July 2025 Edition

Wow… what a month it has been!

We wrapped up our 2024-2025 Cavod school year with a bang during our dance concert, June 11–13. What a joy it was to see Lancaster Mennonite Fine Arts Center packed out with over 1,000 people for each of the three performances! Watching our students shine, dance, and glorify God with their gifts filled my heart with joy. I am so proud of everything they accomplished this year! (P.S. Pictures are coming soon!)

Just five days later, our Cavod Missions Team of eighteen hopped on a plane and headed to Africa for nearly three weeks to run our “Fully Alive” Arts Camp—first in Kenya and then in Cape Town, South Africa. We were worship leaders, teachers, counselors, prayer warriors… simply pouring love into the lives of these precious kids and teens.

In Kenya, we had 300 students and in Cape Town, 160. We taught workshops in hip hop, musical theatre, worship, acro, jazz, vocals, drums, art, basketball, and scrapbooking… and every morning we started with small groups, diving into Romans 8. God showed up in powerful ways. We ended the day with worship and ministry time! These children can worship and praise God like none other! They ushered in the presence of God with their zeal and hunger for Jesus!

By the end of the two camps, over 90 kids gave their hearts to Jesus between both countries—and many more rededicated their lives to Him. We heard stories of deep pain, trauma, hunger, and brokenness, yet what stood out most was the overwhelming gratitude of these children. Some came from streets, some from children’s homes, some from strong families, but the joy they carried, despite having so little, was life-changing. A single piece of American candy was a celebration!

Here are a few pictures to capture a bit of what we experienced!

A bit of Kenya worship!

The children loved to play with our team’s hair. It is not every day a white person visits!

Our team at the end of the Kenya camp, tired, but full of joy from what the Lord did!

They made dresses for our team, from scratch, designing them the way we wanted! Such a gift that Violet, the pastor’s wife, has!

Capetown Camp and volunteers!

A taste of the deep worship in Capetown!

Little Rachel… a 16 year old girl from the children’s home who captured my heart last year! She accepted the Lord last year and was there again this year, thriving and loving Jesus! She has quite the story! Love her so much!

A highlight was having my 3 grandchildren with me on the trip! They taught dance, art and drums. What a blessing they are!

The night we left, our host at our Airbnb in Capetown wanted a picture with our team. She was an amazing host all week, cooking our meals and doing our wash.

Since returning home, I’ve sat in my recliner more than once and just wept. We are so blessed and yet, sometimes, we forget. We grow entitled. We forget to be thankful. We get caught up in the things of this world. I feel deeply challenged to live with more awareness, more gratitude, more stillness… seeking the Lord and enjoying the little things.

One resource I cannot recommend enough: The Awe of God by John Bevere. I read and re-read it and listened to it during our 18-hour flights, and it truly wrecked me in the best way. I even bought a copy for each of our Cavod staff. If you’re longing for a deeper sense of God’s presence, freedom from fear and anxiety, and a renewed hunger for His holiness—please read this book.

Through it all, Cavod hasn’t skipped a beat! Our amazing team has launched three summer camps already, with three more to go! I couldn’t be more grateful for the staff and volunteers who keep our mission thriving.

Registration is open for our upcoming school year, beginning August 25—and we’ve already surpassed 1,130 enrollments! Don’t wait to register—classes are filling quickly!

And don’t miss our next Cavod Theatre production of Finding Nemo Jr., July 26–27. It’s going to be a beautiful show for the whole family. Click here for more info and tickets!

Let’s continue to create a culture of honor, respect, and His presence… ushering in all the splendor, HIS glory, wealth, and goodness of the Lord. That’s what “Cavod” means, and that’s what we’re called to steward.

With a grateful heart,