What a week!

It all started on Good Friday evening when I was preparing to stage manage an evangelistic production at church when I got a call from Mummy stating that Daddy had a hard fall and was being taken to the hospital to determine the extent of his injuries. I sent up a prayer for him and the doctors who would be attending to him and then got to work ensuring that there was a smooth transition between the scenes in the production so the message would not be hindered. Praise God persons responded to the altar call as they were challenged to choose Jesus while they still had an opportunity to on earth.

On Saturday morning I went down south and took over hospital waiting duties from Mummy, who had been there almost all night with Daddy while various tests were done. The CT scan showed there was evidence of a recent stroke, so they decided to hospitalize him. We had to wait until 3:30pm before they finally got a bed for him. We settled him in, stayed until visiting hours were over, and then left to come home. We had no idea how long they would keep him for. My prayer was that they would keep him at least until Friday, because I had a camp that was starting on Sunday evening and finishing on Friday afternoon. I knew that when he got discharged Mummy would need some extra support at home, and I really didn't want to have to leave camp before it was over.

Daddy in his quarters for the week.

When I arrived at camp on Sunday evening, there were 91 children - the most amount of campers that we have had at an Easter camp in years. Every single campworker who was there was crucial to ensure a successful week at camp, and I knew that if I had to leave, there would have been a shortfall, so I trusted Daddy's hospitalization into God's hands and focused on the ministry that needed to be done at camp that week.

My dorm 5 beauties

I was assigned to dorm 5 with 3 girls aged 15 and 16. Later on in the week we were joined by a 4th girl. I was glad for the small number, and also for the fact that they were willing to go to bed when I told them to so I got at least 5 hours sleep each night! Over the course of the week, I led them in devotions, had in depth conversations with each one of them, and helped them find strategies to deal with the challenges they were facing. Three of them made professions of faith after one of the chapel sessions, so please keep them in your prayers as they seek to grow in Christ.

Spectacular display of God's creativity
at the sunrise service

This camp's theme was "Extra, extra, read all about it" with a focus on encouraging the campers to get to know God through studying the Bible. We had sessions explaining how to study the bible, and also showing how the bible had answers to every issue or question they had. There was an evening of bible games like Sword drill and Bible boxing and a quiz on bible facts. There were also bible themed activity sheets for the campers to complete, as well as a team chorale speaking competition based on the memory verses Psalms 119:9-12, 15-16. The speaker did an excellent job keeping the attention of the campers who ranged in age between 6 years and 17 years old, by keeping them guessing the clue words relating to his main points. His messages were simple enough for the younger ones to follow, while hitting hard at the issues the older ones were facing.

Dorm 4 boy sharing his bible with Dorm 2 girl during chapel

Based on a need which arose during devotions on the second to last day of camp, the program was adjusted to include a session for the older ones on the difference between love and lust, and strategies for dealing with parental issues, especially for those coming from broken homes. Experienced counselors shared their experiences, and the discussion was very open and candid, as the campers shared their struggles and received answers for their questions, and prayer for those who came to camp burdened and were grateful for an opportunity to share their issues and get godly counsel. The speaker was also led, on the last night of camp, to address areas in which the campers were exposing themselves to witchcraft through the TV shows and movies they watched and also symbols they wore on their clothing. This session was very instruction and helped build awareness in the campers about the schemes of the enemy to deceive them. 

Having fun at morning exercise

On the last day of camp, Mummy told me she had gotten the latest results from the test which showed how thick Daddy's blood was, and she was just waiting for the doctor to decide if it was within the acceptable range before discharging him. He was discharged on Saturday morning. I was so grateful to God for keeping him in the hospital that week, so I could focus on ministering to the campers, and also so Daddy would have no choice but to rest and take his medication. The build up of fluid in his leg decreased significantly and his blood thickness returned to the desired level. Please pray that he will be more agreeable about taking his medication, and also that his left arm which was hurt in the fall will be restored to 100% use so he can be independently mobile.

Sunset at Victory Heights Bible camp

I am humbled to serve a God who hears and answers prayer. He even gave me extra time on Friday to start recuperating from camp before I had to head south to see the doctors in the hospital on Saturday morning. This also allowed me time on Friday evening to visit the Caribbean Staff training for IS/IVCF which was being held in St. Ann's. It was a great time of reconnecting with staff from across the Caribbean, most of whom I had not seen since last year. I was overjoyed to see Kishell, who was president of the CCCF group in Grenada when I first restarted the ministry over there. She attended the Emerging leaders tract and thoroughly enjoyed the experience, and is considering returning to Trinidad in July to be a part of ISCF camp!

This is the same person who didn't want to come to Trinidad
as a student because she was afraid she would get shot ;)

As I reflect on this past week, I can truly thank God for His impeccable timing and for taking care of business at home while I took care of business at camp. I am exceedingly grateful to all those who supported us during Daddy's hospitalization - those who visited, those who called or messaged and those who prayed. We could not have made it without your love and encouragement.