Youth Camp

Saltillo Coahuilla, Mexico

Our youth camp in La Ensenanda, Nuevo Leon was a huge succes, even though we had to move it to Saltillo, Coahuila because Hurricane Alex made the road to our normal campground inaccessible for the water trucks.  Brother Daniel Miller from WMO attended and was a blessing to the youth.  Brother Pedro Pineda was our Camp Pastor, and Bernie 3 flew down from Brazil to be with us.  Enjoy the short summary of our wonderful time there...


Wednesday, July 28, 2010

I arrived in Saltillo via Continental Airlines at 7:00 P.M. after a very pleasant, but slightly bumpy, flight. Brother Roberto Ochoa and Sister Castillo picked me up at the airport and drove me to the hotel where this years camp is at: La Fuente. Camp was in full swing, in fact there was a long line for dinner already formed.

I was thrilled to see so many happy faces and to hear the joy in the youth's voices as they chattered excitedly to one another as they waited in line to get their chilaquiles and beans, the evening fare. I was shown to my hotel room where I thought to take a quick nap, but instead found myself swept away by the horde of greeters and well wishers culminating in a well needed conversation with Brother Pedro Pineda who brought me up to speed on the many goings on in the camp and around the nation.

Faith and Charity Dominguez Romo my daughters from Culiacan greeted me and brought dinner plates for Brother Pedro and myself. Bernie Tres (B3—my son) made his way to the dining hall to have fellowship.

Service that evening was a wonderful time of singing praises to the Lord. Brother Javier Montero spoke for about 15 minutes, a very powerful exhortation to praise God. He used testimonies of his times in the world to encourage the young people.

We had expected about one hundred youth, and had reserved space for about one hundred and thirty-five young people. There are already 160 youth here and more are expected to arrive tomorrow, Friday, and Saturday! The response has been overwhelming. The hotel has forty rooms, and we are currently occupying thirty-five rooms!

Thursday, July 29, 2010
We woke up to the chatter of happy voices fellowshipping outside our windows. We had breakfast consisting of scrambled eggs and ham with some refried beans and corn tortillas. It was very good and filling.

After breakfast the groups went outside for various sporting events, contests and fellowship. They also had their group meetings with their team leaders.

Lunch was a delicious mexican “guiso” (sort of like a spicy stew) of jalepeños and beef, with a side of rice.

After lunch there was a boys only meeting while the girls had exclusive use of the swimming pool, followed by a girls only meeting while the boys had exclusive use of the swimming pool. Despite the cool weather the youth were happy to be able to swim.

In the boys and girls meetings (which lasted about one hour and thirty minutes each) Brother Elliott Colón spoke to the youth as only he can. The young people are hungry for God, and they are in expectation to receive the blessings of God. Many of the youth gave their hearts to God accepting Christian baptism.

In the evening the young people broke into their different “talleres” (sort of like work-study groups or shop activities).

For dinner we had a formal dining event with young people coming as couples in celebration of friendship. It was a huge success. Brother Eligio Gamez arrived to camp with eight young people from Reynosa Taumalipas.

While the dinner was getting started, I left with Brother Robert Ochoa to the airport to pick up Brother Daniel Miller, a missionary from Worldwide Missionary Outreach (WMO). We arrived at the tail end of the dinner.

Brother Moises Huero sang a few of his compositions followed by a greeting from Brother Daniel Miller (I interpreted for Brother Miller). Afterwards B3 gave an awesome talk on Friendship, his interpreter was Brother Pablo Pineda.

After service we had a few minutes fellowship and then being that it was past 11:00 P.M. made our ways to our respective rooms to get some rest.

Friday, July 30, 2010
The young people had a wonderful day of activities: sports, workshops, and swimming were some of the activities they participated in. Brother Elliott Colón had an hour and a half session with the boys speaking to them about obligating God--'comprometiendo a Dios'. When you repent and receive Christian baptism you obligate God to give you the gift of the Holy Ghost. While he spoke to all the boys, the girls went swimming.

After the session with the boys, Brother Elliott took a half hour rest and then began the session with the girls while the boys went swimming. After his talk the Holy Spirit fell down, and many received a blessing. Brother Pedro Pineda took a picture and a light appeared in the photograph. On Saturday he took a picture from the same place to check the lighting conditions and the light does not appear in the same size...

Friday afternoon Brother Daniel Miller, missionary from Worldwide Missionary Outreach, presented the new website Global Youth of Vision, and then preached a powerful message. Brother Miller's love, power and grace in ministry captivated the hearts of the young people.

Dinner was followed with the bonfire! A time of celebration and worship that was wild at times. Brother Miller's campfire experiences turned into a much needed asset as there were several hiccups getting the fire started... When Bernie III took over the service things calmed down considerably as he began to speak on being understood. God understands you even when no-one else does. Youth sat enraptured as God spoke to their hearts.

By the time Brother Miller got up to sing and share a few words many of the young people were weeping in their seats. There was a time of reflection, opening of hearts, and outpouring of love as the youth received their God who understood their problems into their lives.

For and hour after dismissal many were still shouting and singing in jubilee, the pastors (Javier Montero, Gerardo Lara, Pedro Pineda) and many others were dancing and praising God.

After the bonfire, one of the sisters had a deep spiritual experience that greatly affected how she thought of life and here situation, leading her into a deeper surrender. After her experience, she talked with me for a long time, receiving instruction and liberation. We ended our talk about 3:00 A.M. Everyone was happy to see her respond well. About 10 young girls and several of the ministers waited to make sure she was well before going to sleep.