HFO was in the news this weekend telling the story of one of our three trips this summer.

KAA was my first camp experience outside of camping in a cabin with my youth group. It was a wonderful experience and I hope it is not my last. KAA was very Christ centered. He was the focus of all that we did.

This camp was also focused on having the heart and mind of a servant. At meal times we were supposed to serve others and let others serve us. This was a neat thing to partake in. There was a lady who filled our glasses full of ice every meal. I would walk into the dining room and she would have the ice bucket filling everybody’s glasses. So it was a real pleasure for me to be able to serve her at the end of the week. When it was time for us to pack up and go I was able to carry her luggage up the hill for her. She was grateful but I don’t know if she knew how grateful I was for her.

Other than the time during my spring service projects I hadn’t spent much time with the kids. This was my first experience with just them and me. And man oh man was it good. The camp had it set up so we would meet with our kids every other day for about an hour. The first day was a little difficult because we didn’t know each other all that well, but by the end of the week things were grand and the kids were finally opening up to me. The hugs I got during that week I will cherish all my life.
Along with this being my first time with the kids by myself this was also one of the first times I was in a leadership role with that many kids. I had 10 kids that were under my care. It was my responsibility to meet with their counselors and just make sure everything was running smoothly. It was a little frightening at first but I felt confident before it was all said and done.

Overall this was a fantastic learning experience for me! I had an awesome time with the kids and a wonderful time with the ladies in my cabin. God was working in so many ways that week. It was nice to get away from all the troubles in this world, and be refreshed by people that love God. I can’t wait to see how God is going to use that week in the kids this summer.

-Nadine Lundgren
Summer Intern

Earlier this year we got a call from our friends at The Bridge Ministry in Lafayette. They told us about this camp in Missouri that they have brought their kids to for the past few years. They had room in their bus this year so they invited the HFO clan to go with them.

At 11pm we jumped on that bus and we were off to Missouri. The bus was full and the kids were pumped. When we arrived the next afternoon none of us knew quite what to expect. We were greeted by a crowd of college students dressed in crazy outfits ready to have some fun. They herded the kids off the bus into the next 7 days of their life.

Kids Across America is a week long camp designed for inner-city youth. They have 3 camps separated by age. Each has its own activities designed for that age range. The kids were able to choose a specialty sport and got intensive instruction and practice throughout the week. They were also able to

participate in other adventure activities like ski-tubing, high ropes courses, water slides and trampolines just to name a few. Some of our kids conquered their fears of heights of water and other social anxieties that go along with being a teenager. The camps ultimate aim is to spread the Gospel. So the kids were challenged and encouraged in their walks with Christ. It was amazing to see the kids surrounded by people that were all after the same end of growing their faith. This camp was able to share the Gospel in a way that was relevant to our students.

While the kids were being poured into by counselors and camp staff, we as leaders had people that were there to pour into us as well. We were able to participate in all the activities the camp had to offer as well as bible studies and networking time to re-energize us to continue the work we do back home. We met new friends and organizations that are just down the road in New Orleans and some from as far as Indiana. We are excited to see how God uses these new relationships as we continue to encourage each other in ministry and collaborate on ideas and vision.

You can be looking for more stories from some of our kids and other staff that were able to experience the excitement of KAA.

HFO is bringing 24 students to a Christian Sports Camp in Branson, MO called Kids Across America. Our students will pick a sport to specialize in and also enjoy other camp activities including ski boats and a high-ropes course. This camp is designed to minister to inner-city youth and impact them with the gospel. There will be bible studies, preaching, and gospel hip-hop performances. We expect this to be a life changing experience for our students on many levels.

The cost is $150 a student. This is a great opportunity for individuals, families, or bible study groups to consider partnering with us to serve.

You can mail a check or donate through our website with a credit card or paypal account. Just designate that your donation is for HFO Summer Camp.

If you are excited about helping partner please paste this link on your facebook or twitter and tell your friends to partner with us!

Thanks,
Loren
Hope for Opelousas

Agents of Hope is a unique internship designed for High School seniors. Through a 17 week program the Agents of Hope interns will be employed by Hope for Opelousas, providing tutoring assistance for the after school program, being part of the strategic planning team, and handling clerical duties. Each week they also participate in a job training curriculum using the “Jobs for Life” program to teach them job skills and character building. This program is so unique because it is not just teaching them how to get a job, but it is also giving them the opportunity to apply what they are learning in class to the job they already have with Hope For Opelousas.

Meet the Agents of Hope interns:

Carmen Washington

My name is Carmen Washington. I am a senior at Opelousas Senior High. After high school I plan on furthering my education at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, LA. There, I want to major in secretarial studies. Although I love to do busy work, I enjoy reading, writing, and listening to music. I love learning and enjoy the feeling of sharing my knowledge with others. The feeling of succeeding in a goal sends magic through my soul. I know, feel, and believe that I can, and will, be the best I can be in life. With love, care, and tenderness around me I know there is a reason for me to believe in myself as well as others. I am Carmen Washington, the future leader of tomorrow’s world.

Carla Rosero

Hello Everyone! My name is Carla Rosero. I’m eighteen years old and I go to Opelousas Senior High School. I love sports, especially tennis, and all sorts of music, mainly rock. I absolutely love to sketch. I adore children and could like to do all I could to see to it that our future generations prosper.

Jaferrius Thomas

Hi my name is Jaferrius Thomas. Im nineteen years old and am a 12^th grade senior at Opelousas Senior High School. I like to play in our school band and march as well. I would like to attend Southern University and go for General Studies. I would like to learn from this job but mainly from the kids. I think learning from kids is a great idea because the children are our future. And in order to have a successful future we must learn about the people that will be in it. With this opportunity I would love someone to say I made a difference in their life.

Renesha Darthard

My name’s Renesha Darthard. I’m nineteen years old and I’m a senior at Opelousas Sr. High. I enjoy reading, writing, and playing sports. I hope that by becoming a part of Hope for Opelousas, I can become even more outgoing and experience life and childcare. I also hope that by God’s grace I can be a great contribution to Hope for Opelousas, the children, the community, and one day the world.