EAST BOHEMIA ENGLISH CAMP JULY 7-20, 2008
From July 7-20th we were in a forest lodge at an English Camp sponsored by five churches from as many small towns; Usti nad Orlici, Rychnov, Dobruska, Chocen and Kraliky. The staff consisted of three pastors with their wives and eight children; a teen from North Carolina and Ken and Linda as the native speakers. Nicol and Lad'a from Usti; Katka, serving the Chocen church; and Martin Vlasak, the youth pastor from Liberec completed the leadership team. We have known Nicol, Katka and Martin since their early teen years when they became believers and we have worked with all the pastors before, individually not as a group.
As the more experienced pastor at the Camp, Pastor Dan from Usti nad Orlici was the leader. He was unable to recruit an English speaking team and because of this, promotion for the camp was late in coming. In the end, there were only eleven students who participated in the Camp. The camp facility manager reduced the price for the camp, helping Pastor Daniel decide to go for it by faith. Because we are here to serve the pastors in this country, we went by faith also.
We spent three days in a leader's retreat planning the 10 day camp. Things were chaotic at first but we came up with plans for each day. We need to give a big applause and thank you to Martin and Katka for carrying the lion's share of the load for program execution. They are both experienced English Campers and full of energy; a much needed commodity for a camp with teenagers.
Each day the English lesson, acivities and evening program followed by small group discussions centered around a theme based on a movie genre, i.e. adventure, musical, romance. There was lots of fun but we also looked at some serious issues facing all teens, like drugs, smoking, relationships, fear and others.
In the ten days we were with the students, we were able to get to know them well and they us. Late in the week they came to us with their questons and problems and we were able to pray for them and counsel them. One student was delivered from nightly bad dreams. Another prayed to renounce her former occultish practices and her whole personality changed from dark and withdrawn to cheerful and friendly. Relationships were built and as the teens return to their hometowns they will know that the pastor and his family will be there for them. Although it was very challenging, it was also a very fullfilling and blessed time. Yes, God had victory in mind when we saw problems. We are glad we chose to walk by faith and not by sight. Anyone out there know of a team who would like to be part of an English Camp in the Czech Republic next summer?
As the more experienced pastor at the Camp, Pastor Dan from Usti nad Orlici was the leader. He was unable to recruit an English speaking team and because of this, promotion for the camp was late in coming. In the end, there were only eleven students who participated in the Camp. The camp facility manager reduced the price for the camp, helping Pastor Daniel decide to go for it by faith. Because we are here to serve the pastors in this country, we went by faith also.
We spent three days in a leader's retreat planning the 10 day camp. Things were chaotic at first but we came up with plans for each day. We need to give a big applause and thank you to Martin and Katka for carrying the lion's share of the load for program execution. They are both experienced English Campers and full of energy; a much needed commodity for a camp with teenagers.
Each day the English lesson, acivities and evening program followed by small group discussions centered around a theme based on a movie genre, i.e. adventure, musical, romance. There was lots of fun but we also looked at some serious issues facing all teens, like drugs, smoking, relationships, fear and others.
In the ten days we were with the students, we were able to get to know them well and they us. Late in the week they came to us with their questons and problems and we were able to pray for them and counsel them. One student was delivered from nightly bad dreams. Another prayed to renounce her former occultish practices and her whole personality changed from dark and withdrawn to cheerful and friendly. Relationships were built and as the teens return to their hometowns they will know that the pastor and his family will be there for them. Although it was very challenging, it was also a very fullfilling and blessed time. Yes, God had victory in mind when we saw problems. We are glad we chose to walk by faith and not by sight. Anyone out there know of a team who would like to be part of an English Camp in the Czech Republic next summer?
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