From top to bottom: Pavlina and I. She and Veronika were such great hosts to me when we visited for the weekend and for follow up too. Dani and I, Dani is a new friend I met. He is not a Christian yet. He and I had fun teaching each other our languages. Vita and I...Vita did the filming of this past camp and I have a lot to learn from him. He is a good brother. Sarah, Chris and I on top of the White Tower in the square in Hradec. And the last is of Hradec from the top of the tower.
One Camp Done Two More to Go
So Hradec camp went really well. There was potential for lots of comparisons to be made between this camp and previous years because this camp was run by a new Czech youth group leader and a new American youth group team leader. Many of the same people who had come to help in years past were not here. But the students didn't complain. They all embraced the newness of camp and jumped in. I had all girls in my class this week which was pretty fun. We had a higher level than usual in the beginning class so I had to work to make my lessons harder but it was fun in the end. My main goal was to help them use the English they already knew. One day we had a "girls day" and talked about personality and boys. Camp seriously FLEW by. It felt like three days not one week. I had a lot of fun improving my Czech language as well. I cannot tell you guys just how much I love camps! I'm sure it is because I grew up going to camp myself. So I think part of my love for camp stems from my own experiences but I think I also really love the time we get with these Czech students to share English and to share the hope of Jesus. So we have a team arriving from Arizona to help us with the Prague camp.
It Is God Who Chooses
At the last American team training they had a couple of Czech's who are interns this summer share their stories about how they became Christians. One was really into Darwinism and thought that Christianity was just for elderly people or people who were not smart. The other used his intellect to often argue against Christians and did not want to be a Christian. He went to camp a couple times and was fighting against God and becoming a Christian but eventually found that no matter how hard he tried to resist it, there was God's love for him. Hearing these two stories before camp was really encouraging for me. And I often would remember that its not me, or my team, or anyone besides God that is going to cause these students to give up their atheism and to trust in the hope of Christ. A verse that we read a few times in the morning sessions also encouraged me in this...John 15:16 "You did not choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name." I also was really encouraged by reading again about Paul's conversion. He was chasing after Christians in hopes of imprisoning them when he was met on the road of Damascus by Jesus. So you see, I really believe that, if we were all honest with ourselves, we did not choose God. It was not on our own initiative that we who are Christians became Christians. In each of our stories if we are looking, we will see the truth that it was God who chose US. I feel like that gives me so much for freedom in sharing the gospel. Its not up to me to save the students at camp, all I can do is share the hope and truth and joy and love that comes in Christ and then leave the rest up to God and His timing.
Time flies When Your Having Fun
The summer is about 2/3 over. In one month from today Sarah and Chris will leave. I wish I could find a way to slow time down so this month could somehow feel like a year...to somehow find a way to get MORE time with these two, who have become my summer family and my dear friends. This is one of the hardest parts of the summer, building relationships with people you may or may not see again. But it is always worth it. My life will never be the same now that I've met Sarah and Chris. They and Brad and Lucie have impacted me a lot and I am blessed to get to spend another month with this family.
How you can join the adventure...
*Praise God for my restored health!!! Thanks for ALL your prayers. I still have a small cough but its more just regular asthma cough now. So thanks again.
*Praise God for the work he began in the hearts of students at camp! Pray He continues that work
*Pray for the health of the Ottowa team that was helping us. Many of them got sick.
*Pray for our relationship with the team arriving from AZ and the Prague youth group.
*Praise God for the unity that we had with the Ottowa team and Bri, Amy and Breanne.
*Pray that Sarah, Chris, Brad Lucie and I can continue to go deep with eachother that we can keep building these bonds.
*Pray for safe travels between Malenovice and the camp.
Thanks guys for staying involved and for all the support and love. To God and His glory!
Em
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