News at ABWE
LIFE Camp 2006
By Annie Langston
Bangkok, Thailand
Imagine listening to a 500-voice choir sing, “Life begins when Jesus comes in, bringing joy and gladness within.”
Well, it wasn’t exactly a choir, but there really were 500 voices—enthusiastic Thai campers. It was touching to hear them sing in English, a second language for most of them. It was even more thrilling to realize that for some of the campers, it was the first time they could sing about life that begins with Jesus and really know, from first-hand experience, what the words mean.
LIFE camp stands for “Learning Intensive Free English.” The camp is provided by the Thai church workers and Filipino missionaries every year in mid-October during the fall break of the Thai students. Though English draws the campers in, the primary objective of the camp is to introduce eternal life to the students, the majority of them from Buddhist homes. This year there were over 400 campers plus staff and workers. Twenty-three English classes, covering all ages, helped the students with their English-speaking skills.
Over half of the campers were unsaved and invited by their Christian friends. Each unsaved camper, from elementary age through adult age, has a Christian buddy for the week. The responsibility of this buddy is to review the sermons presented each day and clarify any questions the unsaved friend has. They spend as much time as possible with their buddy, taking every opportunity to share the gospel.
This year, Jerry Layton, an ABWE missionary from the Philippines, spoke twice each day on Creation Science and challenged the campers to personally know the God of creation. Nearly 100 campers came to know the Lord in the course of the week. Many more are expected to join that number as their friends follow up with them when they return home.
What an experience to see the joy on the faces of the campers and hear their joyous testimony in song, “Life begins when Jesus comes in.”
Praise God for His continued work among the Thai people. Pray for these new Christians and for the church workers as they follow up with them in the weeks to come. Pray for the spiritual growth of the campers and that they would have a positive testimony as they live their new life in homes darkened by idol worship.