Thursday, October 30, 2008

The Day I got back from lunch and the accountant and office manager locked me out



Oh, and they were hiding under the office desks. :>)

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Nagaland

I have been asked MANY times- “What is the point of loving the kids when they will just be left again?” If you have come to camp, I’m sure you have asked yourself that too. I want to challenge you to keep thinking about that question- even as camp grows distant and life starts again. Was camp the end for you?

I just finished talking with Elilo. She is a young woman from Nagaland, India. Her ancestors were headhunters. Her parents both grew up as orphans. And now she wants to start an orphanage in her village. She has already bought the property and started construction.

I asked about travel to the orphanage and she said that on her last 9 hour bus ride to Nagaland they were robbed by bandits. She was scared for her life because sometimes people die. But they always face that danger when going through Hindu areas. Her life radiates Christ and truly reminds me of the quote from William Carrey, “Expect great things from God, Attempt great things for God.” (Her website is: www.nagalandorphanage.org )

Each of us has our Nagaland- Starting an orphanage, teaching overseas, becoming a foster family, adopting, mentoring a younger believer, or ... It looks different for every person AND it might not look too exciting. So think about it, what is your Nagaland? And are you willing to make sacrifices?

I am currently reading the story of Jonathan Goforth, a missionary to China. Before getting married he asked his wife if she would be willing to use the money he had saved for a wedding ring to send to a mission that God had put in front of him. Of all the most personal and special belongings someone could give up, it would have to be a wedding ring. And yet they both put God above ALL else in following His call for them.

Definitely a challenge to fix our eyes on Jesus and make Him the focus of our life!

Good times, -David

P.S. I was recently challenged by chapter 9 in Desiring God. Grab a cup of coffee and print out the chapter below for your next quiet time. It will be worth your time! http://www.desiringgod.org/dg/id172.htm

Thursday, October 16, 2008

I Found My Twin

My grandaddy mailed me an article from Tennessee about another David Bolt.


http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2008/sep/28/efficient-frontier/

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Raising support for the next year

With the start of a new year I’m sending out my support letter to let you know about what I’ll be doing and see if you would be interested in joining my support and prayer team. Also I’m going to be organizing a garage sale to help raise support. Thanks so much and please email or call if you have any questions.

Camp Craziness

Week 2 and 3 in Xin Zheng almost did us in! But ALL the staff did amazing in handling our biggest weeks on record. Great Job!!!




"POLICE!"

“POLICE!” I can’t even say how many times I heard that word.
The Olympics brought huge challenges as we faced a VERY strict government. We had multiple police checks and searches. One of our camp locations was shut down with a four day notice. And about half the time I was at camp we were confined to our camp location.

But camp went on! And so did all the smiles and laughter and memories. Some were great memories and some left me completely stretched, like the day one of the kids pooped on the floor 3 different times. People stepped on it and the smell was everywhere. Actually, the smell would normally hit us first and then I would go frantically looking around for the poop before it spread. I can not tell you how happy I was when diapers for older kids arrived.

One of my best memories had to be taking 5 orphans to the Olympics. The highlight was meeting Olympians that had just won bronze medals. Not only did the kids have the opportunity to hold (and bite into) Olympic medals, but the athletes gave them piggy-back rides outside the stadium. I smile to think of that little orphan girl, who was left as worthless, holding an Olympic medal atop an athlete who represents the greatest strength and glory possible for an athlete. How beautiful!!!

And so with the close of the Olympics came the end of the 2008 Bring Me Hope summer camp. We had nearly 800 people attend, 350 of them orphans. Each of them deeply injured at some point. And that is why we come- to shine God’s love where hurt and rejection exist. I think this letter from one of the orphans captures the goal of our camp:

“The experience I got from this camp makes me feel the love of family. There are so many family groups here, which reminds me what love is. Tracy (translator) told me you got up very early every day and pray for us. You believe God will bless us. At first I don’t believe it…Now I believe God exists. –Sarah”

Thank you all for making this summer possible! See you in 2009!

Wednesday, October 1, 2008