was played after the bonfire with much fanfare. There was enthusiastic cheering (and of course laughter.) Of course the announcer kept us entertained with his dialogue, including phrases like, “what a warrior spirit” and after a missed shot “not so good” or “better luck next time.” Perhaps my favorite might have been “That was the steal of the century.”
There had been little doubt who the best team was all week and they did not disappoint as they easily won. The other team kept it close for most of the first half but the winning team proved to be too strong, doubling the score by midway through the second half. True to Filipino culture, they let up near the end and both teams played their substitutes. The score closed to eleven points creating a satisfactory score. The last minute was just a fun time of trying to dunk the ball or hit outrageous three point shots much to the laughing and cheering delight of all the attentive fans.
We started today (Friday morning) with an early morning net-fishing which netted a couple dozen or so small fish and several squid. The scene was probably similar to when Jesus called his disciples by the sea. As some of our team watched, I couldn’t help by think that maybe Jesus is calling some of them to consider how they could be fulltime “Fishers of men.”
The campers leave this morning and we leave today for the local airport to fly to Manila where most will spend the night. A few will leave from the airport for a 3 hour drive to Laguna, Word of life’s other camp, where they will spend the night. While most of the team will tour Manila, those in Laguna will tour the camp. All will meet for lunch ( a three hour trip back to the city for the Laguna few) and then on the plane for the long trip back to the States.
Pray for the campers that leave today to stay committed to the challenge they received. Pray for those who have not committed their life to Jesus that they will think about what they have heard. Pray for the team’s many travel hours and for our hearts to reflect on what God has taught us.
Thanks for all your prayers! This will probably be the last update- thanks for reading!
Tim Scott
Missions Integrator
Calvary Church
Lancaster, PA 17601