Thursday, July 28, 2011
And We're off!
We leave Hope Center in a few minutes 12:00 noon Ukraine time. We will be going to a pizza place in Kerch for lunch and then heading off to Simferopol. We will eat dinner at Simferopol at McDonald's and then head to the Airport. Our team Team Fly's out of Simferopol at 8:35 pm and fly into Keiv at 10:00pm Then we walk a few blocks to the hotel. Were we get a couple hours sleep then head back to the airport at about 3:30 to make our 5:35am flight to Frankfurt. We then have a 5 1/2 hour lay over in Frankfurt then leave at 12:55pm (which will feel like 1:55 to us) and arrive in Phillidelphia at 4:pm (But this will feel like 11 pm our time) we have a 2 hour and 15 minute lay over...which is just enough time for customs usually. Then we leave at 6:15pm and get into Minneapolis at 8:26 pm (which will feel like 4:30 am Saturday morning) by the time we get our luggage and travel home, It will feel like 6:00 am Saturday morning...but It will only be about 10 pm on Friday. So if we don't call and say to everyone Hi we are home, you will know why. Please pray for safe travels. Thanks
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Day 9
The kids left today. Most just after breakfast. A few a little later, a little less at about 4 and the rest at midnight. So today was a day to just hang out with them.
The team went on a little excursion to down town. We went to the metradat and walked around the ruins that look roman by the pillars but with out a tour guide I'm not sure. There also was the memorial about the world war and the 420 steps to go down. I have gone up in past years but in 95-100 degree heat that wasn't about to happen :o). After that we did a little shopping and came back home.
We had Shashlik (kind of like shish-kabob but way better - meat is marinated for 24-48 hours then wood is chopped and set on fire. Wait till you just have coals. Sprinkle with water and salt to make more smoke and then very slowly cook the meat, so tender and so tasty) We learned from the counselors some of the stories of the kids. I'll try to send that later to you. And we shared Smores with them. A treat as they don't really have marshmallows here and can't do that.
A few highlights that I have heard over and over again. Is that the kids love this camp. They go to a lot of camps but non christian, and this stands out to them as very different. They love that people actually pay attention to them, and are nice and don't cuss, and have interesting games for them to play. Many begged to stay for another camp. Others called their counselors less than an hour after they left and said how much they still miss it.
Also I told you I would tell you more if I knew of more kids that gave their lives to Christ. This camp seamed to have a good number of kids with some Christian Background. Some said they have prayed the prayer of salvation before. But all of our ward 4 boys prayed with us (the youngest in the group). Also 1 boy had hurt himself after a game. He was limping for days. In the day before the salvation message, he still limped. But in the evening after the skit he was jumping around and doing cartwheels. Wondering about the miraculous healing one team member asked and he said he was healed after giving his life to Christ.
Please pray as these kids go home that God continues to work in their lives and protects them from all hard things in their lives or gives them the strength to get through it!
And tomorrow we start home at noon, I most likely won't be posting before then so please pray for safety on the bus ride and 4 planes and (walking to the hotel between our 1st and 2nd plan in Keiv at 10:30 at night)
Naomi
The team went on a little excursion to down town. We went to the metradat and walked around the ruins that look roman by the pillars but with out a tour guide I'm not sure. There also was the memorial about the world war and the 420 steps to go down. I have gone up in past years but in 95-100 degree heat that wasn't about to happen :o). After that we did a little shopping and came back home.
We had Shashlik (kind of like shish-kabob but way better - meat is marinated for 24-48 hours then wood is chopped and set on fire. Wait till you just have coals. Sprinkle with water and salt to make more smoke and then very slowly cook the meat, so tender and so tasty) We learned from the counselors some of the stories of the kids. I'll try to send that later to you. And we shared Smores with them. A treat as they don't really have marshmallows here and can't do that.
A few highlights that I have heard over and over again. Is that the kids love this camp. They go to a lot of camps but non christian, and this stands out to them as very different. They love that people actually pay attention to them, and are nice and don't cuss, and have interesting games for them to play. Many begged to stay for another camp. Others called their counselors less than an hour after they left and said how much they still miss it.
