July 31
Novi Sad, Serbia
Today, we slept in and went into the city to spend time with the Norwegians before they headed home. They were a great group who came to serve and be with the students. They each had their own personalities that added to the camp atmosphere. I was glad to have them at camp. They commented how well the camp was organized and learned a great deal.
This afternoon, Jany, Ryan & I spent time at Marko and Milos' house playing games and watching movies. The girls spent time at their host family's home.
July 30
Today was the last day of camp. Early in the morning, the American team left to catch their flights home. I was very impressed with Ben's leadership. He had a team of 5 who were over the age of 40. The team was an amazing group who served with all their heart and soul and had a huge role in sharing their lives with the students.
After Breakfast, Mark, the Serbian youth leader, wrapped up the camp by summarizing the entire camp themes. They opened up a "mic time" for students to share their experiences. Lydia, a youth leader's daughter, came up and shared that she had decided to get baptized after camp. It was a touching moment.
Afterwards, we packed up and said our good-byes to the students. It was a touching moment when some of the "tough" guys began to cry in the van. They were sad to have to go. It just showed us that we created a safe community for the students to feel God's love. We arrived back in Novi Sad and stayed in some of the Serbian homes for a few days to follow up with students.
For all of us, we feel that this was a great camp that has opened the Serbian team's hearts and souls to move forward with this style of camp and look forward to hearing how the follow-up works.
July 29
Today's theme is awakening.
Today, we decided to take a break, not have English, play games and sports and allow the students to really think about what we have been talking about. During the morning meeting we learned that several students had approached the Serbian team to talk about this week1s experience. Two girls, shared that they usually steal cell phones to sell them for money to feed their families. And during this camp they have really wanted to steal our cell phones, however, do not want to. They want to start coming to church and be part of the youth group.
In the evening we hosted a talent show, which was a very special night. We provided an opportunity for the students and team leaders to show off their talent. It was great to see the "tough" guys break dance and wrap.
July 28
Today's theme is hope.
Every morning we have a team meeting where all the staff comes together to share and pray over the camp. Today was an amazing morning where I got to see and hear the Serbian team really catch the vision and purpose of this camp. Chat Camp serves as a tool for the Serbian team to begin their ministry after camp and follow-up with these students. It was great to hear them share how important it is going to be to follow-up and spend time with them. For our team, it has been a blessing for us to allow them to take ownership of the camp and allow us to remain behind the scenes.
During English, I took our team into Belgrade to take a break and prepare for our e-night. After we returned, we prepared for the evening. Mika, a Serbian pastor, shared the gospel. It went very well with the students chatting for a very long time in the chat rooms. Afterwards, the Slovaks with the help of Ryan, Lee Ann and myself, hosted a café night. We provided chocolate milk, coffee and various teas. We asked Andy Mayo, an English missionary who has lived in Serbia for the last 10 years, to perform with his guitar. The night went well with students still talking and asking questions.
July 27
Today's theme was chaos.
We are learning a great deal from these students. When we prepare for camp, we expect that the students have some knowledge of English or know the basics. However, at this camp, a beginner is a true beginner and we have had to adjust our curriculum. In fact, the teachers have done a great job with this. It has been hard to communicate but the students are really glad to be here and do their best in participating.
Chaga shared about chaos in our lives and his testimony, which led to great discussions in the chat rooms. We are glad we incorporated chat rooms into our camp. It has really inspired and encouraged the Serbian team. Afterwards, the Serbians hosted the evening, where we danced, and ate some great Serbian sausages.
July 26
Today's theme was wonder.
Chaga and I had to leave the camp for the day to go pick up two new JV missionaries who are moving to serve in Serbia for the next two years. Tanja, a Serbian, and her husband, Steve, an American, arrived safely today. Before picking them up, Chaga and I had a nice time discussing how camp is going, etc.
For us, we believe that last year's experience taught us many things that helped us with this year's camp. Last year, we tried the Slovak schedule with this year allowing the Serbians ownership. Some of those changes were: Adjusting the time- breakfast at 9 am and bedtime at 1am, adding more breaks, adding Chat rooms for time to discuss, & readjusting what we do in the e-nights so students will stay and participate.
