West Colonial Hills Returns for Basketball Camp
See Pictures Below
During the week of May 10-17, we had the privilege of having West Colonial Hills Baptist Church from Kingsport, TN, working in Uruguay. It was a special blessing for our family because this is our home church in the states. The team of 9 members planned and carried out a basketball camp in the Old City area of Montevideo. This same church had been here last year working with GAP in the same part of the city and wanted to come back and work with the children again.
Throughout the week there were over 70 kids who participated in the camp. Jerry Taylor did a great job organizing and teaching the basic skills of basketball to kids who have never had an opportunity to be a part of such an event. It was also an awesome experience for the youth of our church to take part and work along side the team from WCH. There were 11 youth who came to work and many of them were able to be there every day. It was as much of a blessing for them as for the kids in the Old City.
During the week, there was a time each day for a testimony from one of team members. The children were very attentive during this time and we rejoice that 13 prayed to receive Christ during the week. The group also took time during their lunch break to share their faith on the streets and tell people the reason they were in Uruguay. On the final day, the parents were invited to watch their children compete in tournaments. Many attended and they too were able to hear the gospel message.
In the weeks that have followed, many of the children have continued to come on Sunday afternoons to a children’s club in the Old City that the youth from the church provide. They have been able to have continued contact with some of the mothers as well. Last Sunday, one of the youth, Pablo Barreda, who worked in the camp, was killed tragically at the children’s club. His life had had a great impact on the children and families who live in the Old City. He died doing what he loved – serving God through his work with the kids. Many of the children and their mothers attended his funeral yesterday. Please pray that through his life’s testimony, and the work that was able to be accomplished during this basketball camp, many will come to know Christ.
During the week of May 10-17, we had the privilege of having West Colonial Hills Baptist Church from Kingsport, TN, working in Uruguay. It was a special blessing for our family because this is our home church in the states. The team of 9 members planned and carried out a basketball camp in the Old City area of Montevideo. This same church had been here last year working with GAP in the same part of the city and wanted to come back and work with the children again.
Throughout the week there were over 70 kids who participated in the camp. Jerry Taylor did a great job organizing and teaching the basic skills of basketball to kids who have never had an opportunity to be a part of such an event. It was also an awesome experience for the youth of our church to take part and work along side the team from WCH. There were 11 youth who came to work and many of them were able to be there every day. It was as much of a blessing for them as for the kids in the Old City.
During the week, there was a time each day for a testimony from one of team members. The children were very attentive during this time and we rejoice that 13 prayed to receive Christ during the week. The group also took time during their lunch break to share their faith on the streets and tell people the reason they were in Uruguay. On the final day, the parents were invited to watch their children compete in tournaments. Many attended and they too were able to hear the gospel message.
In the weeks that have followed, many of the children have continued to come on Sunday afternoons to a children’s club in the Old City that the youth from the church provide. They have been able to have continued contact with some of the mothers as well. Last Sunday, one of the youth, Pablo Barreda, who worked in the camp, was killed tragically at the children’s club. His life had had a great impact on the children and families who live in the Old City. He died doing what he loved – serving God through his work with the kids. Many of the children and their mothers attended his funeral yesterday. Please pray that through his life’s testimony, and the work that was able to be accomplished during this basketball camp, many will come to know Christ.
posted by Paul Sheaffer at
3:00 PM
