These are the devotionals the team reflected on each morning before camp in 2010. As we adjust back to life in the states, pray that we would continue to see Christ as the only Good Shepherd in our day to day lives. We hope that these are an encouragement to you and your family.

Day 1 – The Only Door

Read John 10:1-8

We are here to point people who are just like us to Jesus Christ for salvation. We were blind, now we see. We cannot pretend to see by our own wisdom or enlightenment. It is only because Christ lives through us that we point past ourselves to Jesus.

In the previous chapter, Jesus had confronted the Pharisees on spiritual blindness. The Pharisees had understanding. They talked the talk and walked the walk. In many ways, every one of us still struggles with claiming that “we see.” We are not better than the Pharisees, and we are not here to train more Pharisees. We are here to show campers to the door – the only door Jesus Christ.

If we seek to make these children love us by being great role models and fun people, but do not do so while abiding in Christ – we are not showing them to the door. If we teach them to be good people and fail to show them that all have sinned and fall short – we are not showing them to the door. We are being liars and strangers. Many already snatch away sheep and teach them, mold them, and hold them in the ways of the world – climbing in another way and acting like their shepherd.

We have the extreme privilege of being part of Christ’s shepherding work. To do that, we must repent of our Pharisaical tendencies. We must repent of ourselves and point to Jesus alone. At times, we must lay down our schedules, our ideas, our opinions, our comfort, our security, our recognition, our leadership positions, our cultures and many other things so that these children do not see us, but see the Only Way, Truth and Life. No one comes to the Father except through Jesus Christ.

Praise be to God that we can be a part of His work!!! He is way in, He is the door, He is the Good Shepherd. I pray that we would be like Him, point towards Him, and live for Him this week at camp.

Day 2 – Enter through the door and be saved, go in, go out, and find Pasture

– by Charles Spurgeon

"I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture." {John 10:9}

Jesus, the great I AM, is the entrance into the true church, and the way of access to God himself. He gives to the man who comes to God by him four choice privileges.

1. He shall be saved. The fugitive manslayer passed the gate of the city of refuge, and was safe. Noah entered the door of the ark, and was secure. None can be lost who take Jesus as the door of faith to their souls. Entrance through Jesus into peace is the guarantee of entrance by the same door into heaven. Jesus is the only door, an open door, a wide door, a safe door; and blessed is he who rests all his hope of admission to glory upon the crucified Redeemer.

2. He shall go in. He shall be privileged to go in among the divine family, sharing the children’s bread, and participating in all their honours and enjoyments. He shall go in to the chambers of communion, to the banquets of love, to the treasures of the covenant, to the storehouses of the promises. He shall go in unto the King of kings in the power of the Holy Spirit, and the secret of the Lord shall be with him.

3. He shall go out. This blessing is much forgotten. We go out into the world to labour and suffer, but what a mercy to go in the name and power of Jesus! We are called to bear witness to the truth, to cheer the disconsolate, to warn the careless, to win souls, and to glorify God; and as the angel said to Gideon, "Go in this thy might", even thus the Lord would have us proceed as his messengers in his name and strength.

4. He shall find pasture. He who knows Jesus shall never want. Going in and out shall be alike helpful to him: in fellowship with God he shall grow, and in watering others he shall be watered. Having made Jesus his all, he shall find all in Jesus. His soul shall be as a watered garden, and as a well of water whose waters fail not.

Day 3 – Abundant Life in Christ’s Fold

Read John 10:10-12

The language used here to describe the thief is the same that is used to describe Satan in other parts of scripture. His lies are subtle, often unnoticeable. The sins we commit become socially tolerable even within the church. We don’t see the evil that is out there in the world or the sin that is within our own hearts. The good intentioned religious person can easily teach lies and destroy true worship and faith in God – all in the name of good deeds and loving others. It looks like the teachings of Jesus – but Jesus is nowhere to be found.