Also I told you I would tell you more if I knew of more kids that gave their lives to Christ. This camp seamed to have a good number of kids with some Christian Background. Some said they have prayed the prayer of salvation before. But all of our ward 4 boys prayed with us (the youngest in the group). Also 1 boy had hurt himself after a game. He was limping for days. In the day before the salvation message, he still limped. But in the evening after the skit he was jumping around and doing cartwheels. Wondering about the miraculous healing one team member asked and he said he was healed after giving his life to Christ.
Please pray as these kids go home that God continues to work in their lives and protects them from all hard things in their lives or gives them the strength to get through it!
And tomorrow we start home at noon, I most likely won't be posting before then so please pray for safety on the bus ride and 4 planes and (walking to the hotel between our 1st and 2nd plan in Keiv at 10:30 at night)
Naomi
Day 8
Today is the last full day of camp. The morning started as usual. Hair, Exercises, Breakfast, Bible Lesson Sea.
The Bible lesson was called I'm ready. It was about making sure the kids can take the tools with them that they need to continue their faith when they leave this place. Encouragement (through phone & letters of friends here at camp, Bible, Prayer for strength, remembrance of our forgiveness and that we are loved by God. And most important of all that we need to bring Jesus with us. It was my lesson, but Many team members helped me out with skits that went with the story.
At the sea we did relay games. It was like 95+ degrees out and high humidity, so the doctor said that I needed to include a lot of games that got the kids wet. We did a sponge relay were the kids have to get a team member wet with a sponge. We did a run to a team member 20 feet in the water and then make a basket using a balloon instead of a ball and their arms for the hoop. And last we did tug of war in the water. It was fun.
The afternoon we did the closing ceremony/talent show. Each ward did or 2 things. The counselors did a song and we had very funny MC's. The international team did a skit that we thought was hilarious... and for the second time in my 21 camps her the kids also thought is was hilarious. It was about a couple at a movie theater that couldn't sit next to each other. So they had to pass their affection down the line. Which was Boy, Girl, Boy, Boy, Girl, Boy Girl, Girl. So you can imagine how awkward and hilarious we got as this affection was passed down the line. First an arm on the shoulder, then a head on the shoulder, then a tickle, then a hand on the knee, then a kiss on the cheek, but when the kiss on the lips was about to happen everyone in the middle moved.
After Supper we did the last craft (draw your own puzzle). Then the Bonfire (on a 95+ high humidity day) as 6 ft tall bonfire looses its appeal. But we did it anyway as it is tradition. (Not to mention the mosquitos were out!) We sang all the songs of camp then the kids were able to come say thanks, then we prayed for the kids and they prayed for us. The evening ended with a slide show.
For the younger kids bedtime stories was just good night and prayers. We went to the older kids and had almost the whole time. In my group Nicole (a team member from colorado) made chocolate cookies with the girls and we had them this night. This is a big deal as they don't have brown sugar here in Ukraine or chocolate chips. We brought some but since our luggage was still lost (yes we have been here 9 days and we still don't have our CARRY ON) - although it came later this night!!!...but the chocolate chips were now in one big block! So they just used regular chocolate chopped up.
Did I mention that we got our luggage today! So excited! I don't know if we mentioned the story. They made Darren Check his carry on in Frankfort. It got lost. We took almost an Hour just to report it. Then after calling them when we got to camp they told us that we would get it on the morning of Day 2 of camp. Better yet they delivered it on then end of Day 1... but it wasn't our bag. So they have no idea where our bag is! So a few days later they said they found it and that it would be delivered on Day 5 or 6 of camp. So when we didn't get it that day we called. They said they thought they knew where it was, but they did not. Again they have no idea where it is. We called a few more time and still no information. Then as I was going to craft time on Day 8 they deliver the bag, yes it was ours and the only thing they took out of it was almonds. I assume that it was because they thought they were seeds to plant.
