July 24, 2004
A Little Dreaming
We just got back from a week-long ministry at camp BaYouCa, immediately preceded by a week-long ministry at camp Lamoka. All this association with camps has had the inevitable effect of making me dream about possible camp ministry in Maranhão, Brazil. Bear with me as I put some of my camp dreams in writing.
My dream is for a camp somewhere in the rural area of central Maranhão, accessible, but with room to grow and expand. It would be divided into various sections, which would be connected by a system of trails, roads, and (this is really outside the box!) a small railroad or monorail.
Here is a rundown of the sections:
Conference Center
This would consist of a large auditorium, as well as lodging facilities capable of housing participants of a conference. I want it to be big enough to host the national association of Regular Baptist churches in Brazil, as well as local association meetings and pastor's conferences. This would make the facility of great benefit, not only for the churches in Maranhão, but also to the rest of Brazil.
Retreat Center
A place where pastors, missionaries, and Christian workers, and their families can come to get away from the pressures of ministry. Places like this exist in the US, but I know of none that exist in Brazil (although it is possible, Brazil is a big place!).
Campground
This would be the where normal, week-long camp programs for children would be held. It would consist of cabins, a chapel, a cantina, a dining area, a pool, and other localized activities (like carpetball, to which I was introduced this week). This section of the camp would be run by a program director who would oversee a staff of counselors and support staff, similar to camps here in the US. Each day, different groups of kids could take advantage of the various facets of the Activity Center (see below).
Activity Zone
This would be a large geographical area dedicated to various activities which could be used by various facets of the camp ministry. Below are some examples of activities I envision for this section:
go-karts
Bible trails
wilderness survival
paint ball
Frisbee golf
obstacle courses (various difficulties)
four-wheeling
camping trips
horseback riding
nature building (to educate campers and visitors about surrounding flora and fauna)
Fun Zone
An amusement park-esq section where kids can come and be kids. It would serve as an outlet for the energy of the campers (and also the children of Christian workers staying in the retreat center).
Missionary Training
This would be a section dedicated to the training of missionaries. Brazilians (and others) could come there for training in such areas as cross cultural relations, survival, teamwork, and language. One of the major things I would like to do with the camp as a whole is encourage people from the US and elsewhere to come and participate in the camp ministry--and be challenged for foreign missions. Perhaps we could work with Bible colleges here to offer credits for the time (although one thing I do NOT want to do is start a Bible college).
Skills such as puppetry, chalk art, drama, and singing could be developed here as well.
City of Refuge
This is a little hazy in my thinking, but I would like to see a self-sufficient community where the disenfranchised of Brazilian society could come, live, and learn an occupation. It would actually be a small village where they could learn community skills, and get good, solid Bible teaching, with the goal of making them productive, Christian members of society.
Basic Training
This would be a place for young men to come and learn survival skills, search and rescue techniques, as well as physical and mental disciplines. Kind of a non-military basic training. This idea is also not firmly formed in my head, but I have in mind training Brazilian men to be men. The ATI ALERT program is what made me think of this...but I do not want to associate it with them or copy them.
So there you have it. That is my dream, in a nutshell. Do you think it is too big? Are you interested? Do you have any ideas? Do you want to help make it a reality? I would love to hear your thoughts.
Posted by Andrew on July 24, 2004 5:05 PM.
Comments
Posted by: Debbie Riddle at July 25, 2004 1:54 PM
wow andrew.. i have been thinking about how you wanted a camp in brazil.. and i was talking to Sam.. (which you already know)
i want to go to college for camp minsitry and missionary work.. or something like that.. at least.. right now.. i am leaning towards that
ill be praying for ya
Shanna
Posted by: Shannarie at July 25, 2004 5:21 PM
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Andrew,
I think your dream camp is wonderful and I truly believe that God is working out that plan even now, He's putting together the people and the resources for this to become a reality-maybe that is why you and Tassie are still here in the United States-so that God can put you (or those close to you) in contact with the very people that He has orchestrated to put this all together. I pray that me and my family will be a large part of helping you realize this dream in whatever way that God sees fit. We will definately hold you and Tassie and your visions for Brazil up in prayer. I believe that God brings different people into our lives for specific reasons that He uses to not only bring about His will in our lives but others as well.
Anyway it great to see the visions and dreams that God has placed in your heart and it will be even greater to see these things take place in the near future.
We love you guys and miss you greatly,
Love and prayers,
Debbie