Kandy Childrens Camp - WOW!

Kandy Camp - This was the big event of the trip. It has been organised by Shanthi and a local team of pastors and children's workers. They had spent months preparing and praying for it. The original number of children was set at 200 - however more and more children were added and eventually when over 300 had applied, applications had to be closed. We ended up with 350 people attending - children and leaders. The first night was somewhat chaotic with children settling in and beds being organised. But the conference was an incredible time. Particular highlights were the singing times - 400 people - when everyone was there, singing at the top of their lungs. What an awesome time it was. For the evening rally - the children were all holding pom poms on sticks and it was an amazing sight. The children all participated fully in every part - the action songs, the anthem songs and the worshipful songs. There was times of prayer and free worship and we were all inspired and moved by the fervour of the children to praise God.
The craftwork for the camp was a calico bag for each camper which they decorated with paint. The children spent quite a long time designing their pictures and then painting them carefully. The artwork was really good - Ben commented that his art teacher would be very impressed and he took lots of photos to bring back. When they were dry, many of the campers were carrying them with them everywhere they went.
The KidsReach Sri Lankan team were so very impressive - this was for them a conference similar to Australia's Hillsong conference. The local team lead with passion and dedication - always giving 110%. There was not much sleep happening - but we know one thing - lives were changed!
The evening meetings were a time when the Holy Spirit moved - and we all sensed that the second night was a crucial meeting. During the day we heard of a number of unfortunate events - a young boy had a broken arm in the games time, Dhanushka was confined to bed for the day after an issue with his throat. We had a real sense that Satan was really working to disrupt what was to take place. David gave a salvation message in the evening rally. Just as he was calling children who had put up their hands in response to pray the sinners prayer - there was some sizzling noises from outside on the street and a few seconds later, with an almighty bang and a brilliant flash of light, and transformer on the street beside us blew up! The prayerful mood was instantly broken and the children were all jumping up to look. We knew immediately that this was a spiritual attack. David and the leaders called everyone to focus back to the front, and in a minute the children were again quiet and we were able to continue. About half the children put up their hands - and despite not knowing just what they were responding to - whether it was a first time commitment or rededicating their lives to Jesus. It was an awesome response and their was a definite sense as the camp proceeded that many children had been impacted by the evening.

The theme of the camp was a jointly - The Father's Heart and World Changers. In talking with many of the leaders and team - there is a sense that this is the beginning of a change for the future of Sri Lanka. That these children will indeed go onto make a huge impact of their communities and on the whole nation.

Here are some of the comments...
"Children's hearts changed. One day they will be happy about this camp - will make a big impact on Sri Lanka. Children responded that they really enjoyed the camp and were challenged to believe that they could really be worldchangers. Kids were thinking that they weren't good enough - but they have realised that God's purpose for their life is to be a world- changers." Kobi - Tamil translator - KR Sri Lanka team.

"Holy Spirit moved on the children - many children were healed - from inside hurts.
Children realised their destiny - revival will come to Sri Lanka because of these children." - Asela - Graphic Designer and Youth worker, KR team, Sri Lanka team.

"We had prayed that we wanted to see the children worship God and that in this way, the power of darkness will be broken and children will be released. There was a good balance at the camp - fun but also the word of God. Many people commented that it was so good. Prayers of the people were answered as the camp. There were no complaints for people - the food and the accomodation were good. The teamwork amongst the churches in Kandy is building. Many pastors were there. Support for KidsReach is growing in many churches. Team worked well together - each person was given a part of the program was to pray for. The children praying around the map of Sri Lanka was very powerful." Shanthi - KidsReach Director Sri Lanka.

ESCAPE camp - our smallest children's camp. I'll let you know how we go but we are all looking forward to it.

Please keep praying - this is a camp with lots of broken children and we are really looking to God to work in a miraculous way to restore them. Thank you also for you patience with the photo's - keep checking back as there will be more to come.