DIRT Update

We are so excited about the opportunities we will have at Winter DIRT Camp to touch lives around the world. You can help share the love by participating in one of the following ways...

1. OPERATION BEANIE BABIES
Students are being asked to collect Beanie Babies and hard candies to be sent to the Middle East. Soldiers give these items to the children they meet as a way of building bridges and winning hearts. Students will also be making cards and pictures, and writing letters to encourage our soldiers.

• You can help by collecting Beanie Babies and hard candies.
• You can help by creating a card or writing a letter to a solider.

2. SAMARITAN’S PURSE GIFTS OF HOPE

As students compete in team challenges they will be awarded coins worth one dollar each. At the end of the week everyone will be given a Christmas catalog with gifts to purchase and send to a needy person or family in a third world country. Gifts such as baby food, livestock, seeds and tools for growing crops, school supplies and much more.


• You can help by making a donation of dollars to give in exchange for the toy coins.
• You can order your own catalog from www.samaritanspurse.org and provide gifts.

3. PARACHUTES FOR COLUMBIA
We will be making parachutes for the sake of dropping bibles and radios in the war torn jungles of Columbia. Along with the parachutes we need to include $3 each to purchase solar powered radios, Spanish Bibles and other materials to be attached to each parachute.

• You can donate to help purchase the sewing materials needed for the parachutes.
• You can make parachutes in your home and add them to our shipment.
• You can donate the $3 per parachute to purchase the radios, Bibles and tracts.

This Christmas season count your blessings and then share them with those in need!

Merry Christmas!

10 + 10 + 10 = Praise!
I am sending this update on the 10th day of the 10th month of the 10th year of the DIRT Crew. Last night I spent some time looking at many of my personal records from the past ten years and all I can say is Praise God! He has been so faithful and we have been so blessed to watch the Lord at work.

10 x 10 + 1 = One Hundred and One

101 is the number of precious souls that have been saved, an average of 10 salvation decisions each year! But that does not really tell the story. For example, in 2005 we only saw one person accept Christ as their personal Savior. I can remember the discouragement that year and my wondering if our ministry was missing the mark. Honestly, I thought about quitting more than once. Now if I would have quit right then, we would have missed out on the next year where 22 people accepted Christ!

2 x 10 = Sum Unknown
Over the last 10 years the Lord has blessed with many opportunities to mentor young men on their spiritual journeys. As I thought about this, I quickly jotted down 20 names that I have enjoyed a mentoring relationship with and who are actively serving in ministry. That’s the “2x10”. Two guys a year for the last 10 years. The “Sum Unknown” is the multiplication of their ministry impact!  Some were already serving in youth ministry while others were introduced to youth ministry through the DIRT Crew. (please understand I am not taking credit. I’m just giving God glory for all He has done!)

10 x 10 = Tens of Thousands

The other big number worthy of praise to God are the tens of thousands of man hours of missions and ministry. We do not have an exact number because it’s been too big to track. Over 10 years we have had many youth groups directly involved in DIRT Crew missions and ministry projects. In addition we have served thousands of hours through our camps and retreats. What a blessing to know that every hour represents lives touched and hearts changed through serving or being served.

The Number We Should Care About Most
The number I most care about is the next one! The next soul saved! The next life changed! Whether you participate through GIVING or GOING. pray that God will keep on doing what He is doing.
To God be the Glory!