Touchdown Camp

We have a start of a core of dedicated volunteers for the work in San Jose but we need a few more to launch a program this fall. The likely program will be an after school tutoring program with sports and music. The group may also decide to have a larger sports camp in time à la Redwood City.

l. Do you like to do hospitality? We need a few people to invite us in to present the work.

2. Do you own a business? We need some people to get underneath this work in finances.

3.  Do you have leadership skills and some time?  Do you care about children?

4. Is your group looking for a speaker? We would like to talk to you.

Please contact: Joyce Dueker (JoyceDue@aol.com)  San Jose board advisor. We need you.

4. Do you like to help in sports or academics?  We are going to need you this fall.

Project Lost Sheep has had a large year. We thank God who has enabled us, because of His mercy and love, to provide camp for the maximum number at Verbo Church in Redwood City.  The average attendance was the highest ever..over 150 per day… and the response to the gospel was overwhelming.

We had over 50 volunteers, many from Verbo youth, who enabled us to provide this day camp for children 6-11.

Highlights of camp included: daily Bible teaching under Darlene Stethem and team. Extra activities including the largest ever dance group. Sports again at the local school with an expanded program including basketball.

Patty Cardona and family all participated in camp and it was powerful to see all of them up front for one of the encouraging talks.

Each day the children heard a different speaker encourage them to stay in school. We heard from a nurse who travels and works in emergency rooms. The children got to participate in a “game” that taught them what that was like.  The impact of these talks can only be imagined in a child’s heart.

A highlight for me was seeing the opening of the after school program for 25 campers from the previous year.  The tutoring in English and math has made an impact on families (see my November blog). The funding for this program came through a large church come alongside and we trust that corporate giving and more churches involvement may help this program to continue. (see blog).

We are starting work in San Jose where there is a need similar to what we saw before.  Again, friends, including Sue Thompson, an experienced missionary is helping point me in the right directions for what will be work down here.

God has been faithful to us in every step since the inception of this ministry. God does not change. He is our rock and will continue to help the poor and the oppressed.

If there is one thing that really has been underlined for me this year it is the importance of Christians really being in deep community with each other. The miracles we need will be seen as we start to really be in real, caring and close community with each other. I can’t help but think that God smiles whenever He sees our feeble efforts knowing that He will work through all of us to do something mighty for the Kingdom of God.  The other thing underlined is that God doesn’t mind small. He Himself came down as an infant to do the mighty things that we all needed.

Get closer to your Christian friends.  Dream bigger dreams.  Take a few faith steps together.  Wait and see what our Mighty God can do.

Joyce Dueker