April 2014 Isla Vega Camp

I could write about the particulars of the Family Camp in Isla Vega; the schedule, the numbers, the rain, the food and who preached. But how do I explain the moving of the Holy Spirit?!  How do I explain what was felt and what was done in individual hearts? How can I explain, as I stood in the pulpit Saturday morning, after the last lesson and just watched as the entire congregation of at least 400 just stood there and quietly wept and searched their hearts before the Lord? Or as I watched as the Holy Spirit fell like the sound of many waters and filled the hungry hearts in every evening service? Again Sunday morning, after the last message of camp; wave after wave of the Holy Spirit came over us and then the entire congregation just stood there, as some wept and some laughed and some stood quietly talking to the Lord. Hearts were convicted and challenged and rebuked and refreshed, marriages were restored and Christ was lifted up.

"The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” John 3:8 (NKJV)

The details don't seem to matter very much. The hard work of cleaning the camp the Sunday before. The two cows that were butchered. All the hard work that the cooks put in. The structural improvements that were made. The rain all afternoon Thursday, all day Friday and some drizzle Saturday morning. The electrical power going out several times to the extent that we almost did not have a Thursday evening service. Eating supper in the dark Thursday afternoon. Rain soaking every tent, along with all the contents, clothes and mattresses. The wet, the cold, the discomforts. None of that mattered as the Holy Spirit began to fall.

Many did not come because of the rain or because it was Easter weekend and they wanted to spend it with their families. Those who did come, including some 24 all the way from Buenos Aires and about 6 from the Formosa area, were filled to overflowing. One young lady, who was there for the first time gave her testimony; "I have been to many camp meetings and have experienced and seen the moving of the Holy Spirit, but NEVER anything like this."

There is no doubt that we are living in the last days. There is no doubt that the first trumpet call is just around the corner. There is no doubt that it is time to seek the Lord with all our hearts and all our mind and all our strength.

Sister Alicia spoke on the subject of "Little Children," from 1st John . Bro. Esteban continued his thought from January on "The work of God". Both Bro. Bernadino and Bro. Samuel Bogado also gave a lesson. I gave 12 lessons of a series on "The Heart of Man".

Friday night I spoke on a "Clean Heart". The need to judge sin in our lives and to ask the Lord to search us and know our hearts. As I closed and was going to give an alter call, before I could continue, people started coming up to the front, pouring out their hearts to the Lord.

"I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well." Psalms 139:14 (NKJV)

The overall theme seamed to be: "Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life." Proverbs 4:23