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August 2008 Dear Icthus Friend, When you were a child, did you have an exciting camp experience? If so, I’m sure you can imagine how much more exciting it would be for a poor child in Latin America to go to camp. Icthus leaders testify that camps are not only fun for the children, but they are also a very effective way of helping them grow. Shortly after I sent out the June newsletter, an Icthus friend called to say that he liked the article on the impact that camps have. He wanted to know how much a campership cost. When I told him that a campership is only $20, he exclaimed, “Is that all!” I explained that we encourage Icthus leaders and children to do fundraising projects to reduce camp costs. Also, because the camps are more rustic and mostly volunteer run, they are not as costly as those in the US. However, despite all their best efforts, numerous children still can’t afford to go. Their families are too poor. We started the campership project to help these children by providing scholarships of at least half the cost of the camps. Immediately, my friend said, “I want to give camperships for five children.” Last year Icthus organized camping for 117 groups of children – what an impact that made on hundreds of kids! There are camps throughout the year in Latin America, depending on the country. The next camp is from September 14th to the 17th in Mexico. It will be for the Icthus group from a children’s home in Aguascalientes. I reported on this group last month. You may remember reading about one of the children there named Marquitos. He would have died if it hadn’t been for the donation of a kidney from a local church member. The children in this home come from terrible situations of abuse and abandonment by their parents. Several months ago, Icthus leaders for this group brought tents to the children’s home. Fifteen of the children had a mini campout in the patio – they had never slept in a tent before and they loved it. A few weeks ago, when they were told they would receive camperships to go to a real camp they were very excited. Read what they said below. Friend, there are many other children in Latin America who yearn for this experience too. It costs so little to help them. Additional camperships are needed. One more exciting thing! Last month I shared about two families who are providing up to $3,000 in matching gifts to those who help Icthus groups as Padrinos. They are extending this offer to other projects as well. They will match dollar-for-dollar donations that are above and beyond regular giving during this time. Your gift for any Icthus project will bring another equal gift so that more children can have the blessing of the Icthus ministry. Aguascalientes Camp Goals: Through activities, games, and small and large group times the children: • Will be reminded that God is always with them and that they can depend on Him. • Will be challenged to read their Bibles and pray every day • Will learn how to work together in teams despite their differences.WHAT THE KIDS FROM THE CHILDREN’S HOME SAY “I was recently operated on (kidney transplant), but I will try my best to get the most out of the camp. It will be my first camp and I am very excited about all the things that I am going to learn while there.” - Marquitos “I give thanks to God for the help that I have received to be able to go to camp. I was very sad because I thought that I would not be able to go. I promise to behave and learn a lot. I am excited to go with my friends from the children’s home, because we don’t get to leave very often.” – Adriana “I want to thank Icthus for helping me be able to go to my first camp. I am grateful to God for placing people in my life to help me take part in this camp.” - Francisco What adventures, learning, and stories will they have? We are praying that the camp will be a blessing and wonderful growing experience for them. Do you want to make a big difference in someone’s life? Help a child. Thank you and may the Lord bless you,
PS: The matching gift will double what you give. Your gift can be for camperships, Padrinos, a specific country, or for Icthus to be used where needed most.
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