The Bible lesson was called I'm ready. It was about making sure the kids can take the tools with them that they need to continue their faith when they leave this place. Encouragement (through phone & letters of friends here at camp, Bible, Prayer for strength, remembrance of our forgiveness and that we are loved by God. And most important of all that we need to bring Jesus with us. It was my lesson, but Many team members helped me out with skits that went with the story.
At the sea we did relay games. It was like 95+ degrees out and high humidity, so the doctor said that I needed to include a lot of games that got the kids wet. We did a sponge relay were the kids have to get a team member wet with a sponge. We did a run to a team member 20 feet in the water and then make a basket using a balloon instead of a ball and their arms for the hoop. And last we did tug of war in the water. It was fun.
The afternoon we did the closing ceremony/talent show. Each ward did or 2 things. The counselors did a song and we had very funny MC's. The international team did a skit that we thought was hilarious... and for the second time in my 21 camps her the kids also thought is was hilarious. It was about a couple at a movie theater that couldn't sit next to each other. So they had to pass their affection down the line. Which was Boy, Girl, Boy, Boy, Girl, Boy Girl, Girl. So you can imagine how awkward and hilarious we got as this affection was passed down the line. First an arm on the shoulder, then a head on the shoulder, then a tickle, then a hand on the knee, then a kiss on the cheek, but when the kiss on the lips was about to happen everyone in the middle moved.
After Supper we did the last craft (draw your own puzzle). Then the Bonfire (on a 95+ high humidity day) as 6 ft tall bonfire looses its appeal. But we did it anyway as it is tradition. (Not to mention the mosquitos were out!) We sang all the songs of camp then the kids were able to come say thanks, then we prayed for the kids and they prayed for us. The evening ended with a slide show.
For the younger kids bedtime stories was just good night and prayers. We went to the older kids and had almost the whole time. In my group Nicole (a team member from colorado) made chocolate cookies with the girls and we had them this night. This is a big deal as they don't have brown sugar here in Ukraine or chocolate chips. We brought some but since our luggage was still lost (yes we have been here 9 days and we still don't have our CARRY ON) - although it came later this night!!!...but the chocolate chips were now in one big block! So they just used regular chocolate chopped up.
Did I mention that we got our luggage today! So excited! I don't know if we mentioned the story. They made Darren Check his carry on in Frankfort. It got lost. We took almost an Hour just to report it. Then after calling them when we got to camp they told us that we would get it on the morning of Day 2 of camp. Better yet they delivered it on then end of Day 1... but it wasn't our bag. So they have no idea where our bag is! So a few days later they said they found it and that it would be delivered on Day 5 or 6 of camp. So when we didn't get it that day we called. They said they thought they knew where it was, but they did not. Again they have no idea where it is. We called a few more time and still no information. Then as I was going to craft time on Day 8 they deliver the bag, yes it was ours and the only thing they took out of it was almonds. I assume that it was because they thought they were seeds to plant.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Day 7
Today the general schedule was the same as usual.
The morning Bible lesson was about how the Angels Celebrate when we give our lives to Christ, a follow up from yesterday (Each kid was given a noise maker - and wow did they erupt in excitement and joy) and about how the only thing that will satisfy us is Jesus. We will keep looking until we find that one thing that fills the hole in our hearts.
At the Sea we did bubbles and kites. In the afternoon we practiced for the closing ceremony tomorrow and played another round of Biffer. The craft was bead crosses and then the kids watched a Russian Film about a soccer team. They seemed to love it.
Sorry the blog gets shorter, but our days are getting longer and with less rest time in the middle.
Please pray for continued physical strength and emotional strength as tomorrow is the last day.
The morning Bible lesson was about how the Angels Celebrate when we give our lives to Christ, a follow up from yesterday (Each kid was given a noise maker - and wow did they erupt in excitement and joy) and about how the only thing that will satisfy us is Jesus. We will keep looking until we find that one thing that fills the hole in our hearts.
At the Sea we did bubbles and kites. In the afternoon we practiced for the closing ceremony tomorrow and played another round of Biffer. The craft was bead crosses and then the kids watched a Russian Film about a soccer team. They seemed to love it.
Sorry the blog gets shorter, but our days are getting longer and with less rest time in the middle.
