75,000 at Kids’ Summer Day Camps

24 Jun 75,000 at Kids’ Summer Day Camps

Dear Friends,There is much happening as we enter the summer months, both in India and in the US. Here are a few updates and prayer requests. Thank you for your faithful partnership both in heart, in prayer support and in sharing your resources. These results are not without your faithful involvement and the dedication of those who are on the front lines pouring out their lives daily, many in the midst of persecution.

Over 500 Summer Day Camps are having great results. As soon as reports and testimonies make it from the villages to the home base, we will shout out praises for God’s goodness. Thank you to all who have participated in supporting thousands of children and their parents who now have heard the gospel in a very loving atmosphere. We are still receiving funds, so if you would like to contribute toward Kids’ Summer Day Camps, please click here. Pray for the trained staff who will follow up in the homes with those who have participated.

Dear Friends,

I hope you will take the time to read this report of so many lives in India impacted by Kids’ Camps. Your prayers and support have made a big difference. 

The last two months have been a tremendous success for the first annual “Summer Day Camps” for kids throughout India, a fresh vision of HBI through the churches of INEC (India National Evangelical Churches), the network of churches associated with Hindustan Bible Institute. The preliminary reports are astronomical. Seventy-five thousand children and their families were greatly impacted by love, teaching, and encouragement through many hundreds of the local churches of INEC in nineteen states across India.  Whether in small structures, under an erected covering for a roof or under a tree in remote, unreached villages, creative activities, Bible stories, and personal attention lead to an understanding of God’s love, mercy, and grace. 

THE CHALLENGE OF COMMUNITY RESISTANCE

Many of the camps were facing increased resistance and potential persecution, some in areas where it is against the law to “proselytize.” With much wisdom there was no direct effort for conversion. They simply taught biblical values such as respect and obedience and developed the spiritual practices of prayer, memorizing scripture verses, and exploring the scripture, emphasizing the stories of Bible heroes. 

As reported in one such village, there was local resistance and distrust among the villagers at first. But when some of their children came home absent of foul language, with improved behavior and better attitudes, families began asking for prayer and learned more about the love of Christ and His gospel in their own homes through follow up. 

MEETING NEEDS AND DEVELOPING SKILLS

They were taught the importance of education and developing skills in creativity through arts, crafts, and music, nurturing their God-given talents. They even learned practical improvements such as the importance of nutrition and hygiene. Many of the kids come from remote areas where cleanliness and hygiene are not priorities due to lack of awareness and resources. It is in meeting these kinds of practical needs that gain the trust of the community and open their hearts to the message of Christ and His love.

THE REMOTEST PART OF THE EARTH

Some villages are so remote, their only access to the outside world is barricaded by thick forest and dangerous rivers. Yet they welcomed pastors who came and organized kids’ camp for the entire village. This opened opportunities to visit these families and pray with them. Some villages even asked the churches to start weekly Bible lessons for kids.

LIFE TRANSFORMATION

One testimony of God’s transformation came from six kids, ages 10-to-12 who were addicted to smoking bidi and cigarettes. Bidi is a stronger, harsher, and more dangerous form of cigarette that is popular in India. After being taught moral values, the dangers of substance abuse, and the importance of healthy choices, the Lord touched their hearts as they made a commitment to a new way of living.

KIDS’ CAMP MATTERS

These summer camps serve as a powerful foundation for planting seeds of hope in the hearts of children shaping young lives spiritually, emotionally, and morally. These children are not only the future, but as Jesus said, the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 

Though we are reaching the end of these camps, there is still a need to meet the budget for funding.  Would you please consider contributing to this end. Whatever you can do will help cover expenses and put us in a greater position for doing this again next year. You may donate online by clicking here, or you may send a check to HBI Global Partners, P.O. Box 3037, Broken Arrow, OK 74013 . Please put “Kids’ Summer Camps” in the memo.

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

This life-changing experience for so many children and families could not have been realized without your faithful prayers and resources. This is the first year of this new ministry venture and lays a great foundation for future growth and development. We are looking forward to next year as already new ideas are springing forth such as adding 24-hour camps at our regional training centers.

I know the Lord will bless you for your faithful partnership. You are making a difference in the lives of people that you will one day meet in heaven. 

Fulfilling His mission together!

HBI Global Partners