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Hi Friends,

I am sad to announce that due to the Covid 19 pandemic, the El Porvenir Board and I have decided to suspend all summer camp operations through August 1st 2020.

I know this comes as a disappointment to so many of you. I know what this decision means. I know that campers, counselors, camp staff, and event leaders are going to miss out on a summer at El Porvenir. When I consider that, I am absolutely heart broken, as are the other staff and leaders here. This is so hard. I am so sad.

As I walk around camp, I know that this situation is so wrong, that this place has no business being empty during the summer months. There should be kids sitting in gazebos with open Bibles. There should be laughter back and forth over the dining room tables. There should be eyes wide open to the beauty and grandeur of God’s creation here. There should be tender commitments to our God being made in front of a campfire.

I want you to know that this decision has not been made lightly. The El Porvenir board and staff have discussed this at length and have sought the counsel of community leaders, government officials, and others in the Christian camping community. This is a short term decision to help ensure the long term vitality of this ministry.

Many of you have asked how you can help. We ask you to pray for us. Pray for the staff who have been working so hard for the past nine months to get ready for campers this summer. Pray for the event leaders and counselors who just want to encourage and challenge kids at our camp. Pray for the board as they focus on what’s next, ensuring that we emerge from this crisis stronger than ever and ready to serve.

We also ask for your financial support. In the coming weeks, we will communicate a plan to get through the next twelve months without burning through our cash reserves. I am confident that God is not calling us to put our head in the sand and wait for this all to be over. We are going to keep working, catching up on maintenance projects and facility improvements, and networking with our supporters, knowing that our efforts will result in fruitful ministry when this crisis is over.

I want you to know that I am grateful for you. So many have reached out to us with encouraging action and words. We will do our part to keep working behind the scenes so that when this is over, you will again have the opportunity to come together and experience adventure, wonder, connection, and rest at El Porvenir.

We love you and can’t wait to see you again.