Please pray for continued physical strength and emotional strength as tomorrow is the last day.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Day 6
Because today is Sunday we did not have morning exercises. The kids were able to sleep in 20 minutes (and us too!) We then helped do hair and had breakfast.
Morning Bible Lesson was about the Prodigal Son and Forgiveness...which lead up to the Salvation Message later tonight.
At the Sea the kids built Sand castles. And they were great!
Afternoon we had interest groups. Which were interrupted by a non-game game. Let me explain. I believe that satan can be very crafty and do anything to distract you. Over the years this has been so obvious as weirdest and most distracting things happen on this day. This day some things of some value were stolen from the Team's Building, causing much frustration and some anger. The counselors searched the kids buildings and bags but nothing was found. We figured that any smart person wouldn't hide the stolen things in their own stuff, but some where on the grounds of camp. So we created the game, for the kids to find "something precious" that was lost, of course a prize was offered for those who found the real missing objects. And off they went searching and bringing to us anything precious. We found many missing things (Great lost and found Game). Including a key to one of the rooms in our building...and after 45 minutes of every one looking the stolen items were found hidden away in a bathroom. God is good and does not let Satan's distractions get in our way. We don't know who took them...but that isn't really important anyway. So after finding this the kids went back to there interest groups.
Later we had dinner and after that was the Salvation Message. We did a skit, then Andrey the camp director spoke explaining how there is only one way to heaven. After that the kids broke into their groups and talked and prayed with their counselors. It was all done in Russian, because we didn't want to have anything lost in translation. In my group I don't know how many students gave their lives to Christ for the first time. But Many followed in prayer aloud. I will be able to talk with the other groups tomorrow, and tell you more.
After this we did a Salvation bracelet craft. Again the oldest girls helped teach it to all the kids.
Bedtime stories in my group were great! The Girls (all around 14 years old) are asking really hard questions. "What will happen to a person who is not a Christian, but sins less than a Christian does?" What is Heaven and Hell Like? Do you believe in Speaking in Tongues? Does God know if you will choose Heaven or Hell? Why do people who know that worshiping Satan is wrong still do it? If Satan doesn't love us why does he want us to follow him? So that was our 45 minutes...and tomorrow we will continue tackling more questions. We try as much as possible to research and answer straight from the bible, teaching them to find their answers in the same way when the leave this place.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Day 5
Again today was a typical Camp Day. Here are the highlights
Bible Lesson was about Being Loved. Jason & Leah were the main characters in the skit and the kids where silent as they listened carefully.
At the sea we did sand tatoos and again saw dolpins. It is a big deal for the children to see them, because for many they have never seen them before.
After lunch we did Relay games: 3-legged Race, water balloon toss, obstacle course, Pebbles on the pond, walk, and Suitcase Dress-up. The kids liked it very much.
After dinner we tried to teach them an easier version of Kick ball. A few kids loved it. But many opted out. Next time we will try something different.
For craft we made frames and gave each of the kids a picture of themselves and a friend if they chose from earlier in camp.
Pray for strength and endurance as we are all tired from the long days. Also pray for God to continue to move in the hearts of the children for tomorrow we will be giving the salvation message.
Bible Lesson was about Being Loved. Jason & Leah were the main characters in the skit and the kids where silent as they listened carefully.
At the sea we did sand tatoos and again saw dolpins. It is a big deal for the children to see them, because for many they have never seen them before.
After lunch we did Relay games: 3-legged Race, water balloon toss, obstacle course, Pebbles on the pond, walk, and Suitcase Dress-up. The kids liked it very much.
After dinner we tried to teach them an easier version of Kick ball. A few kids loved it. But many opted out. Next time we will try something different.
For craft we made frames and gave each of the kids a picture of themselves and a friend if they chose from earlier in camp.
Pray for strength and endurance as we are all tired from the long days. Also pray for God to continue to move in the hearts of the children for tomorrow we will be giving the salvation message.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Day 4
It is hard to believe that we are 1/2 way through camp already. Again today was a typical Day Like Yesterday (Read the last post to get an idea of the order of the day) Here are the things that are different.
