A Stretching Summer...

Although summer lacks a few days from its official arrival, dry season is clearly in full swing since we've had a good 3 weeks of dry weather. We are enjoying not having to slog through the mud! :-) Kimberly and I recently made the trek to Palm community, and although the trip was not without its adventures we did manage to arrive without getting any mud on our pants!

The bright blue summer skies are shining down on a very small crew here at the Outpost! May 28th we said goodbye to the Shaub family as they flew to the USA for a short 3-month furlough time. They have a packed schedule visiting churches, friends, and family for these few short weeks and I'm sure would appreciate your prayers. Keilah also flew with them, leaving only Kathy and I, along with Kimberly, to 'man the fort' here in RV. :-) Travel is interesting since we must find someone to watch the houses in our absence, but the Lord has been faithful to provide that help for us several times already! Last Sunday we stretched our 'skeleton' crew to cover the Bible teaching in two communities....Milton helping Kathy out in RV; and Kimberly accompanying me in order to help with the many children who come to the service in Palm community.

Another 'stretch-er' for me is serving as the interim Area Director for our field until our new director arrives in July. Daniel and Dana Sick leave on furlough this coming week, and Simone Erndwein will be visiting her ailing parents for two months in Germany. Mercedes Galarza, the wife of our Ecuadorian director, continues to undergo cancer treatments. Thus on the field level we are also a small crew! Please pray for me to be able to give wise counsel in several needy situations, and to balance the needs of the field at large with the Awa ministry during this time.

Kenny is on a long road trip this summer traveling from NH to CA...and back! He is delivering a Suburban to the Los Angeles airport for the Meyer family (New Tribes Mission) coming in from Indonesia on June 8th for a year of home assignment. Arriving back in NH the end of June, Kenny will work the rest of the summer until returning to Liberty University in August.

Keilah, our newly graduated senior, is in Missouri just beginning the counselor training program for her third summer at Whispering Winds Bible Camp.  She has been accepted to attend New Tribes Bible Institute in Waukesha, WI in the fall. We are very proud of her! Below I'll post a link to a letter from her.

This month we are also expecting our medical caravan friends from Kentucky. We are looking forward to spending three days with them attending the people from at least four different communities in our area. This year they also plan to hold a special VBS program for the many children who come. Thanks for praying for this special time showing Christ's love to the Awa.

Ok, here is the link to Keilah's letter - (Click here to read on our Blog) (Click here to download a printable copy)

Resting in HIS grace,
Kevin & Kathy

Keilah Graduated!

Rio Verde, Ecuador
May 26, 2012


Hello, everyone!

Yes! I have now officially graduated from high school! Both my mom and I are proud to have made it after all these years. Graduating in the mountains here in Ecuador means no fanfare—no cap and gown--but I'm okay with that. It certainly is a big milestone in my life, though.


So: I've decided to return yet again to Whispering Winds Bible Camp this summer, from June 5th through July 28th. For those of you who don't know, this will be my third summer in a row. This year I'm 18, which means I will be old enough to be a counselor. It will certainly be a bit different than the past two summers, where I worked on the camp crew and did cleaning, dishes, and lots of other odd jobs. I'll have to arrive earlier than normal to take a few days of counselor training as well. The idea of being a counselor and being responsible for the children under my care makes me nervous, but I'm excited about it too. I know that God will help me, and I'm praying He'll give me the energy to keep up with even the hyper kids!
If you would, I ask that you pray for me and the camp this summer. Pray that I'll have the grace, patience, and energy in dealing with my kids, and pray that all the children who come to the camp will not only have a great time, but be touched by God as well. Pray that their lives will be changed, and that God will make His will be done for every child, and for every minute of the summer. Pray that God will use the summer in my life, to change me and grow my faith.


At the end of this summer I'm heading off for two years of Bible college at New Tribes Bible Institute in Waukesha, Wisconsin. I am really hoping that God will lead and guide me through the next two years at NTBI, and show me what His plan for my life is. I've been unable to figure what I want to do next, whether become a missionary or study a career at a college, or both, or something else entirely. So, going to New Tribes Bible Institute will help me in two important areas: giving me two more years to ask God and figure out where I'm headed, and in the meantime, grow my faith and knowledge of God and His word. My brother Kenny assures me that it will also be a good time to adjust to life in the USA. I was born in South America, and have lived most of my life there—so, yes, I guess there'll be a few adjustments to make!


Working at camp this summer means that I won't be getting a job somewhere else, and earning money toward Bible college. However, Whispering Winds Bible Camp is doing a program this summer for the counselors where every dollar of support that comes in our name they will match, dollar for dollar, up to a hundred per week. So, for all those who feel led to contribute, your gift will be doubled! Regardless, thank you all so much for your time and thought, and hopefully your prayers throughout the summer!


Sincerely,

Keilah Bruce

P. S. Checks should be made payable to Bible Impact Ministries, with a note attached that includes my name. The mailing address is Whispering Winds Bible Camp, PO BOX 9, St. James MO 65559-0009.