Hello from
Mostar,
Bosnia.
Yes, I am back in Mostar with the Blue Team!!
I joined the Red Team for the past 2 weeks and had a blast on a beautiful island in
Croatia (
Young
Island).
We went to summer camp!!
For those of you who know me…you know how much I LOVE summer camp.
I have been either a camper or a counselor for….too many years to count.
It was such a blessing to be able to join my friends and meet so many new friends the past two weeks.
We hopped on a bus on to the unknown the morning of June 30th.
After 5 hours of winding, hilly roads (not great for those of us who get car sick) we came to a port.
I knew we were going to an island, but did not expect a cruise.
I am exaggerating, but we (about 70 people) loaded on a huge boat for a 45 minute “cruise” to our island.
I was expecting something like Camp Anawanna (remember that show). We got there and I was in shock.
It was the most beautiful place.
A small island in the middle of the
Adriatic Sea.
The view was stunning.
I knew it was going to be a great two weeks.
After settling in our tent (Sarah and I chose to sleep in the Parent Trap style tents amongst the kids and other volunteers), we starting mingling with the kids.
Most of the kids could not speak English.
You better believe I found the 4 kids that did and used them as my “little interpreters,” lucky for us those kids were staying for both weeks.
Although there was a language barrier, we all really bonded with the children.
There were some who would just talk to us as if we understood them (they were cute).
A typical day of camp was….
8ish – waking up
8:15 – aerobics
8:30 – cabin check (Sarah and I checked the cabins…many volunteers had severe punishments)
8:45 – breakfast (always eggs, white bread w/ butter and jelly)
9:30 – morning swim
11ish – worship and sermon
12ish – small group time (discussion of sermon…IN CROATIAN)
1ish – lunch (great variety)
1:30 – afternoon workshops (I floated around or napped)
2:30 – afternoon swim (the water was amazing…my favorite part of the day)
6ish – dinner (some of the best camp food I have ever had)
6:30 – soccer games (I played once…not quite ready for the women’s olympic team)
8ish – karaoke (this was hilarious…CROATIAN IDOL)
11ish – dance party (I really cannot dance)
1ish – prayer meeting for leaders (under the stars)
?? – sleep
The second week, the nights ended earlier which was NEEDED.
I do not function well on that little sleep.
I faked it pretty good, but by the second week I was exhausted.
Camp was full of laughter, learning, worshipping, karaoke, dance parties, walking uphill, craving fanta, swimming, soccer games, talent shows, beautiful sunsets, staying up REALLY late, and prayer.
I am very thankful that I had the opportunity to attend camp.
Now that I am back in Mostar, I miss my friends and “island life.”
Thank you Red Team for letting me tag along!!! You all are great fun!!!
Prayer Requests – that all the kids would continue to grow in their knowledge of Jesus, friendships would continue with those that I can encourage, and rest/energy for volunteers & children.
