2021 Praise Reports and 2022 Prayer Requests

Greetings in the Lord Jesus Christ! Here are praise reports and prayer requests from the ministries and individuals that CFCUSA had the privilege to support and work with.

CAMPFIRES FOR CHRIST ASIA (CFCA)
CFCA celebrated their 46th year of God’s faithfulness. CFC USA joined their virtual 2021 “Campuri” (“camp”-“praise”) for worship, prayer, and study of the Word; it was attended by former and current campers and staff. CFC USA has been blessed for many years to work alongside CFCA (Philippines), as the Lord provided funds, camping gear, study bibles, references,and opportunities to provide staff training.

The seven outposts of CFCA held fewer camps last year compared to previous years due to travel and activity restrictions in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Thankfully, the outposts were able to conduct some camps, or do virtual and face-to face staff trainings, prayer meetings, and minister to those in need in other ways. All the 7 outposts have plans to hold camps in 2022. The following are excerpts from the reports shared by each group, listed by their locations in the Philippines.

Agusan Del Norte on Mindanao Island. ADN was able to hold staff training, planning sessions and fellowships. They held a teacher’s retreat, and helped a church to encourage the members to work together to reach others for Christ.They reconnected in fellowship with other churches they previously had camps with. CFC USA partnered with ADN to facilitate giving relief and assistance to those affected by the super typhoon Odette (Rai). A six-man team went on a“mercy mission” to ADN and Surigao.

Cagayan De Oro City on Mindanao Island.CDO held a youth camp while complying with social distancing guidelines at that time. A CFC USA pastor was a guest speaker via video.The staff and the campers were encouraged to continue to serve in their home churches. They helped with virtual and face to face Bible studies, prayer meetings, and with the children’s bible study and feeding program.The group saw the pandemic as opening more doors to serve and to spend more time in prayer.

Cavite, in the Calabarzon region in Luzon. They conducted Revisit 2021, a virtual orientation for the new staff about the vision and mission of the CFC Camping Ministry.This activity also served as a refresher course for the other staff. They also took part in planning a leadership training camp for the “provisional” outposts in Northern Luzon. Originally planned for December, it has now been moved to the summer of 2022, Lord willing.
Cebu in the Central Visayas Region. They had two camps, in Danao, Cebu and on Bantayan Island;.total of 185 attendees, 36 accepted Christ. Praise the Lord! Bible study groups in the community were started by some of the camp attendees. Testimonies of healing and restoration were reported.The staff were thankful for God’s sustaining grace, physical strength,wisdom and provisions. CFC USA also partnered with them to provide emergency relief and reconstruction assistance to those affected by the typhoon Odette in Cebu and Bohol area. Restoration efforts continue into 2022.
Palawan in the Western Visayas Region. They conducted staff training and “Ahon 2021”(“Ascent”/“rising”) youth camp. The youth camp was attended by 106 individuals, with 27 professions of faith in Christ. Two of CFC USA Board members were able to train 30 staff trainees, with emphasis on Christian Education,7 Laws of a teacher, CFC beginnings and philosophies of ministry, camp safety, land navigation, compass use, rope handling, rappelling safety, some medical information and love courtship and marriage. During the same trip, they had gift distribution and several training sessions or conferences for pastors/church workers (some of them from distant tribal areas), called “Fortify,” a ministry of Cross Culture Missions. Praise the Lord!
Zamboanga Del Norte on Mindanao Island. ZDN was blessed, through CFC USA, with a 5600 square meters plot of land to build “Salimbay Campsite”(“Soaring”). They plan to use the facility for camps, leadership and discipleship training and retreats year round. The property now has a session hall and fencing under construction. They planted fruit trees, vegetables, ornamental,and medicinal plants .Water supply and electricity are in the process of being installed.The campsite is a potential source of income for the ZDN outpost. Recently,two Christian groups were able to use this facility even during ongoing construction. A ham radio station will be set-up on site.
Zamboanga Del Sur on Mindanao Island. ZDS outpost didn’t have a camp in 2021. They had more time for planning, fellowship, prayer and fasting. Staff took every opportunity to grow thru their individual churches and other spiritual trainings.
Pangasinan, Ilocos Sur and Tarlac. Staff training has been planned with the goal that they will be able to run their own camps when ready.

Prayer Requests: The Lord’s leading when to hold their camps; pray for lifting of pandemic-related restrictions; for wisdom, strength, safety, protection and provisions for the camps and other ministries. Pray for the political situation in the Philippines.Pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to work in the lives of everyone. Pray for the ongoing campsite construction in ZDN and staff trainings. Please pray for their national and outpost leaders.Contact CFCA: email: campfiresforchristasia@gmail.com.

BEYOND THE CAMP (BTC)
The Lord opened the gate for CFC USA to go “outside” camp to expand the ministry. The main goals set: to share the gospel, to encourage the brethren in Christ and to help others in and out of the “camp fire circle”; to show the love of God in practical ways.

CFC USA is thankful to be able to help in the following instances:

1)Financial help for individuals who needed food, medicine, shelter, help with utilities, etc. Most of these needs arose due to the Covid-19-related restrictions, typhoon, fire, illnesses, or other emergencies. One small church lost everything in a fire.

2)Support for 2 children’s ministries in indigent areas,included feeding during Bible studies. One of the children’s feeding ministries expanded to youth ministry and adult bible study groups. Bibles and portable sound system were purchased for this group,

3)Food pantry-type resource; some families were down to their last meal.

4)Food distribution and evangelistic teaching to the Aetas, an aboriginal tribe in Bataan, and to street sweepers in Cavite, and families affected by the typhoon.

5)Financial help for a Bugkalot (Ilongot) tribe, in Nueva Vizcaya. The village was evacuated in 2020 due to a “landslide/sinkhole”. They were living on the roadside, then eventually were relocated by the government. The first permanent structure they built was the church building that would serve as an evacuation center as well. There are many other tribal groups and communities that also need continued prayer.
Praise the Lord for the prayers and generous support from our donors. BTC was able to partner with former and active CFCA volunteers to provide such help.
CHRISTIANHOOD LEARNING CENTER (CLC)
2021 was the second year CLC administered distant-blended learning in the community. Everyone appeared to be navigating well this time around. Everyone was working together to help CLC keep moving forward. The staff found creative ways to raise funds, like garage sale, plant sale, cooking and selling food, etc.The Lord is faithfully supplying their needs.Glory to His name! Praise the Lord for faithful supporters. Pray for preparedness of everyone involved for face-to-face classes in the year 2022, provisions and other ways and means to generate income, and timing to start Junior High School. Go to Facebook: Clc Christianhood. email: clcdasma@gmail.com