The Bible Lesson was about how God chooses us. Mattie did the lesson and most of the team helped with a skit called the King of Hearts. The kids really liked it!
At the sea the kids worked on a scavenger hunt and also liked this. The hardest thing that was found was a sea horse! And I learned some random facts like the word for bone and peach pit are the same in Russian.
In the afternoon we did interest groups. The kids loved the choices, Plastic Lacing Bracelets, Cross crafts, coloring, dance, how to make balloon animals (The best part is that the teacher - Darren was also learning on the spot!) and of course soccer.
The craft was friendship books and we kept the kids in the dinning hall signing books while their counselors hid. Which was the final game of the night. To find their counselors.
The Bible Lesson was about how God chooses us. Mattie did the lesson and most of the team helped with a skit called the King of Hearts. The kids really liked it!
At the sea the kids worked on a scavenger hunt and also liked this. The hardest thing that was found was a sea horse! And I learned some random facts like the word for bone and peach pit are the same in Russian.
In the afternoon we did interest groups. The kids loved the choices, Plastic Lacing Bracelets, Cross crafts, coloring, dance, how to make balloon animals (The best part is that the teacher - Darren was also learning on the spot!) and of course soccer.
The craft was friendship books and we kept the kids in the dinning hall signing books while their counselors hid. Which was the final game of the night. To find their counselors.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Day 3
Today was a typical Day at camp. Devotions/Prayer, Help with Hair, Morning Exercise, Breakfast, Bible Lesson, Sea, Lunch, Biffer, Supper, Bible Ceremony, Craft, Bedtime stories. So let me just expound on a few of these things.
The Bible Lesson was you are Unique. Morgan did a great job explaining that God made each of us just as we are and loves us as such.
At the sea we asked kids to make unique sand creatures. About 5 were made and were very creative. Although I'm finding that the kids are so eager to go swimming that if it is not their turn they often just sit on the edge and wait.
Ummm...Biffer. The explanation is long. A great Camp game that the kids LOVE and beg for. If you want to know more let me know.
Tonight was the Bible Ceremony. Morgan also did this lesson with the kids, talking about the Bible and how we use it to guide us. After which each child was given a bible. Either a New Testament or a bible that explains the stories in a comic book style. We have some kids who have been in the past and already have a New Testament, so for them and the younger kids got the Comic Style Bible.
Craft was a book mark for the bibles. I taught it to the oldest girls and they taught it to the rest of the kids. It was great to watch them take others under their wings and help them! But it was a long craft and after an hour we still were not done. So we will make it an interest group tomorrow.
As for Bedtime Stories. The kids are starting to ask deep questions. "We learned that God has always existed, but what about the devil?" "If God knows everything including the future, how do we really have choice?" And Jason's boys continue to be moved to really change their lives for God. Today all were in tears talking about forgiveness and prayer request. He has the oldest boys which are usually the hardest to soften hearts, have been completely moved by the Holy Spirit. Praise God for all he is doing.
The Bible Lesson was you are Unique. Morgan did a great job explaining that God made each of us just as we are and loves us as such.
At the sea we asked kids to make unique sand creatures. About 5 were made and were very creative. Although I'm finding that the kids are so eager to go swimming that if it is not their turn they often just sit on the edge and wait.
Ummm...Biffer. The explanation is long. A great Camp game that the kids LOVE and beg for. If you want to know more let me know.
Tonight was the Bible Ceremony. Morgan also did this lesson with the kids, talking about the Bible and how we use it to guide us. After which each child was given a bible. Either a New Testament or a bible that explains the stories in a comic book style. We have some kids who have been in the past and already have a New Testament, so for them and the younger kids got the Comic Style Bible.
Craft was a book mark for the bibles. I taught it to the oldest girls and they taught it to the rest of the kids. It was great to watch them take others under their wings and help them! But it was a long craft and after an hour we still were not done. So we will make it an interest group tomorrow.