We also agreed that we are glad to serve as consultants and letting Ben, the American leader and Mark, the Serbian leader, serve as the camp leaders. They are doing a great job.
Upon our return in the very late evening, we experienced a different atmosphere within the camp. It was like the students had finally opened up and we were now one camp with many nationalities. Ben shared and the Czech team hosted the e-night with watermelons.
July 25
Today's theme is self.
We will focus on our relationships and how they affect us. The English classes went well. The weather here is so hot. Thankfully, one of the team leaders brought a kid's pool, and several of us went swimming in it. Or rather, sat in the pool and caught some rays.
Each night we plan to host chat rooms after the evening program. This provides the students an opportunity to share their thoughts and feelings with the national leaders and English teachers. This is something new for our camps in Serbia and look forward to seeing if it will work or not. After Lee Ann shared and the students participated in the chat rooms, the Americans hosted the e-night around a campfire. It was a great night. Last year, it did not work well, but after experiencing that, we learned, and things went well. The students sat around the campfire, we sang songs, and ate Smores.
July 24
Camp has begun with 18 students participating. We are praising God for providing the camp with these students. After their arrival, we discovered that these students are part of an outreach ministry within the church. The students are Roma, or Gypsies. They come from a Muslim background with many of them not attending school.
One student told one of our teachers that she is glad to be here to learn English. That was very encouraging. This evening, I shared the message on reality & expectations. It went very well. After the talk, the Norwegians hosted our environment night (e-night), which allowed them to share about their country and provided us time to taste a bit of Norway. They made a cinnamon pastry that was very good. We all went to bed around 1 in the morning.
July 23
Today was team building day and camp preparation. All went well.
July 22
What a day before camp?!
You know you when you are doing service for the Lord that the enemy has his owns plans as well. And boy did we experience various obstacles. The first group of Americans arrived today, but with no luggage.
Our team divided into two groups to help prepare for camp. My group went back into the city to gather camp equipment and the Serbian team. On our way back, the other van broke down. This caused me to pull that van & trailer with the van we brought down. On our way back, we almost ran out of fuel.
During this ordeal, we found out that the other group took bikes into the nearby village. The village folks "freaked" out when they saw over 15 foreigners on bikes enter their village and called the police. No one had their passports because they were with the camp leaders checking in with the foreign police.
The police arrived & planned to escort the group back to the campsite. However, things changed when the policeman found out where we were staying. The campsite location we are staying at is a Christian year-round bible facility with the founder being British. The leader of the training center, Andy Mayo, has been building a relationship and sharing the gospel with the head policeman. When he found out that we were staying at the camp location, his behavior changed and was very kind to the group.
We all arrived safe and sound and spent the evening worshipping our Lord! It was a great experience worshipping with so many different nationalities & cultures.
July 21
On the road to Serbia! Please be in prayer with us and look forward to sharing more God movements.
Arrived safe & sound. We arrived in Belgrade to meet up with the American team. Unfortunately, the first group did not arrive and was stuck in the states due to bad weather. We ate dinner in Belgrade, met the Norwegians and walked around the fortress. Afterwards, we met up with the second part of the group and drove to the camp location.
July 20
Today we met as a team to finalize our camp preparations and then Ryan, Jany S., Ben and I took a train to Zilina to pick up the blue van from Kompas. We will use this vehicle during our time in Serbia. We also picked up two more teammates, Katka & Sveta, from Czech Republic who will come down to help us with this camp.
I am looking forward to bringing down a multi-cultural team made up Americans, Slovaks & Czechs. It has been a dream of mine to take a few nationals into another culture to experience mission's life.
July 19
Today, our team took a day off to the mountains. We visit the Tatry and spent a few hours in a peaceful, tranquil location with the Lord. It was a much needed time to just stop and be with the Lord.
In the evening, Ryan, Ben and I went bowling with a few guys and then had them all over for dinner.