The good shepherd comes to bring life. Abundant life. Content life. Abundant does not mean health, wealth, and happiness. Nor does it mean that you will be without struggles with sin and tragedy and pain. We can have abundant life because He laid His life down for His sheep. He is no stranger to pain and sorrow. But He knew no sin. He took the wrath of God for things He did not and could not do. He served and washed feet as the King of the Universe. He gave up riches for poverty. Holiness for our mess. He took on that life of disgust so that we can live as children, heirs, and beloved sheep. Sheep aren’t that lovely either. They are smelly and slightly stupid. Yet He loved us in the midst of that.

Our God is incarnational and loving to the point of dwelling among us. He could have made us reach up to God and show some effort before He saved us. He didn’t. He came when we were enemies, when we were dead and loved us to the point of death, even death on a cross.

We are not Jesus this week. We are not the Good Shepherd. We are still sheep. Rejoice first that your name is written in the Lamb’s book of life. Gratitude that you are saved will result in your taking on attributes of the shepherd. It’s strange, but we are sheep called to be shepherds this week. We look no different than those we serve because we are not different from those we serve. We need a shepherd just as badly as these kids do. Today ask God through the Holy Spirit to transform your attitudes and desires to be those that lay down your life for each other and the people we are here to serve. The only response to having a good shepherd is complete and utter humility in the light of God’s grace.

Day 4 – Not a Hired Hand

Read John 10:12-15

What will you do when you are called to minister and things get difficult - when you are insulted, unappreciated, and betrayed? How will you respond when the people mistreat you, when your team member destroys what you were trying to do, when your freedom is not acknowledged and you are not shown the respect that you feel like you deserve?

All of us have been there. And all of us have a natural tendency to run. We all have a natural self preservation instinct - “I am in danger – I’m getting out of this situation.” Sometimes what is in danger is our pride, our dignity, our respect, our reputation, or our physical safety. This, in our minds, justifies our flight.

Let me tell you this straight – we are in sin when we do this. Self protection and preservation are not attributes of a follower of Christ. We are called to be last, not first. Serve not be served. We are called to lay down our lives as Christ laid His own down for the church. Jesus sacrificed what we so often hold on to dearly for the sake of our salvation.

We are not hired hands – we are children of God and called to be like Him in our limited, imperfect way. Like I said yesterday, we are not Jesus. But we are made new. We are not our own, we were bought with a price and the Holy Spirit is now guiding our steps and enabling our living like Jesus. We are without excuse. We are set free from living for ourselves. In the light of the Gospel, we can live thinking of others first. We love others because Christ first loved us.

The Father knows and loves His sheep. Those He has called and adopted now care for them on earth. We are called to see them and treat them in the same way that Christ sees them and treats them – as beloved. We are called to lay down our lives for these campers. To do this, we must die to ourselves and live to Christ.

This community fostered through laying down our lives for the sake of the Gospel – called the Church – imitates the intimate community of the Trinity. It is a blessing to have that kind of life with one another and for one another. So remember, you are not just a hired hand who will run or fight for yourself when the going gets tough. You are called to lay down your life for His sheep as He has laid down His life for you.

Day 5 – One Flock, One Shepherd

Read John 10:16-18

No one can pretend to know and understand completely the parables of Jesus. He told them so that those who have ears to hear may listen. I pray that this week the Holy Spirit has spoken through God’s word and led us to repentance and faith that manifests itself in a Christ-like life.

He told us that He has sheep that are not of this fold. In the context of the previous chapter and His audience, it makes sense that “this fold” is referring to the Jewish people. Jesus made it clear towards the end of His ministry that redemption was to be extended to Gentiles – every tribe, tongue, and nation. He accomplished this ministry greatly through His apostle Paul. The specific work has been carried out by His followers ever since. We often think of overseas, cross cultural missions when we think of bringing in sheep outside of the fold, and that is very true. But what is the ultimate goal? I believe it can be lost easily by His sheep.

The goal is one flock, and one shepherd. Jesus Christ’s purpose, given by the Father, was to lay down His life that His people would be redeemed. His people can be found in all nations. But there is no outward sign that shows us who are His. We can simply share the Gospel in word and deed. The Holy Spirit is actively working in God’s people, drawing them to repentance and faith. We have been a part of that!

