Camp News :)

Bonjour :) Just kidding, HOLA! 

    

        Finally, I am back into the technology world and i am able to report what the Lord did at camp. It was certainly a LONG week, but we made it. We had 41 Deaf/CODAs attend the camp this week. It was wonderful being able to see some old friends and meet new friends too. The theme of the camp was "Call to God & He will answer". We had two guest pastors from the states come and preach/teach during the week. Also, we had Deaf missionaries come to help out with the camp.

       There were a total of 3 youth that attended my class (not including Sandra & Dulce- who are CODAs but they were my assistants). We all grew really close to one another. One youth was a CODA who had amazing ASL, Spanish and English skills. The other two girls were Deaf teens from south of the island. These two Deaf girls just recently started attending a Deaf church and they were hungry to learn more about God. At first, when we met, we were signing to each other then i had a phone call ( i said excuse me and answered the call). When i got off the phone, the Deaf girl's mouth dropped and said, "YOU ARE HEARING?!?!" We both laughed so hard, because she honestly thought i was Deaf. Nope, i am not Deaf, just a CODA :) She also found out Sandra was hearing during the middle of camp, we just thought it was so funny.

       One of the Deaf teens had a very hard time adjusting to camp. She would not want to fellowship with anyone, she would cry during meal times, and she would cover her face. It made me so sad because i wanted her to enjoy her time at camp, learn about what Jesus has done for her and etc. It wasn't until Thursday at camp, she cried even more and she wanted to go home.She was telling me how much her heart hurts and she can't stop worrying about her mom being sick. We called her mom, but her mom encouraged her to stay at camp ( I am so thankful she did, you will see why soon). Later that evening, we went to the pool and we were talking more about Jesus. She was asking questions and would ask me, "would Jesus help me get rid of my hurting heart?" 

      Later that night, we had dramas, worship, and a message. Thursday was a very powerful night at camp and many people came to know the Lord that night. She looked at me and i asked her, "Are you ready to accept Jesus?" She said, " I am READY". We went up together because she did not to go alone and Lina (from the Dominican Republic) & I shared with her how to receive Jesus into her life. It was so beautiful to be a part of that. After she prayed, she had the biggest smile on her face. She went up to everyone and told them, "CROSS * touch-heart* FINISH" meaning "I asked Jesus to come into my heart". After that, she did not cry anymore and she would not put her Bible down. She would read and read the Word, and everyone could tell she was different- JESUS is in her. Praise God!!

    All the tears, sweat, getting hurt during the game "spoons", saving puppies in a cave, giving it all it took to explain what Jesus did for these youth in ASL, Spanish, English, and gestures---- it was ALL WORTH IT!! I praise God for a new sister, i praise God for the gospel being told, and i praise God what He is going to do with all the seeds that were planted this week. 

Campamento de Sordos

My sweet friends from the Dominican Republic

CODA/Deaf teen Class

A new sister in Christ

My right hand lady who helps me with just about everything!

                        Later on i will post up videos of our dramas that we did on Thursday night. :)

   This weekend we will have a Ladies retreat for CODAs. Be praying for Sandra & I as we lead this Bible Study on Sunday Night until Monday night. We will be staying the night in the ministry office (Puerto Rico Deaf ministries) and then on Monday go to the BEACH. Our theme is, "God & me". We will focus on how God loves us but HE longs for us to love Him back. We have two girls who are new Christians and the two other girls who are coming do not know much about Him. They are completely learning about who JESUS is, they never even have heard about the Gospel. Pray for us minister to these girls and that they can see a God who loves them so dearly. I praise God for my time here on this island. The Lord is at work. I am so humble that He chose me to be able to share the Gospel. He is beautiful and He is worthy to be praised.

 Thank you for your prayers, support, and encouraging words.  Continue to do so for us as we continue to reach out to these CODAs/ Deaf on the island. Only two weeks left until i return to the states. Love you all and blessings!!

Until then--- smiles and hugs :)