As for Bedtime Stories. The kids are starting to ask deep questions. "We learned that God has always existed, but what about the devil?" "If God knows everything including the future, how do we really have choice?" And Jason's boys continue to be moved to really change their lives for God. Today all were in tears talking about forgiveness and prayer request. He has the oldest boys which are usually the hardest to soften hearts, have been completely moved by the Holy Spirit. Praise God for all he is doing.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Day 2
Although this is the second day at camp it is our first full day. We started with helping the youngest girls with hair at 7:30, then we quickly moved to Morning Exercises. After Breakfast we had our first Bible Lesson.
Darren gave the lesson it was called "I'm Created" and is about Creation. We did a small skit with it that involved me running around and putting props on a table to represent each of the things God Created. Andrey the director of camp, was the voice of God. So now it is clearly understood that God is Russian, because this it the language he speaks :o)
After this we went to the sea for the first time. For some this was the very first time ever. They hardly wanted to rotate and come out of the water at all.
In the afternoon we did interest groups where children could pick where they wanted to go. Most...or all of the older boys were at soccer. Other children played volleyball. Some children helped us make drawings of creation. Many girls got their nails done. Some children made friendship bracelets. And the last group played table and card games.
After supper we had the opening ceremony. Each of the kids gave the name of the wards. Some are very hard to translate, but as far as we can figure we have Rainbow, Dolphin, The Tricksters, and The Weird People (still working on translating that last one better :o) We are the Puzzle people, since our Theme is how do we all fit in. The kids did 2 skits. One was a salvation skit we were considering doing. So we found that some of our kids understand and/or have been told of the salvation story before.
Opening Ceremony is followed by craft time, in which we took a little bit of God's creation (a pine cone) and used pipe cleaners, pom poms, Google eyes, and feathers to create there own creation. These kids are very creative.
Here is the Best news of the day...Are you sitting down? You may want to put on a sweater because it gave me the chills. Jason's Went to bedtime stories to talk to the boys about what goals they have. Many said to go to heaven and God started Tugging on his heart. There is no reason to wait till the end of camp to ask kids if they want to give their lives to Christ. So he listened and gave them the option to pray with him to give there lives to Christ. ALL 10 gave their lives to Christ! God continues to amaze me. Please continue to pray that God works in the hearts of all kids at camp!
Darren gave the lesson it was called "I'm Created" and is about Creation. We did a small skit with it that involved me running around and putting props on a table to represent each of the things God Created. Andrey the director of camp, was the voice of God. So now it is clearly understood that God is Russian, because this it the language he speaks :o)
After this we went to the sea for the first time. For some this was the very first time ever. They hardly wanted to rotate and come out of the water at all.
In the afternoon we did interest groups where children could pick where they wanted to go. Most...or all of the older boys were at soccer. Other children played volleyball. Some children helped us make drawings of creation. Many girls got their nails done. Some children made friendship bracelets. And the last group played table and card games.
After supper we had the opening ceremony. Each of the kids gave the name of the wards. Some are very hard to translate, but as far as we can figure we have Rainbow, Dolphin, The Tricksters, and The Weird People (still working on translating that last one better :o) We are the Puzzle people, since our Theme is how do we all fit in. The kids did 2 skits. One was a salvation skit we were considering doing. So we found that some of our kids understand and/or have been told of the salvation story before.
Opening Ceremony is followed by craft time, in which we took a little bit of God's creation (a pine cone) and used pipe cleaners, pom poms, Google eyes, and feathers to create there own creation. These kids are very creative.
Here is the Best news of the day...Are you sitting down? You may want to put on a sweater because it gave me the chills. Jason's Went to bedtime stories to talk to the boys about what goals they have. Many said to go to heaven and God started Tugging on his heart. There is no reason to wait till the end of camp to ask kids if they want to give their lives to Christ. So he listened and gave them the option to pray with him to give there lives to Christ. ALL 10 gave their lives to Christ! God continues to amaze me. Please continue to pray that God works in the hearts of all kids at camp!
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Day 1 of Camp!
Today is the first day of camp. Which means that the kids arrive today in the morning and we started full programing in the afternoon. In the morning we decorated the camp with balloons, everywhere. We just hung out with the kids in the morning, played volleyball, did balloon animals, played Frisbee and hopscotch and for square and basketball.