But it does not end here in Peru. You have the immense opportunity to be the active extensions of Christ’s work in the world – but that starts wherever you are. You are salt and light, not just when you go on mission trips or work soup kitchens or teach Sunday school – but as you live your life.

Know that the hardest people to love are not the kids here in Peru. They are easy to love. The hardest people to love are the people you see every day. They are the people who you can’t stand, the people who value things that you despise. They are often your spouses, your co-workers, and your closest friends. Leave here and love your roommate. Forgive your parents. Stop resenting your brothers and sisters. Don’t look down on people whose culture or interests you find ridiculous.

Leave Peru and continue to share Christ through word and deed. Be kind to strangers. Love your enemies. Pray for those who persecute you. God is accomplishing His work of reconciliation through you!

Thank you for serving this week. You may never see the fruit of your labors, but you may have planted seeds that will change lives forever. You may see people in heaven because of what God did this week. We may one day worship with these campers before the Throne of Grace in heaven in the same language – as one flock with One Shepherd.

About to board in Miami to New Orleans - Here are a few more snapshots from our week. More blogging and more pictures to come! Pray for the team as we process and meditate on what God did this week. Pray for quick recovery of gastro-intestinal comfort and rest as we enjoy our Sabbath day tomorrow.

"And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd." John 10:16

Our last day in Peru began with a visit to the Parish Furniture wood shop - www.parishfurniture.com. As a ministry to the men of Trujillo, the wood shop crafts high-end outdoor furniture out of sustainable Peruvian wood sources. As a community development venture, they provide men with trade skills, business skills, and Christian discipleship in a work environment. The goal is to train leaders so go out into the community as small business owners to be salt and light. Chris Bolton showed us around the shop, including the work room and wood kiln.

We then hopped on Bob to visit Wichanzao - where we got to see the medical clinic, microfinancing office, and the Wichanzao church. Once again, what a blessing to have physical needs met, community infrastructure encouraged, and Gospel ministry combined in a single location.

Clementina is an area on the outskirts of Trujillo which is essentially a squatter community. Families live on the sand in thatch dwellings and slowly aquire water, adobe houses, and other needs. Peru Mission has a church plant here - and we had the joy of putting on an impromtu VBS for the kids in the neighborhood. Walking up and down the alleys and streets, we called out to the families to invite them to the church. Around 50 kids and parents came to sing and hear the Gospel in the small church building. It was a blast!

Lunch was on the coast at a fantastic restaurant called Big Ben's - which specializes in fish. Cebeche and the best lemonade known to mankind were definitely a favorite.

Pictures to come. We're in the Lima airport waiting until our 12:00pm flight. We land in New Orleans around noon tomorrow (Saturday). Pray for smooth travel!

The last day of camp was a sad but joyous day. Relationships built with our new brothers and sisters in Christ make it difficult to leave, but knowing that we have made such an impact on their lives and the lives of their churches turns sorrow into rejoicing. Multiple Peruvian team members told us tonight at our going away despidida that they had never ministered to children before. Through this week at camp they now see gifts and needs that they never saw before. Many have gained a confirmation of God's call to minister to those around them in their own hometown.


The "North American" team has been solid as a rock all week long. They were inspiring to watch - laying down their lives for these children by serving them tirelessly. Tuan did not feel well today, but we are glad he is getting better. A few team members felt poorly at the home of the Baker's last night, but after some aqua and much needed sleep - we were ready and thrilled to have one more day to minister.





Kids love inflatables. After this morning, our male team members may not feel the same way. Due to an awkward location and lack of a forklift, a crucial inflatable (weighing around a thousand pounds) needed to be moved about 50 yards through pathways and around walls. The guys stepped in to save the day. It provided a morning and evening workout for the men on our team.


The kids wrote us individual letters and gave them to us today. It was hard to tell if we had made an impact on many of the children, but these notes were encouraging beyond words. They told us about camp being the best week of their life, about their counselor being their best friend, about how much they had learned about how to have a relationship with King Jesus.






