Here Again

Hey guys!
Again, sorry it's been so long in between my writing. Well, since Denver it has been great. Through the past 5 camp weeks we have had 3 people come to Christ, all of them with very difficult home lives. One boy was an atheist, another girl has parents who are on drugs and her home life is really rough, and just recently another girl came to Christ. She also has a hard home life as well. One of the girls here was in a gang and after being here she wants to get out. Please pray for her, because getting out of gangs is not as easy as it seems. Many people actually get killed when they try to get out of that lifestyle. There was one boy here who's story brought us all to tears. He has grown up with a mom who was addicted to cocaine and an absent father. His aunt raised him after his mom didn't want him anymore and his uncle mistreated he and his brother. He doesn't have any family besides them and they don't even feed or clothe them. He has pretty much been fending for himself and his brother since he was little. His brother is now in jail, but what is so amazing is that this boy's faith has remained so strong through it all. He is only 17 and he wants so badly for his parents and brother to see him graduate but they won't be there. These are the kinds of hardships that these kids are going through. It breaks my heart, but God is showing me His heart for His people through this and it is so awesome! I love urban ministry and it has become close to my heart. God has begun to develop a deep compassion in me for people and I can only give Him the glory for it. I am so excited to hear what He is doing in these young student's lives. I have heard back from a few of my campers by email when I had the chance to check it a few weeks ago. Camp has been wonderful and a life changing experience. I love all the students that come here. Two weeks ago on the fourth of July, one of the guys from Snowridge, Brian, invited us all to go to his house to celebrate the 4th. It was awesome. His family was so kind to us and we got to go see real fireworks. When we got home, we were refreshed and ready for the next group of campers. I just want you guys to know that this has been the most amazing summer of my life. Here in the mountains away from the world, awesome things happen and God really moves. These children have tough lives, but when they go back, they carry with them a hope that will last eternity. Pray for them as they return back to a place where gangs are prevalent, drugs are all around them, and they are being told daily that they will never amount to anything. Also pray for us as we have one more week of camp after mentoring week this week, that we will remain strong and that God will give us energy and love to be all we can be for these kids and not slack off the last week. We are all so exhausted, but it is so rewarding. I can't wait to come home, but I'm going to miss this camp and all these people so much! Thank you all who have stuck by me through all of this and have supported me! I love you!
Amanda