We have a large group of Ukrainian Speaking children, but they are being patient and listening to the Russian. They are great kids listening and following directions. We have a small group of children like to fight a little. Pray that we can help them learn there are other ways. We saw many unsure faces in the morning, but as the day went on more and more smiles.
In the afternoon we did different game stations to get to know the students names better. They had a lot of fun. Jason came up to me after the stations, and told me how excited he was that he was really starting to click with the Boys from ward one already (our oldest boys).
After dinner we had the kids look for the entire team who hid. The kids ran for 30 minutes straight in teams of 4 looking for the members. Leah hid so hard that no one found her until she moved. Only one girl in the whole group didn't want to play. But after a small talk she joined the game with an interpreter as her team. Even though they started last. They came in First Place. This little girl was esthetic. It brought me such joy to see her so happy.
During this game our lost luggage came...But not really. Did I mention that Darren had to check his carry on in Frankfurt and they lost it! Of course we put all the things that we didn't want to loose in it. They called and said it would be in tomorrow before lunch. So we were excited when it arrived today. But It wasn't ours! So we still wait.
For crafts we did name tags and books about the kids. Some groups then use these books about them to learn about the kids in our wards and tell them about ourselves.
Tomorrow we will go to the sea. Which will be wonderful as it is very hot and humid. I don't have a thermometer, but I would guess it is in the 90's. Please pray as the heat makes us even more tired throughout the already long day.
Also tomorrow we start Bible lessons, so pray that God is working in the hearts of all the kids to learn and accept him.
We have a large group of Ukrainian Speaking children, but they are being patient and listening to the Russian. They are great kids listening and following directions. We have a small group of children like to fight a little. Pray that we can help them learn there are other ways. We saw many unsure faces in the morning, but as the day went on more and more smiles.
In the afternoon we did different game stations to get to know the students names better. They had a lot of fun. Jason came up to me after the stations, and told me how excited he was that he was really starting to click with the Boys from ward one already (our oldest boys).
After dinner we had the kids look for the entire team who hid. The kids ran for 30 minutes straight in teams of 4 looking for the members. Leah hid so hard that no one found her until she moved. Only one girl in the whole group didn't want to play. But after a small talk she joined the game with an interpreter as her team. Even though they started last. They came in First Place. This little girl was esthetic. It brought me such joy to see her so happy.
During this game our lost luggage came...But not really. Did I mention that Darren had to check his carry on in Frankfurt and they lost it! Of course we put all the things that we didn't want to loose in it. They called and said it would be in tomorrow before lunch. So we were excited when it arrived today. But It wasn't ours! So we still wait.
For crafts we did name tags and books about the kids. Some groups then use these books about them to learn about the kids in our wards and tell them about ourselves.
Tomorrow we will go to the sea. Which will be wonderful as it is very hot and humid. I don't have a thermometer, but I would guess it is in the 90's. Please pray as the heat makes us even more tired throughout the already long day.
Also tomorrow we start Bible lessons, so pray that God is working in the hearts of all the kids to learn and accept him.
We Are Here!
After 36 hours of traveling, with little and often interrupted sleep, we are here at Hope Center. Arriving at 2:30 am we crashed in any beds available. Today was a day to acclimate to the new time and get some rest. We also practiced some of our skits, moved into the rooms we will be staying in for the rest of camp. Most team members had some time to run to the market, exchange money, and get some ice cream. Tonight we had a meeting with all the workers and volunteers at camp.
Our team of 6 from Riverside, is joined by 2 from Texas Steve and his daughter Melody, and from Colorado a family of 5 Steve, Nicole, Ethan, Dylan and Aubrey. In addition we have 6 interns, From Minnesota Christine and Judith, from Virginia Sarah, And from England Hannah, Emily, and Babs.
The first group of kids comes tonight just after midnight. Tomorrow we officially start camp with most of the kids arriving between 10 am and 3pm.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Here we go again!
God has blessed me in so many ways! 1) I get to return to Ukraine, my home away from home, and serve God with people that I consider Family. For a moment I thought that this would not be the case.
