Greetings all!
We trust you all are enjoying your summer! With this update we wanted to focus on the “youth.” The youth have been a huge concern for our maturing churches as they seek to meet the spiritual needs of the youth in a fast-changing world. When we first moved into the tribe the outside world was basically an unknown world. Kids grew up in the tribe, they became farmers just like their parents and the cycle went on. But not anymore.
The outside world has come to them – a good majority now have cell phones, Starlink is providing internet service to the most remote of regions, many of the youth are no longer interested in being farmers like their parents but seeking high school and higher education in the city and studying different professions. We realize that these youth are the future of the church thus the challenge lies before the churches to see that their kids get the the spiritual preparation they need – first in the villages where they are being raised and then in the city where they are receiving higher education.
The churches have invited us to be a part of helping with their youth and with that we have delegated some of our missionary team to focus on the youth. One of the many things we have started is an annual “Youth Easter Camp” which includes youth from 3 different tribal groups on our island. This year it was held in the Wana tribe and Geoff and I were able to be a part of this. What a blessing for us to see hundreds of youth gathered together in one place- remembering back 40 years ago when this type of an event was not even dreamed of yet. We could only stand in awe and praise the Lord for what HE has done in the hearts and lives of these people. Below and few images to help you better visualize this huge event.
WELCOME to Youth Camp
Tents had to be constructed
Youth from three different tribal groups each making a “boys tent” and a “girls tent”
The makeshift outhouse could not be forgotten
A temporary stage was constructed complete with sound system which was used for leading the teaching and singing.
Teaching took place each morning followed by afternoon sports events
What a wonderful blessing to see hundreds of youth present for this big event!
Each village captured a photo of their youth present – You might be able to see Geoff and I in the center.
Thanks again for being a part of this great ministry!
Blessings,
Ed & Jeanne Casteel
Church Planting Asia Pacific
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