Familiarity is a rarity on the World Race;
it’s something we tend to cling to when we find it.
it’s something we tend to cling to when we find it.
Last week we were extremely blessed to work
with a missions group from America (see “Pure Coincidence”) in an
English Bible Camp in Petrodolina. It was the first time our tents had been
pulled out in a while, and we were all excited to be getting some personal
isolation for a few days.
with a missions group from America (see “Pure Coincidence”) in an
English Bible Camp in Petrodolina. It was the first time our tents had been
pulled out in a while, and we were all excited to be getting some personal
isolation for a few days.
The camp, which ran Monday-Friday, took
place at a public school down the road from the church we were staying at. The
daily agenda included 3 different English sessions mixed in with sessions in
music, crafts, and sports.
place at a public school down the road from the church we were staying at. The
daily agenda included 3 different English sessions mixed in with sessions in
music, crafts, and sports.
The first couple of days I had a great time
helping out the Moberly sisters in crafts, which included the fun and messy
paper-mace!
helping out the Moberly sisters in crafts, which included the fun and messy
paper-mace!
We were aiming for bowls, but most of the boys settled on
helmets…I have no idea where they would’ve gotten such an idea.
The last few days of camp Theresa and I
organized the sports sessions. The first couple of days had been a bit chaotic,
but I knew exactly what they needed…4-Square! Sure enough, they loved it; the
older kids were no longer too-cool to play, and the teachers even got in on the
action! In fact, one session began chanting “HeT!” (Russian: No!)
when we told them it was time for lunch; the game was an instant classic.
organized the sports sessions. The first couple of days had been a bit chaotic,
but I knew exactly what they needed…4-Square! Sure enough, they loved it; the
older kids were no longer too-cool to play, and the teachers even got in on the
action! In fact, one session began chanting “HeT!” (Russian: No!)
when we told them it was time for lunch; the game was an instant classic.
The camp ended strongly, and the kids had a
blast. I know for a lot of them this will be a week they’ll never forget, as
well as for a lot of us teachers/staff. God definitely showed up in a big way!
blast. I know for a lot of them this will be a week they’ll never forget, as
well as for a lot of us teachers/staff. God definitely showed up in a big way!
Perhaps the biggest blessing of this week
was the opportunity to be in community with other believers from home. I said
above that when we find familiarity, we run to it. There’s a lot to be said
about getting to converse with people every day that simply speak your language
well, not to mention pick up on your references, understand your sarcastic
jokes, and can share their stories with you.
I’m extremely thankful for God’s timing in
this opportunity. Being amongst Americans again (non WR Americans) was
invaluable as I got a little taste of what re-entry will be like in just a
couple weeks. I know some areas that I’m going to need to start preparing my
heart for, as well as things that I am really excited to share with people back
home. As always, our Father is so good to us; His love never fails.
this opportunity. Being amongst Americans again (non WR Americans) was
invaluable as I got a little taste of what re-entry will be like in just a
couple weeks. I know some areas that I’m going to need to start preparing my
heart for, as well as things that I am really excited to share with people back
home. As always, our Father is so good to us; His love never fails.