2) I have the privilege of leading this wonderful team for Camp 2 at Hope Center. In the Picture above from left to right we have Jason & Leah Anderson, Darren & Naomi Lieser, Morgan Jackson, and Mattie Theis (At camp we will be join by Steve and Melody Thomas of Texas)
3) I get to bring my husband with! For those of you who don't know. He proposed to me in the airport upon my return from Ukraine last year. and now I get to show him first hand what has been such a huge part of my life these past 7 years.
4) God has graciously and faithfully met all our financial needs. We have been working through fundraisers and support letters to raise the nearly $15,000 for the team to go. We felt as if we were reaching the end of our resources. As of Sunday Morning just 6 days before we leave we had still $3000 left to go. We did a final fundraiser and God work through the lives of many to help meet ALL these needs within 24 hours. Nothing is too big for our God!
Trip Details:
We leave on Saturday, July 16th and Return on Friday July 29th. Travel Both ways is 1 hour ride to the airport, 4 flights (Minneapolis to Chicago to Frankfurt to Kiev to Simferopol) and a 4 hour van ride to Hope Center. Doesn't sound too bad, until I mention with layovers it is about 34 hours of travel, could be longer but not shorter :o) Which leads us to our first prayer request. Please pray for safety in all travel and that we make all connections smoothly.
Our schedule looks like this:
July 16-17 Travel to Hope Center (Arrive about 1 am on the 18th)
18th Sleep, adjust to the 8 hour time difference and prepare for camp
19th the Kids Arrive!
20th Day 2 of camp, but first Full Day and First Bible Lesson
Day's Highlight: Opening Ceremony
21st Day 3 of camp
Day's Highlight: Bible Ceremony - Every Child is gifted a Bible
22nd Day 4 of Camp
Day's Highlight: Morning Bible Lesson Skit: I'm Choosen! "King of Hearts"
23rd Day 5 of Camp
Day's Highlight: Biffer - This kids love this game ask me about it some time
24th Day 6 of Camp
Day's Highlight: Salvation Message
25th Day 7 of Camp
Day's Highlight: Movie Night (And the team's possible sightseeing excursion)
26th Day 8 of Camp
Day's Highlight: Closing Ceremony, Bonfire, & Slide Show
27th Kids go home and we help Clean Camp
28th-29th We travel Home (Similar schedule as before only backwards - Total travel time about 40-42 hours)
Each day we start at 7 am and go till about 10:15 pm with about 1 to 1/2 hours of rest some where in the middle. Which Brings me to our next prayer request. Please pray for spiritual, physical, and emotional strength and endurance through the entire camp, and trip. This is an action packed week plus, with little down time.
Other Prayer Requests:
Please pray for the children. They all come from backgrounds that we wouldn't wish on any child. Almost all from poverty at some point or all times of their lives. Many from neglect (some cases to the extremes you couldn't imagine) and abuse of all kinds. Many from single mothers, and many from alcoholic parents. Some without parents at all. Some from state orphanages others from smaller orphanages, some from extremely disadvantaged homes. All of these things help the children to put up walls in their lives from letting any one else in who could hurt me. Please That God would soften their hearts quickly to learn of and accept His amazing Love and Grace. So they can take with them the Hope of Christ.
Also Pray for the Ukrainian Volunteers, Interpreters, and staff. Some are not from church family's and although they come to serve the children of Ukraine they have not yet devoted their lives to our God and Savior. Pray we bring Gods message of Love and Salvation to them as well in everything we do. Also Pray for that the translations are accurate in words and message. Some times our sayings hold a different meaning than the direct words themselves, pray that the meaning is related not just the words. This is also tricky if the interpreters are not Christians, as we use a vocabulary that they may be very unfamiliar with. Pray God gives them the words, and us the words to explain things in a new way if needed.
Please pray for unity. Pray for unity within the team and also between the team and the Ukrainian staff. Pray that culture differences bring excitement and joy instead of division.
Thank you for your Prayers, they are the backbone of any mission trip. Without them we struggle. Oh how God loves to hear the prayers of many! And He is so faithful to answer!
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