Alpha and Omega Bible Camp

Alpha and Omega Bible Camp:

This camp, located in the mountains outside of Oaxaca, Mexico, is managed by National Christians and is reaching young people with the
Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Alpha and Omega Bible Camp began
in the hearts of Oscar and Elena Leon before 1992.

Working with Gerry Morales, a Zapotec Native from St. Peter's Boxes, Oaxaca, Mexico, Oscar and Elena ministered to four Zapotec villages.

Oscar and Elena had a special ministry with the children, while Gerry and his wife, Bertha, focused on the adults. In 1992 Oscar brought the children from the four towns together during Christmas vacation. He and Elena housed them in their simple home in Oaxaca City . For most of the 20 children it was the first time away from their villages. After the children's exciting week, the parents arrived to enjoy a prepared program, share a Christmas meal, then take them home. This event was so popular that after the second Christmas the "camp" needed to be moved. An old logging camp in the mountains was scheduled for the next summer break.

After two years the facility was again outgrown. As we contemplated renovating, the Lord opened the door to the lovely location that is now known as Alpha and Omega Bible Camp. Several U.S. churches have sent work teams to help with the development of the camp. All were blessed as U.S. teams, Zapotecs, and Chatinos worked side by side, shared meals, testimonies, and friendship.

Oscar and Elena left the ministry in 1994 and Gerry inherited the responsibility of director. The Lord has provided several faithful, committed believers to direct programs, train as counselors, and serve as helpers. Several who attended the first "camp" with Oscar and Elena are now counseling for children's camp. Three are committed to full-time Christian ministry and hope to attend Bible school in the near future. The primary focus of Alpha and Omega Bible Camp has been toward Native Mexican villages. So far youth and children's camps have brought together four dialects of Zapotec speakers and two dialects of Chatino.

Now, Spanish-speaking churches are asking to send campers to Alpha and Omega. The camp facility is available all year to evangelical churches for retreats and special events, if they run their own programs. Kids and youth camps, however, need trained staff with lots of help. Gerry and the other volunteer staff are unable to dedicate more time to the camping program. Alpha and Omega needs a camp director with abilities to speak Spanish, train volunteer staff, and run programs primarily with rotating volunteer help.

Another major problem is that most kids and youth camps need subsidy from outside sources. The Oaxacan economy with daily wages averaging a little over $3 (US) does not allow for full tuition. We actually need a subsidy of $30 (US) per camper to run a week of camp. Twenty Chatino young people scheduled for camp this year were left behind in their coastal village because they couldn't afford the transportation to camp, which had doubled since last year.

The Lord has provided for two weeks of camp for the last three years. We're praying for provision for three weeks of camp next year. There are enough requests for more weeks if we had personnel and funds. Any gifts to meet these needs may be sent to UIM International with a note designating Alpha and Omega Camp.

The idea of a camping ministry is new to Native believers in southern Mexico and has unlimited potential. Pray the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers into the ripe fields before us.

Further facilities development is planned and various types of construction skills will be needed.

If you are interested in having your church or group come and help, please click here.

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