Date: March 22, 2014
From: Nampa, Idaho. USA.
Email: warriorcamp1@yahoo.com
From: Nampa, Idaho. USA.
Email: warriorcamp1@yahoo.com
Hello Warrior Nation!
I hope you're doing well! This is pretty crazy, but 1 month ago today was our 1st International Warrior Camp! (Still can't believe it). God opened up an opportunity for Warrior Camp to link up and become part of a mission trip across the ocean to Senegal, Africa, from February 14 - March 1, 2014. So we did! There were some unique challenges since we wanted to offer 2 Warrior Camp Events in 2 days, with limited space, budget, and game equipment (that was also durable), and we wanted to offer it completely free for all the boys. If that wasn't enough, we also wanted to empower local, Christian Senegalese ministry workers to run Warrior Camp itself while we were there, so that if it proved to be an effective ministry in their cultural context, they could repeat it in the future. So yeah, all of those goals definitely remind me of the verse that says, "With man, this is impossible, but with God all things are possible"! We knew there were some obvious challenges and obstacles that stood in the way, and we also encountered some less obvious challenges that we didn't anticipate. But we experienced (again) that God is an amazing Provider, and to His credit, He blessed our efforts and we were able to accomplish all of these goals for His glory, and I can now see how He was leading us up to this moment, even though we were (and still are!) surprised at what He had up His sleeve!
At Warrior Camp (renamed "Camp de Flambeau" in Senegal) we had the opportunity to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with a big group of boys/youth in the capital city of Dakar. Dakar is the gateway to west Africa, and has nearly 4 million people, about 95% of which are reported to be Muslim, meaning there's a very real chance that, after our crazy games and intense blow gun wars, several muslim boys heard the gospel of Jesus Christ. And with the Christian boys in the remote village of Baad, we had the opportunity to encourage them to never stop growing (much like a big, strong African Baobab tree) in their walk with Jesus Christ. One Senegalese leader expressed deep gratitude over and over, for the games, the leaders, and for the activities the boys got to experience, expressing that his heart is very full. It was an unforgettable, special, sacred time together, and full of God's heart for each boy. Everything is sinking in, and I feel like 1/2 of me is still in Africa! But feel free to check out some of our "Warrior Camp: Africa" highlight pics and videos below. We also were able to donate all our game equipment to the Christian District in Senegal, so they can use it for ministry and other Warrior Camp events in the future. Huge thanks to Tim Eby, Jim Franklin, and our whole camp team (Curt, Fernando, Jason, Jeremy, Jesse, my Dad, Louis Pierre, Solomon, both Michaels, John-John, Ida, and everyone else who helped) for making this possible. To all the boys and people of Senegal, we love you, and so does God! He knows your name. Thanks so much to everyone for your prayers...God is on the move, and ever-awesome. To God be the glory!
At Warrior Camp (renamed "Camp de Flambeau" in Senegal) we had the opportunity to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with a big group of boys/youth in the capital city of Dakar. Dakar is the gateway to west Africa, and has nearly 4 million people, about 95% of which are reported to be Muslim, meaning there's a very real chance that, after our crazy games and intense blow gun wars, several muslim boys heard the gospel of Jesus Christ. And with the Christian boys in the remote village of Baad, we had the opportunity to encourage them to never stop growing (much like a big, strong African Baobab tree) in their walk with Jesus Christ. One Senegalese leader expressed deep gratitude over and over, for the games, the leaders, and for the activities the boys got to experience, expressing that his heart is very full. It was an unforgettable, special, sacred time together, and full of God's heart for each boy. Everything is sinking in, and I feel like 1/2 of me is still in Africa! But feel free to check out some of our "Warrior Camp: Africa" highlight pics and videos below. We also were able to donate all our game equipment to the Christian District in Senegal, so they can use it for ministry and other Warrior Camp events in the future. Huge thanks to Tim Eby, Jim Franklin, and our whole camp team (Curt, Fernando, Jason, Jeremy, Jesse, my Dad, Louis Pierre, Solomon, both Michaels, John-John, Ida, and everyone else who helped) for making this possible. To all the boys and people of Senegal, we love you, and so does God! He knows your name. Thanks so much to everyone for your prayers...God is on the move, and ever-awesome. To God be the glory!
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...Warrior Camp Pictures...
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| How to Win @ Blow Gun Wars! Baad Village, Senegal. Africa. February 23, 2014 |
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| Preparing for Battle! Baad Village, Senegal. Africa. February 23, 2014 |
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| WARRIOR CAMP Group Photo Baad Village, Senegal. Africa. February 23, 2014 |
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| WARRIOR CAMP Group Photo Dakar, Senegal. Africa. February 22, 2014 |
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| Final Warrior Camp Rally Most Important Part of the Day: Sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ w/ the boys! Dakar, Senegal. Africa. February 22, 2014 |
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| Looks like our group is growing! |
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...Warrior Camp Videos (Raw Footage)...
Africa Warrior ShoutOut 2014!
Location: Dakar, Senegal. Africa.
Date: February 22, 2014.
Event: WARRIOR CAMP ShoutOut Challenge!
Objective: Who are the loudest Warriors in the World?
20 feet
20+ seconds
Ages: Boys and Teens, estimated at ages 5-20+
Participation: Approximately 51 Campers + 2 Leaders
Loud Meter Peak (Excluding Outside Interference): 98.2 Decibels
Chant = "SE-NE-GAL"
Senegal Warriors...LIKE A BOSS!
Africa Warrior ShoutOut 2014!
Date: February 22, 2014.
Event: WARRIOR CAMP ShoutOut!
Objective: Who are the loudest Warriors in the World?
20 feet
20+ seconds (or longer! They sounded so good and were having so much fun I couldn't cut em off too soon! :)
Results @ 2:26
Ages: Approximately 6-11 years old.
Participation: 25 boys + 7 Leaders
Loud Meter Peak: 100.2 Decibels
Location: Near Fissel @ Baad Village, Senegal. Africa.
Chant = "FI-SSEL!"
Senegal Village Warriors...Defeatin' Dakar!
Dakar, Senegal. Africa.
WARRIOR CAMP Tug-O-War
February 22, 2014
"Could play a note on that rope!"
Baad Village, Senegal. Africa.
WARRIOR CAMP Blow Gun Wars!
February 23, 2014
"Baad boys, Baad boys. What'cha gonna do when they come for you?!"
Dakar, Senegal. Africa.
WARRIOR CAMP Blow Gun Wars!
February 22, 2014
"Let it rain ammo!"
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Thank you again for praying for our team!
Dream big, cause our God is big and truly awesome, and God bless!
Derek
Isaiah 40:28-31
PS: To all our Senegal brothers and sisters, we miss you and are praying for you! Through Jesus Christ, we'll see you in heaven, if not before!
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