Year two!

The first day of camp is going incredible! We have already had one dinner dance party, and the first night of dodgeball has just begun! The kids are having a blast and have already spent countless hours at the gaga pit. There is just so much to look forward to in the week; The fun, the lessons, and the conversations that we will have with kids. This is only my second year here, and it is already starting to feel like my third home(swamp being second and home being first)
Please continue to pray for safety and that God will work miracles at this camp.

-Kevin Burnham (counselor)

Day -1 of the Bahamas

It's Tuesday!! Today was our first full day here in the Bahamas and it is HOT. We are staying hydrated though (don't worry mom and dad)!! Today Mr. Jeff and I had a really great talk and it's only day -1 (camp starts on Wednesday). I'm really excited to see what other great conversations I will have and relationships I will build. Campers come tomorrow and I'm excited to see how camp is here in a different part of the world. I was also told to try Goombay (???) so we'll see how that goes, along with how the rest of the week goes!!

-Lauren S.

Just got to the Bahamas

There were many breath taking veiws on the plane..... I can't wait to see the country up close.... I can't wait to meet new people, learn about the country, and experience new things

Ameliya Boston

Counselor

Very excited to get to the bahamas! Can't wait to have a great week at Swamp and meet a ton of people. Its so encouraging to be around disciples in one of the most beautiful places in the world!

Gena

#ptlbahamas

As I sit in the Atlanta airport waiting for our flight to take off, I can't help but to think about how blessed I am.

My dream of going to the Bahamas started a year ago when Josie and Leonel were visiting Camp Swamp and I had the honor of showing them around Athens. At the time I wasn't even a disciple yet. At the time I didn't even understand how truly awesome God is or how He could even begin to provide for me. 

I remember sitting in Transmet in downtown Athens talking about my Bible studies with Leonel and he turned to me and said "When you get baptized you need to come to camp and counsel in the Bahamas. " I laughed and said "Ha ha, I will try but I don't even know how I could get there or pay for it." That man looked me in the eyes and spoke straight to my soul saying the following words: "You have a God that will provide." At the time I did not completely understand what he meant. At the time I shrugged it off and thought to myself "Okay, whatever."

But provide The Lord did.  God has provided me with this opportunity but also with so much more than I could ever ask for. I could never thank God enough for all the things He has given me in this first year as a disciple. I am forever grateful and I will forever praise Him

#ptl (Praise The Lord)
Amanda (middle)

Brazilian Barbeque

Today for lunch we are eating at Raja Grill where it is al l you can eat. They bring the meat to your table and slice it on the spot. The view is amazing! This is after spending a couple of hours at the largest market fair in South America. We are so grateful for Marco and Denise and Fabrizio and Anna for taking care of us; they are gracious hosts. Church is at 3pm...hopefully everyone will stay awake for the speaker--me!

Ciao, Jeff

Brazil Camp 2015

This week in Brazil has been amazing. At camp, I had the little girls! None of them spoke any English, so I was little afraid at the start of the week, but it went really well. My co-counselor thankfully spoke English so it was good to be able to communicate certain things. Although we did not speak the same language, I was still able to love and have fun with my girls. Throughout the week, they learned two words- boyfriend and in love. Ha ha, they were trying to set me and Mariana up- it was so cute. I am so glad and grateful that I came. I learned more about God's unconditional love- he loves always, even when its hard. It was inspiring to see the love and friendship at camp even though there was a language barrier. I can't wait to come back!

Rebecca Bennett

Brazil Swamp Corps 2015

The Camp came to Brazil for the second time and It was amazing! God has revealed us your love, power and compassion through the Swamp Camp. It was an unique experience that changed my life, my family and my dreams!

I'm looking forward to the next year!

Luana Farinazzo - Brazil
(On the left)

Post Ring of Honor

It's ya girl Emma (or ginny weasley, as my cabin decided that my nickname was...). This week so far at camp has been amazing! I honestly can't even describe how wonderful the people are and how encouraging it is to see how much people care about me, even if we don't speak the same language. There are many girls that constantly try to talk to me in broken english or get their friends to translate. It's really really cool to see how they are willing to talk to me and get to know me even though it takes a lot of work and hand movements.  I love my cabin even though they are kind of insane and I always have fun when I am around them. The facility is really nice but the canteen opens at the most random times so it's good if I can catch it while it's open (it has the best chocolates and cheese bread that I have ever had...). The ring of honor was really encouraging even though I couldn't understand the majority of what people shared. It has also been amazing to get to know the american team that came! See you soon!

It's ya boy Culley

Busy Time in Brazil

What an undertaking to train in a different language and yet we have seen amazing things happening.  These last few days have been intense in regards to conveying the details of camp to many counselors (some were campers the last time we were here) and to the volunteers. We are also having to explain to the campers many things that we take for granted at The Swamp : schedule, where to be when,  getting a count of every cabin at each all camp gathering...and yet hearts are being moved. I am currently sitting in the game/craft room watching a cabin of boys have a quiet time...although I can't understand what they are saying, it is very encouraging nonetheless.

We had a singing devo planned after breakfast yesterday but the power went out for hours because of an accident on a nearby highway that took out a power line. This delayed breakfast because they could not make the bread...yes they make the bread here!! Yumola!  Anyway the staff rushed to town and bought bread and food and we made some changes to the schedule and went on with the day and our singing devo will be this morning.

Everyone is getting the hang of things so you can expect more blog posts. I am so proud of the team as they are doing a great job!  They have sat through many Bible classes and devotionals that were delivered completely in Portuguese and they are making friends and giving their hearts away.  I can't wait to hear their stories.

More to come. I have a Bible study with a camper in a few minutes.  Thanks for the continued prayers.

Much love, Jeff

Crazy for challenges

Brazilians are loving the challenges.  Here we are announcing them.

Frio Campo

Hey this ya boy Ricky, second year at swamp and it is really different in a good way. Showers are new which is great and there is a new addition to the cafeteria. Food is the best in the business and I like rice. I didnt get lost alone like the first time I was here, but we did get lost as a group. Bus almost fell off a cliff but we didnt die or I wouldn't be blogging. The first day of camp was fantastic and the kids were very excited. I killed it in basketball.

The End

Love,

Ricky or Ya Boy jermaine

Brazil, Round Two!!

We have landed in Brazil once again! I am so excited and grateful for this unexpected return to one of my favorite places on earth. Already seeing the faces from old friends has gotten my heart filled so high. Right now we are on our way to the camp grounds where we will rest, learn things new and meet the campers later on. Hopefully, I'll be prepared to speak to my campers from the short class of Portuguese the Brazilian counselors are teaching us on the bus right to camp. Man, I'm so happy to be back and can't wait to see how God works through this week!

Jordan N.

Plugged in Miami

Here we are plugged in and juicing up our electronics waiting to board our flight to Belo. I cant thank each of you enough for supportng your kids for this trip. Not sure if you realize that there will be two continents, South America and Africa,  represented this week. Four people from Angola are actually in Rio as I type this enjoying time there and will travel 9 hours by bus tomorrow with the group of counselors to join us in Belo for training.  The campers arrive on Tuesday and the fun continues.

We hope to sleep some on the plane; however I never sleep more than an hour or two.  I do get caught up on my movies though! Ha ha. Talk soon. Prayers for energy and peace.  Much love, Jeff