2022-2023 Praise Reports and Prayer Requests
Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ!
Praise the Lord for what He has been doing through the following co-laboring ministries. Please read on and be blessed. Be encouraged to keep praying, that God’s will be done in all our lives, as we obey to fulfill His great commission to make disciples. May the Lord bless you and keep you!
CAMPFIRES FOR CHRIST, Inc. (aka Campfires For Christ Asia – CFCA)
Praise God for 48 years of His faithfulness to our partner in ministry.
The picture below is from the 19th (2022) CFCA National Conference, “Unity in Diversity”, at Indang, Cavite. Attendees came from the seven Outposts: Agusan Del Norte, Cagayan De Oro City, Cavite, Cebu, Palawan, Zamboanga Del Norte, and Zamboanga Del Sur, and some of CFC USA board members. One attendee came from Ilocos Norte.
In 2022 the seven Outposts of Campfires For Christ Asia had camps in various regions in the Philippines. They had their own themes, with a variety of camps or retreats for kids, youth, couples, and mothers, with emphasis on evangelism, discipleship, and leadership. Some pictures are posted in their respective Face Book pages. Below are 2 examples from the CFCA Palawan Outpost. See a short Youtube video, search: CFC – “Pukaw 2022” Palawan Outpost.
Pukaw (Awaken) 2022 Youth Camp:“BABANGON PARA SA PANGINOON”(“Will Rise Up For The Lord”), was held on May 5-7, 2022, at Sitio Tagnipa, Barangay Tinitia, Roxas, Palawan. There were 102 campers from different communities and churches, most belong to the Indigenous People Group (tribal group), known as “Batak” of Northern Palawan. They are slowly rebuilding after 80% of the dwellings and the host church building was destroyed by the super typhoon Odette in 2021. Some campers had make16 river crossings to reach the venue. Rebel or insurgent activity was present nearby(*see “most wanted” poster next to campers). The Philippine Marines were present and gave an anti-terrorism awareness presentation.
Another challenge for many campers was the registration fee, some contributed vegetables or firewood instead. As with the previous years, as the Lord provided, CFC USA partially subsidized the CFCA camps, with the goal of allowing more campers to attend.
Pukaw 2022 Kids Camp, May 13-14 at Barangay Sta Lourdes, Pulang Lupa Christian Church. This was “semi-survival-training” type of camping, with zip line, obstacle course, hiking, group activities, especially bible studies. Below, 44 campers form the ‘Family Circle” around the campfire. The staff aimed to make disciples and did their best to provide each camper with a special and memorable camp experience.
In 2023, CFCA Outposts conducted 15 youth camps, 7 kids camps, 4 retreats (mothers, students, young adults and couples), 2 staff trainings, with the focus on sharing the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, making disciples and training leaders. There were 1344 campers, reported 459 new professions of faith in the Lord, and many others who re-dedicated their lives to serve the Lord. Some of the staff travelled many hours by boat or public transportation to other islands, tribal areas, rural areas, as well as in the cities.
In January 2023, we had a wonderful time of fellowship and a mini-reunion with some of the founders, former staff and supporters of Campfires For Christ from the Cavite area and others visiting from the USA. Praise the Lord for His faithfulness the brethren through the years!
Prayer Requests: Please pray for the Lord’s provision of gear, supplies, and trained staff, for the planned camps, retreats, camp leadership training and other outreaches; the 21st CFC Asia National Conference in 2024 to be held in Bohol (Plan to go or watch on-line). Please pray for the development of new CFCA Outposts in other parts of the Philippines.-
20th (2023) CFCA National Conference, “Ignite”, at Puerto Princesa, Palawan
Search Facebook: “Campfires for Christ, Inc”; also “Campfires For Christ+Outpost” (see list)
See camps by other Outposts on Youtube videos, search: “Campfires for Christ”, “CFC Camp”
Contact CFCA: via email: cfcaphilipppines@gmail.com; info@campfiresforchristinc.ph
*Please note the CFC USA and CFC, Inc. (AKA CFC Asia) have separate Boards, and follow regulations set by each respective country, yet we are one in our purpose to serve the Lord.
Prayer Requests: that we will grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ; and be faithful to fulfill His great commission; and show His grace and love to the people He loves.
