Arriving in Paraguay in 1991, SIM workers began church planting efforts in several areas where no believers lived. Today, an association of SIM-planted churches has begun to take shape. It is with great enthusiasm that these churches are starting to collaborate in joint ministry. One of these ministries is leading youth and family camps.
However, the number of youth and family campers has now exceeded the capacity of any campsite in the country! In addition, even if there was capacity, the other campsites are already booked for the busy summer months and during school vacations. Presently annual camps are being held at a church member's farm, but because of the excessive number of campers, three separate camps had to be held to accommodate all those who wanted to attend. This is clearly the best kind of ministry challenge to face.
In light of this, the church leaders and the SIM Paraguay team together have agreed that a camping ministry is both needed and strategic at this stage of church growth. A dream has begun to form for building a new, larger camp.
Church and mission together are asking God to lead us to a location attractive for campers—with a river or waterfall, hills, etc—and that is accessible by asphalt road. With professional contractors and short-term work teams (both Paraguayan and foreign), the first phase of the camp will be built to accommodate at least 300 campers in rustic conditions.
