International Extreme Camp

March 14th, 2008 it has been the first camp of 2008 of the International Extreme Camp – Lake Yure and we thank God for what he has done. Our main theme was “No Paradigms”. A paradigm is a theory, law or regulation in an institution such as a church. This paradigm may be: That you have to wear certain clothes to church, you have got to have music playing when you worship God and all the YOU HAVES in the church that may not be biblical. There’s a new pact with Jesus, where it’s about relationship and just chasing after Him. Also a paradigm can be your own fears that say that you will never accomplish anything. We want kids to face their giants, no matter how big they are because God is bigger than that giant.

With our staff we had six in logistics, four team leaders, eight guides in the tents, three cooks, two counselors, one doctor, two camera men, one on the worship team, Assistant Director, and the Camp Director.  Lots of planning, promoting, video editing, praying and fasting were done with so much love and a high standard of excellence for the forty youth that came from Tegucigalpa, Las Conchas, Santa Elena and even Puerto Cortes. They all came to experience something different, out of the ordinary and extreme.At six o’clock we ignited with our program with a nice welcoming, a time of prayer, some basic instructions, games and dinner. We could already feel the different ambience with lots energy, passion, fellowship and kids just wanting more of God. Thank God for that great gift.

Early in the morning on Saturday at five o’clock we could hear the siren. It was time to get up, spend ten minutes in prayer and run the obstacle course in the dark. Four teams started running that course with lots of enthusiasm. We also try to hit three main objectives at our camps through everything we do: Faith, Character and Sports. At our 8 foot wall which we call “The Wall of Pride” where kids team up to climb that wall as a team, we could hear some of them saying: “I can’t do this” or “I’m too small” or “I’m too heavy” but at the same time we could see them letting their fears aside, giving it all and to just keep running no matter what. At end of the course, most of them were tired but they could clearly see the reward at the end to see their whole team make it through together and enjoy the victory of defeating all their fears.

Through all the team competitions, teachings and tests of physical ability we could see laughter and joy through their eyes and smiles.  

The night was falling and it was getting close for our encounter with God that night.At seven o’clock that evening, we headed down through the trail that took us to where would show a movie that we would use as an illustrated message, a true story that would touch their hearts and make them think about what do about their giants. “Facing the Giants” was the movie that we selected since it had to do a lot with our main theme for our camp where a High School American Football coach has to face his own fears to show his team what it’s like when God is on your side.  At the end of the movie, we had all the kids write down on a piece of paper what were the giants in their life that they wanted to conquer and defeat. After that, we had them walk down by the lake where we had set fire wood and a thin cable to ignite the fire. We asked for fire from the Holy Spirit to purify our hearts and the bonfire was lit by our logistics staff by sending down from a tree a medium size cotton ball with fuel. After a precious time in the Lord, we had all the kids come to a bonfire and throw their papers in the fire. Their fears, sorrows and pain were left behind. The night continued with prayer where our Reverend Miguel Pinell , his wife Nilsa Pinell and Pastor Alfredo Reconco prayed and ministered the youth. Peace and restoration was found in a moment of desperation. Many of them said that they never knew the Father as they know Him now because now they feel important to Him and the majority of them said that they felt that now they can do anything through Christ Jesus. After a night of splendor and fellowship in the Lord, everyone went to bed right at midnight.

Sunday was an early morning as well. It was the same time to wake up for everyone at the camp. It was five o’clock when the siren went off again. You could just feel the desire to give your best to the extreme and you could see it in their attitude. That morning we spoke more about having no paradigms in your life that could be an obstacle between them and God. A small teaching but very significant. But more team work teaching came along while playing Extreme Frisbee, which is a game similar to American Football. Faith, Character and Sports continued to be our goal to reach a higher standard.

The afternoon came and right after lunch they headed back to our tents to start packing. Mixed feelings filled the air since most of them wanted to go home but still had memories to be attached to at the camp and didn’t want to leave. As staff, we felt tired but we had made new friends and didn’t want to say “goodbye”. We got all the trucks ready. Bags were packed. No one could leave before we prayed and after reminding them about never losing their faith because those giants would always be there chasing them but that’s why they needed to chase after God. Tears filled some faces, smiles for most of them while the trucks drove out the International Extreme Camp and it has been another confirmation for us that the youth in Honduras are hungry for something different that they cannot find somewhere else but in Jesus. We thank Him for the opportunity of using us and bringing us all here to make a difference in the new generation that will rise up in a strong spiritual revolution.

Please pray for all the IEC (International Extreme Camp) needs. We thank God for everything that we already have and we want to thank you all for your prayers and support. We thank everyone in Heart to Honduras for providing us with a new generator that has provided electricity for our bathrooms and small chapel area. We have a small shack for our temporary clinic. But we would like for you to pray for our water sports section since we are in need of at least four kayaks for our extreme competitions. Again, we thank God for what He has already done and provided through you. Blessings from ICE!