Contact CFC USA: usacampfiresforchrist@gmail.com. mobile phone #: Ira (951)-760-3315
Website: www.campfiresforchrist.org
Mail: CFC USA, c/o F. Amargo, 46044 Rocky Trail Lane,Temecula, CA 92592- 4123
CFC USA, c/o I. Amargo, 2990 E. Riverside Dr. Unit #160, Saint George, CA 92592
CFC USA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. EIN 33-067149
CHRISTIANHOOD LEARNING CENTER (CLC)
Praises, from their most recent report (edited):
“ALL PRAISES TO GOD! We concluded the school year 2022-2023 with the theme ‘In Christ We Thrive!’ Our graduates marched on in victory over the years of pandemic, economic crisis, and navigating through the challenges of the ‘new normal’.”
“Last August 29, 2023, we opened our gates again for full face-to-face-classes for school year 2023-2024, celebrating the ‘Buwan ng Wika’ (Language Month), in conjunction with the School Spirit week.
“Everyone was excited to see the school make-over, spearheaded by our enthusiastic new principal. The Lord used her to inspire friends here and abroad to partner with us in giving CLC a new look. Donations in cash and in kind came in weeks before the school opening. The CLC family worked together to get the school ready for the first day of classes. Praise God for His motivation, inspiration, and provision.”
“Thank you all for your unwavering partnership! Looking forward to another year of ‘harvest’ for the Lord!”
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” – Proverbs 22:6
Prayer Requests: Please pray for the students, teachers, school staff, supporters and their families, to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Contact CLC: on Facebook: Clc Christianhood (see details). email: clcdasma@gmail.com
BEYOND THE CAMP (BTC) – an extension ministry of CFC USA with local volunteers
Praise the Lord, from a small spark to share the gospel and show the love of Christ through various practical means, the Lord expanded His work beyond the camps, and fanned the flame in more believers to serve and bless other, by offering to Him their time, talents and treasures. Please pray as you read about some of these blessings:
- Children’s Feeding and Bible Studies – in 6 impoverished areas, volunteers fed the children and taught bible studies and vacation bible school. In one location, bible studies for the youth and for adults were added to the children’s bible study. Then these believers decided to form a local independent church. With help from more brethren, they built a small building where they have worship services and bible studies. They now have 2 outreach bible studies. They had baptisms, and conducted their first youth retreat last December 2023.
- Food Pantry for Emergencies – bags of rice and canned goods were kept ready by the BTC volunteer staff (who are also CFC,Inc staff), and given to families in need of short-term help due to various natural and man-made disasters, or economic challenges. The recipients were prayed for, encouraged with the Word of God. The gospel was shared at every opportunity. In more than one instance, the recipients shared that they were down to their last meal that day or week when the Lord answered their prayers.
- Love Gifts – tokens of love given to retired pastors, widows and widowers of these brethren, some tribal pastors and missionaries, church workers, Bible school students, BTC volunteers, other CFC Staff or other brethren in need of assistance: such as help with fare for transportation, medications, diagnostics studies and treatment for a medical and dental issues. A couple of CFC staff were given tuition assistance to help them finish their college studies. Certain churches who have ties with CFCA and CFC USA staff and ministry supporters were given love gifts, as the Lord provided
- Livelihood Assistance – to try help some pastors provide for their families and church members, they were given practical help such a motor for a fishing boat, and fishing net, goats for breeding, materials to build a fish pond and water pump.
- Other Ministry Support – Bibles, Bible study materials, tracts, solar-lamps for church outreach, building materials such as nipa (palm leaves) or metal roofing, nails, lumber, cement, and chairs. Other BTC volunteers gave of their time to share the gospel in public schools.
Contact BTC: pictures available to members of BTC Pictures FB Messenger group chat.
Send a message via FB messenger to: “ira irma amargo”
MORE PRAISES: The Lord gave CFCUSA staff the privilege to serve with more ministries.
- Assisted a Medical-Dental Mission team serve several tribal groups affected by super typhoon Odette in Northern Palawan (see “Pukaw” Youth Camp Pictures).
- “Pagpapalakas” (Fortify) Pastoral Conference in Palawan – encouraged and strengthened pastors, their spouses who mostly minister to the tribes and other smaller churches. (*Most of the conference staff and teachers were also Staff of CFCA. In the past, typically, brethren from Reliance Church and Cross Culture Ministries based in CA taught during the Fortify Conferences, as the Lord gave them opportunity). Bags of rice, canned goods, few reading glasses, and bundles of gospel tracts were given.
- Helped a group of pastors and other volunteers, called Trailblazers; gave them gear and training on rope skills useful to traverse flooded rivers, rappel, or haul gear, and some funds to fuel their motorcycles to get to the tribal mission areas that are difficult to reach.
***Praise the Lord! Pray without ceasing! Be blessed, be a blessing!***