Greetings, June, 2005

I rolled into camp about noon on Saturday after a long drive south along the Baja coastline. After driving through Tijuana, it's the beautiful blue Pacific coast all the way to Ensanada and then a half an hour East and I was at camp Agua Viva (Camp of Living Water.) Before I even parked, several kids came running up the dirt road to greet me with broad smiles and excitement in their eyes, "Von, you going to be at camp?" They asked. I assured them I would be there at least for the day.

Camp is so exciting to these kids! You can feel the energy. No complaints from them. Hot or cold, wet or dry, rain or shine, camp is camp and they love it. Like little ants they crawl all over the hillsides of this small camp exploring every tree and rock.

Camp is away from the city. Camp is fun. Camp is lots of kids. Camp is good food and plenty of it. Camp is living in a well built cabin and having a real bed and even toilets and hot showers. Camp is run by Christian men and boys. Camp seems to be everything home isn't.

To see these hundred and sixty kids from the streets and poor neighborhoods eat good meals, splash in the small swimming pool, play games and even enjoy chapel because, well, it's fun too.

In six chapel sessions during the weekend, we share the Gospel and the love of God on their level. As a result, many kids responded to follow Jesus. At camp we can get their ear like no other time.

Camp is a team effort from start to finish. Work and planning begin months before camp. Food, recreation, housing, transportation, speakers and programming with plenty of prayer make a successful weekend.

Many of you took part too. You're part of the team. Where would we be without your prayers? Camp costs more than four thousand dollars and that money came from you. This is your report and I hope these pictures will give you some idea of your investment in these kids lives.

Thanks for your part with us.

For all of us, Pastor von