We´re back

This game is used with sheets, and a team has to use the sheet to throw a water balloon over the net, and the other team has to catch it with their sheet. We were playing the youngest team, and we had launched some balloons so far that they couldn´t catch them, so we were happy about that. But then we launched one that didn´t even get over the net, and that is why we were laughing.

I don´t know how many games of volleyball I played.

Playing goalie. I´m not good at it. We lost.

A relay foot race.

This race looks too difficult for me.

Kayla in the river. She is a very sweet girl.

Me with nephew Gabriel.

Eliana speaking to the youth.

We are back from the campout. Although we had a good time, we are glad to be back, and be able to sleep in a bed again. Between 60 and 70 people were there from various churches, but most were from our church. Every morning we were up at 6:00 a.m., except most slept in a little longer on the last day. There was a river nearby, and so that is where we could swim or bath. That area gets a lot of rain, and the river kept getting more and more water. It was only probably 3 feet deep, but the current was so strong, I didn´t want to try to cross it. We stayed in the calmer spots. We played a lot of games. We played soccer, volleyball, had foot races, etc. And also everyday there was time set up for Bible study, and prayer and worship. Also everyday there was new Bible verses to memorize. There was 4 different age groups, and usually everyone broke up into those groups for Bible studies. One of the things that the groups studied was the life of Jacob, and then there was a competition between the groups, and they were asked questions, and the youngest group won.
There were all sorts of different people at the campout. Some people that were really interested in growing spiritually, and others who were not interested. There is a group of 3 girls between the ages of 15 and 16, and to me they really stood out. For their age, they seem to have such a hunger to grow spiritually, and to know God more. And I think their lives are a witness to that. I think they help each other, and encourage each other, and that is one of the reasons how God has worked so much in their lives.

One thing I have realized is that it is not easy to search for truth, and to know God more. Not only in my own life, but I believe that to be true in everyones life who is truly wanting to grow spiritually and to please God. Although in cartoons, satan is shown as a creature that really is not so bad. But satan really exists, and he is against God, and against any person, especially those that wish to know God, because those people are a threat to him. satan wishes that as many people as possible go to Hell, and so he is always working to harden peoples hearts so that they are not willing to accept the gift of salvation. He wants people to love sin, and to never turn away from it. He does not want anyone to ask God for help, but wants everyone to live independant lives, and have no need for God. I believe God is able to help those who truly want His help. Anyways, I want to say that those who are truly seeking God; satan is there to fight against them. And that is why I say it is not easy to seek God, and to search for truth. A person that wants a heart that is pure and good, that is exactly what satan is against, and he will fight against you with the hope that you will give up. But God is greater than satan, and with His help, we can have victory over satans attacks and lies. Another thing I want to say is that all Christians struggle with temptation, and I want you to know that what you are struggling with is not something that only you struggle with. But it is something that is common in the lives of Christians. satan likes to tempt Christians to sin, but we are no longer slaves to sin. Sin no longer has control over us, but the Bible says that when we are tempted, God always gives us a way out. God is always there, and gives us an opportunity to have victory of the temptation. But I know how hard it is to have victory over many temptations, and to fall in them time and again. And I am glad for Gods grace, because He forgives me. But because He forgives me, that does not give me freedom to sin. The truth is that God has changed me so that I do not like sin. And I think that the sin in my life is becoming less and less because God continues to change me. And God is able to work in my life because I want Him to do it, and I ask Him to do it.

I read something about the apostle Paul in the Bible. It was about the book of 2 Timothy, which was a letter that Paul wrote to another Christian named Timothy. Paul wrote that letter when He was in prison in Rome, and is possibly the last letter that Paul wrote before he was killed. It does not say in the Bible how Paul was killed, but other writings say He was executed in Rome. One of the things that Paul wrote was that he has fought the good fight, and he has kept the faith. What a wonderful thing to be able to say at the end of your life. ¨I have kept the faith¨. What is more important in this life? Paul wanted to please God, and his faith brought him through any difficulties that came his way. Ship wrecks, being whipped various times, almost stoned to death, cursed by God knows how many people. But Paul kept going, and it cost him everything. Imprisoned in Rome, it cost him his freedom. He could no longer visit the churches that he started and loved so much. It cost him his possessions. He didn´t even have a shawl to keep him warm. And in the end, it seems it even cost him his life.

Paul had courage, and he was not ashamed of Jesus Christ. After his conversion, he spent his life telling people about Jesus Christ. I read a tshirt that said ¨courage is being one step ahead of fear¨. I don´t know if I believe that. I think that true courage comes from faith, and knowing that God is in control, and whatever happens, God is there with us. Knowing that even if we die, it is ok because we have eternal life with God.