What are your memories of summer camp? Perhaps fresh air, cabins, swimming, a dining hall, and a delightful slate of interesting activities? Many blind Philippine students would probably say something similar (for some past camp images, look here). Perhaps even more so for often-isolated blind kids, camp has been a life-giving travel experience for many in past years.
But not this year. The Philippines is grinding through a second year of closed schools, food shortages, and COVID lockdowns with no end in sight. Because of this, the blind disciplemakers are unable to visit their students and young adults. However, they are committed to their students' discipleship and growth, so they had to think outside the box.
The result is Online Camp 2021: “Stand still at the center of God’s will” – a two-and-a-half day audio conference that blind "campers" will attend from tiny rooms or beneath shade trees scattered across this island nation, using their own or borrowed phones. Activities will include daily Scripture encouragement, singing, small group breakouts, a talent show, Scripture memory contests, games, a Sunday worship service, and a closing program and celebration. I’m so encouraged by the work the disciplemakers have done to pull this together, even budgeting to subsidize phone charges for many young blind folk for whom that would be an insurmountable obstacle.
Would you pray that the Lord would honor the desire of their hearts and meet them September 24-26 in a unique and profound way in this challenging format? And that He would perhaps reach some that would never travel to a conventional camp? May He be pleased to do beyond what we can ask or think!
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