July 18
Today, we rested in the morning and then went to the pool with some students. This evening we spent time with Jaro, one of our Slovak leaders, and rested.
July 17
Preparing for Serbia. Please be in prayer with us as we prepare for the next three weeks. We are in a battle now and know we will be in a stronger one in the weeks to come. Thanks for your partnership.
July 16
Rested for most of the day, had lunch with Jaro & Luba, who serve with the youth ministry. It was a great meal and nice visit with them. Afterwards, Ryan and I went to pick up Ben, who was an intern last year. He will be with us this week and will go to Serbia as he is leading his church team for the first camp.
Over the summer, I have had several out of country guests visit me. I have enjoyed each visitor and am thankful for each person who has come to visit- Josh, Will, Matt, Simon, & Ben.
In the evening, we went to Maruska's new poetry reading debut. She wrote her second book and had a great turnout for her event. It was fun to see so many people who are involved in her life or she in theirs. Afterwards, Jany S., Ryan and I played Acquire board game. Jany won!
July 15
Praise the Lord! They found Tomas this morning and he is in critical condition.
Today, Ryan and I spent the afternoon with Jany & Mato Figura's family at their cottage. We ate very well and had several great conversations. Afterwards, we attended Ryan's going away party. Over 50 kids were present and had a nice time saying good-bye to Ryan.
During the talk, several of the students came up front to share their experiences and feelings from the camp. Tomas, the boy I mentioned in my prayer letter (Kecy Love), came up and shared. He was thankful that he came to camp, that we poured ourselves into him and that we shared the gospel. He is really thinking about his faith in God & wants to get into the small groups that the team will lead over the summer.
Towards the end of the evening, my friend came to me about our conversation regarding the Mormons. It was a very encouraging conversation that showed me he was thinking, researching and wanting to know more. Thanks for praying.
July 14
Happy Birthday Christian, my nephew- who turns one today!
Today, Ryan and I spent with a few students. We are wrapping things up with KECY-PO and preparing for Serbia Chat Camps. Would ask that you pray for two things:
a) Friend heading to the states- a friend of ours will go to USA next month as an exchange student. I found out that he will live with a Mormon family. Today, Ryan & I shared some thoughts to encourage them to research more into it & the differences between them and Christianity. Please pray for understanding.
b) Lost boy Thomas- our children's ministry at our church in PO held a camp this week. Yesterday, they were hiking in the Tatra's and he got lost. They are currently doing a search and rescue for him and would ask you to be in prayer for the youth leaders, search crew, family and little boy.
Thanks.
July 13
Today, we spent the entire day at the pool with students and got a lot of sun! It is really encouraging to watch Ryan connect well with the students. He has developed several deep friendships and the students really like being around him. It is going to be hard on us all when he has to leave.
July 12
Visited CZ for a meeting related to my new position with JosiahVenture. Afterwards, returned home to spend time with students. In the evening, Jany S. invited Ryan and a few others to spend the evening at his cottage. We had fun eating, laughing, sharing stories and playing games.
July 11
Rested.
In the afternoon, Anka, Ryan, Peter and myself visited Petra at the hospital. She is doing well. We gave her a bible, book and magnet to cheer her up. She is not attached to any boards, just lying on her back. In a few weeks, she will move to another hospital in PO where she will get a backboard. She said that she has had lots of family and friends visit her and was thankful that we came.
July 10
This morning we rested and this afternoon we plan to go swimming with the KECY students. The weather is very hot here like over 80 degrees!
July 9
Celebration left for home early this morning. The rest of the day Ryan, Jany S. & I crashed at my place. In the evening, we held a FIFA World Cup Final Match party. We had over 20 students at my flat watching the game on the big wall.
July 8
Follow-up time!Today, Celebration spent the morning visiting the city and then went to lunch at student homes. This provided them a chance to get a taste of what life is like in Slovakia. Afterwards, we hiked up to a nearby castle and cooked Slovak Sausage. We had almost half of the students there with us.
July 1-7
THINK AGAIN- Summer English Camp! For more details, visit the July prayer letter.
