Youth Camp and Beyond

Hello Readers,

Much has gone on since last I spoke to you all. We were very busy prepping for the youth camp which was held June 18-20.

Spear-headed by Matthew Miller, National Youth Camp of the United Pentecostal Church of Bangladesh was a huge success! Much preparation and hard work went into it and it was well worth it! There was over 230 students in attendance from all over the country of Bangladesh. This is over double the attendance than last years youth camp. These are some of the most dedicated I have ever seen. I know of one in the States that would walk for miles and travel by bus then by boat then walk for a few more hours to reach their final destination. That destination, camp where they could hear and come closer to Jesus Christ and experience Him for their self. Their sacrifice to come to the camp was very humbling.

90 people received the gift of the Holy ghost at the camp for the first time, and there were 17 which were baptized in Jesus Name. I was even privileged to baptize one of them which was a first for me. I also had the opportunity to lead the music for the camp. Despite power outages and equipment failures God still had His way! It was most definitely an awesome sight to behold.

Also during the youth camp I played my first real soccer game which we (the staff) beat the all-star team thanks to the help of a few professional soccer players. They attend the English church here in Dhaka, and agreed to volunteer their time to help out with the kids. We had a blast impacting lives and letting the kids know that not only do we care about their souls, but that we are there to be their friends and we care about them as people as well. 

After youth camp we took a scenic river boat cruise with the Shoulders. (the speakers of the camp) It was pretty neat. We stopped by a place that makes Saris (a native dress of sorts) by hand and they are very intricate and ornate. We also visited an old house which is now a university which was owned by a wealthy aristocrat of the country many years ago. 

I have also resumed Bangla classes for my last full month of my term here in Bangladesh. We are anxiously anticipating the Bible School graduation that will be taking place here in the middle of the month. It's so cool to see these students develop and mature over the course of a few months. I also finished the year with the students who I was teaching music to. They were very happy to be on summer vacation!

This random picture is something you don't see too often... I thought it was interesting. A truck load of people with umbrellas protesting in the rain... fun fun.....

Oh whoever reads this last and random comment. Since tomorrow is July 4th, will someone please set some fireworks off for me? I will be celebrating my Independence here as best I can, minus the whole fireworks thing.... unfortunately.