“I can’t hang on any more! I’m gonna fall!”

The anguished cries of the boy had my attention, but there was nothing I could do. I watched as his hands trembled and then he let go. Fortunately, since we had belayed with a rope as we always do, nothing happened.

Dear Ministry Friend,

Have you ever sent your young person to camp for the wrong reasons? “They need a break from the boredom.” “It will get them out of my hair for a few days.” “I can’t do anything with her. Maybe they can teach her something!”

Eventually, your young person comes home. But have they returned from camp with something you did not want or expect? …a broken limb? … lice? (Ugh!) …a new (bad) habit? 

Or, maybe they brought Jesus home from camp!

AMG International operates three year-round camp facilities, and seasonal camp and VBS programs in several countries. In addition, AMG missionaries Victor and Martha Magallón direct Cumbre Expeditions in Mexico.

They all exist for one primary reason: that campers take Jesus home with them.

I opened this letter with an account of a young Cumbre (‘Summit” in English) rock climber in Mexico. Victor’s report continues:

This past Saturday we had a group of around 10 kids, most of them back for the second or third time, out for climbing and rappelling. Thank the Lord with us as He continues to open doors for us to spend time with these families. PRAY with us as we seek to take advantage of these opportunities to share His love and His Word with them. Also continue to PRAY with us as we develop a discipleship program for the new believers the Lord has placed in our path; most of them are college age.

As encouraging as Victor’s report is, I can also imagine that a camp director’s voice could sound the same alarm as that young boy did.

“I can’t hang on any more! I’m gonna fall!”

• ­The objective of each of these ministries is spiritual. The enemies are spiritual. Without your prayer, effective spiritual ministry cannot be sustained.

• ­In addition to prayer, food, facilities, staff, and utilities are all part of the physical framework within which the spiritual work goes on. Each camping program can continue only because of your sustaining financial support.

Juan Pablo in Guatemala reminds us why this is important.

When I was just twelve years old, I went to Camp Canaan along with others from my class.  While I was there I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior. Now I’m twenty-six years old, and serve the Lord by preaching about the Lord at my place where I work. I’m a merchant and I sell cloth in a public market – a place where people need to hear about God so much. It’s a big market and a real good place to share the Gospel. 

“But this is August. Isn’t the camping season over for the year?”

Not really.

Some AMG “camping” ministries serve children and youth year-round. Our annual investment in year-round programs is approximately $40,000.

For day camps, shorter camping and VBS programs, the cost per child varies widely due to the local economy and the length of the program. For example …

• ­Missionary Ohene Kumi will hold VBS programs in Ghana and Togo this summer. He plans to reach over 13,000 children at a modest cost of $3 per child.

• ­In Guatemala and the Philippines a week’s camping experience can be made possible for just $40 per child.

In every program, increasing food and fuel costs have significantly stretched the budgets for our seasonal programs. So far we have not had to cancel any of them. Your generous gift this month will help us catch up financially in a difficult year.

Please PRAY for physical strength and spiritual discernment for staff as they work with youth. Pray also for the campers themselves as they are introduced to Jesus.

Please prayerfully consider AN EXTRA GIFT this month designated for camping ministries. I can assure you that your investment through prayer and giving will yield an eternal difference.

Yours for all the Campers,

Paul E. Jenks, President

PS: Your prayer and financial support provide the ropes that keep these effective camping programs from falling by the wayside. Thank you for helping!