Pray that the Holy Spirit would equip the young Peruvians of the three churches - Arevalo, Larco, and Wichanzao - to continue discipling these kids throughout the year.



Everyone is healthy and heading out to see more of Peru Mission's work tomorrow. We will run an unofficial VBS for a church plant nearby, see the woodworking shop, visit the clinic, and take a dip in the Pacific Ocean.


The children that these North American and Peruvian counselors were able to point to Christ have heard the most beautiful story every told - that of redemption in Jesus Christ. One day we hope to worship with them all before the throne of God in heaven - all in the same language.

The entrance to the new camp facility. We are surrounded by mountains and desert.

Two of our incredible leaders - Pablo and Andrew.




Another integral leader for camp - Alleen Mclain - chillin' with some penguins. Thanks for all of your hard work!



The Twin Lakes Peru Camp Team leader - Tuan La - waiting at the bus stop and enjoying the beautiful nighttime weather. This man, along with many others based in Peru, made it all happen!


Pablo playing in the pool.

Keith McDaniel - one of the most joyful women in the world. 84 years young, showing us how to do cross cultural ministry!



Muyupama - Peruvian jam extraordinaires.


Daniel Hillberry joined the band for a song or two. He was impressive!


Picture of the decade. Yes, that's an alpaca.

Lunch at Mango's in Larco Mar. Amazing food, beautiful view.



The group in front of Arevalo Church.



Morning Assembly. We begin each day with a classic Twin Lakes tunnel of excitement as each bus arrives. Pablo leads us with an amount of energy and wit that is breath-taking. He is truly doing a wonderful job as the Peruvian camp director. Allen Smith and a team of wonderfully talented musicians sing with the kids before and after the activities every day. Some favorites are the Fruit of the Spirit (translated into spanish) and a great song about allegiance to Christ that is written to the tune of the Peruvian national anthem. It is great for this year's theme of Christ's Kingship in our hearts.

From assembly we move to the activities - The pools, archery and facepainting, sports, super fun games and inflatables, and the evangelism tent and crafts. Yesterday the kids made crowns and decorated them with sticky jewels and today they made pateca (sp?), which is essentially a Brazilian hacky sack with feathers. Both were huge hits with the kids. Great job Tuan on planning out the crafts!

The enormous feat called "lunch" is accomplished through a series of shifts and schedules. The food has been great - variations of chicken and rice both days.

In the afternoon assembly we recap what the kids learned in the evangelism tent that day, with some antics and examples to spark their imaginations.

Both days have been incredibly smooth - some say the smoothest that the Twin Lakes Peru Camp have ever seen. Praise God for that!

We are about to go to the Bolton's house for dinner tonight, last night enjoying a traditional Peruvian musical performance at the Smith's house. Thank you for your prayers!

It's a beautiful day

Camp 2010 group picture!

Quick Update

There is not much time on this early Monday morning - but here is whats happenin...

- We will leave for the camp site at 7:15am Eastern. Campers are SUPPOSED to arrive at 9:00, but somehow, our brothers and sisters in Christ here in Peru arrive early for camp alone. It is just that exciting!

- The location for camp this year is brand new. It should be a blessing, but it is not as centralized as the last camp site. There are many places where you cannot see the other activity sites - so pray for camper safety!

- We have heard that there are two legitimate penguins living in a small lagoon at the camp. Who would have thought?

- There are two types of counselors for camp - activity counselors and group counselors. Activity counselors teach each period and supervise safety. The group counselor builds relationships with the kids throughout the week and facilitates safe transitions from site to site. We hope this structure leads to effective discipleship!

- Continue to pray that no one eats anything that makes them sick and for general health. We know that the Lord will provide - but we need every person we have to pull off camp!

- Today we will take a look at King Saul. The kids will make crowns in Arts and Crafts and throughout the day learn what kingship really means. Saul was outwardly impressive, but he did not obey God. Saul sought his own will and sacrificed to God to justify his actions. In response to this, God rejected him as King. {Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams...because you have rejected My words, I have also rejected you from being King. from 1st Samuel 15:22 and 23] We hope to communicate the need for Christ through revealing this sin in all of our lives. Pray that the kids would come to understand today that God does not love us or justify us based on our good deeds and work, even if done in His name. Obedience flows from gratitude for grace in Christ Jesus. Each day we will point past the story to King Jesus as the King of our Hearts.

- The team is growing together, getting adjusted, laughing more, being sleepy less, and are excited about today.

Sunday, Blessed Sunday

Latest News:

- Saturday was an incredible day - we walked around Lima, visited the Indian Market, and ate delicious Peruvian food at Mango's at Larco Mar overlooking the Pacific ocean. Everyone back home should try ceviche, which is fish "cooked" with citric acid. That's right, it looks and tastes like zesty sushi! A few of the team members were a little hesitant - as should be expected.

- We were blessed to find the two missing bags with our other luggage once we landed in Trujillo! Tuan and Krystin are relieved. Thanks for your prayers. Elias in Bob the Bus and a fleet of taxis were waiting for us in the airport parking lot to bring us to the hotel. We will be spending a good bit of quality time with Bob the Bus. He's a pleasant fellow.

- Tuan, Andrew, Zack, Alleen, and Pablo (the Peru Camp Director) met last night while the team prepared camp supplies. The opportunity to teach and nurture these churches in camping ministry is thrilling. There are of course many details and a new location that will require more time and planning, but casting the vision of sharing Christ in word and deed is what we hope to accomplish. Proverbs 29:18 tells us that “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Pray that we would not miss the purpose and life of camp - the faithfulness of God manifested in the serving of children for the sake of their salvation. Pray also that we would share that vision effectively: in word and by example.

- Once we settle into a schedule, we'll be able to post some pictures!

- This morning we have the pleasure of worshiping with Arevalo church. We'll meet many of our Peruvian brothers and sisters in Christ for the first time.

- Everyone on the team is doing great! We're adjusting to a different culture and adapting to different habits and customs. Pray that God would use this time to make us faithful to Him and not to our comforts.

“All is quiet on New Years’ day”

8:37pm. January 1st, 2010. Happy New Year! A few staff celebrated with a bonfire and fireworks at the bonfire site at Twin Lakes. The trip began as early as 4:15am the next morning for some of the team – with a hearty breakfast of Twin Lakes biscuits, sausage, orange juice, and of course, Community coffee! By 6:15am we were on our way to New Orleans.

Praise God for smooth travel on the way to the airport. With stops in Crystal Springs and Brookhaven, we picked up a few team members. The parking lot of Grace Presbyterian Church served as the first stage of summer camp in Peru – we joined hands in the biting wind and went before the Lord as a group to ask that His will be done through this trip.

All passports were remembered, all bags fit the weight requirements, all immune systems are in working order, and all of us are on a Boeing 767 heading towards Lima, Peru. God is good! Everything has gone according to plan! But please pray that we would remember that perfect logistical actualization is not a necessity for God’s will to be accomplished through this trip. Pray that we would be mindful that God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness and even in our trials. So whether it’s a small detail or a significant change in itinerary – pray that we would be humble and Christ-like in our responses.

This week we are pointing the kids towards Christ through the story of David and Goliath. How beautiful that God shows His own glory through weak vessels! How amazing that God can accomplish great things through the unfit, unqualified, and undeserving! In a world of appearances, praise God that though man looks on the outward appearance – God looks on the heart. Through Christ’s work and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, He has made a way for our sinful hearts to be something beautiful to look at once again. I hope that we can proclaim this message boldly in word and in our actions this week.





Quickfacts:


- So far, Mary Palmer’s favorite things are airport security and oatmeal chewies
- We enjoyed serenading the airport terminal with Twin Lakes musical arrangements for mandolin and guitar of Pachelbel, Canon in D, Miley Cyrus, and great hymns of the faith.

January 2nd Morning Update:We are eating breakfast in our hotel in Lima! Most of us were able to get to bed at around 2:00am. Two bags were lost - pray that they would be found before we leave Lima. About to head to the Indian Market here in Lima for a day to get to know the culture of Peru.