This grace was given…

To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ…

Although my life is very different from the apostle Paul’s, after our first English camp of the summer I resonate greatly with this statement in his letter to the Ephesians. From the very beginning of camp, it was obvious that God was stirring in the hearts of Polish students, and working in and through us as we served.

Each day we had English lessons,music workshops, sports, and an evening program. In the evening we decided to  swap “Pharaoh, Pharaoh” for more intimate worship. This felt uncomfortable for us at first, because camps are usually not so overtly “Christian”. However, the choice of music proved to be one of God’s greatest tools at camps. Students who had only experienced cultural Catholicsm were suddenly feeling something different, something wonderful, “in the atmosphere.”

As our intern team, an American team from Wisconsin, and the Polish youth group poured into the campers throughout the week, it was not uncommon to hear, “these people are so great” or “I’ve never met people like this before.”

I (Kelly) had the privilege of meeting a lovely girl named Patricia. Patricia came to camp after we promoted it in her English class at school. On the second day of camp I was shocked to hear her say that she thought this would be the best vacation of her life. After that, I knew God had her at camp for a reason. Then on the third day, Patricia told me she thought the camp would change her life. Wow! God used our everyday conversation to turn toward Him, and I was able to share the gospel with her, as well as how I have seen God at work in my own life.

Throughout the week as we played, sang (Patricia was a star student in the choir), and basked in the sun on the Baltic Sea together, this beautiful daughter of God came to understand Him more and more. By the end of the week, she decided to put her faith in God! It was so amazing to be a part of something so far beyond myself.

Patricia and Kelly

Chris also had the opportunity to connect with Basia and Isabella, two students in his guitar workshop. As he saw their excitement for learning guitar and simply enjoying English camp, Chris began to pray that God would move in their hearts. Although they had never been exposed to much of the teaching, music, and discussion which took place at camp, they both showed interest in learning more. Basia knew that she needed something more, and realizing her need for a Savior, she trusted in Christ as well!

Basia, Chris, Isabella

We are overjoyed at how God worked at this camp. The Polish church we worked with had been doing camps every year for the past four years, and never had they experienced such a fruitful time. It’s amazing that God allowed us to be a part of it all! In addition to the new work in the hearts of Poles, our team grew in great ways as well. God used some uncomfortable conflict to bring us all together as a team, and shape Chris and I as leaders.  After camp, each of us was able to share how God worked through us, and how God worked in us.

It’s so clear that God has us here for a reason. Thank you to all who helped to get us here, and

are praying for us.

It seems as though I could continue writing for volumes about this first camp, but I will leave it at these few highlights for now. Tomorrow we meet our next American team, and Thursday we head to Nowy Tomysl for our next English camp.

Please pray fervently for these few things. God inclines His ear to those who call upon Him!

-Protection and growth over those who placed their faith in Christ at camp, specifically Patricia and Basia.

-Continued growth in and amongst our team. We love them.

-Wisdom for Chris and I as we learn how to lead the team as a whole, and for each individual

-The same amount of fruit, if not more, at this second English camp.

-The fulfillment of our needed financial support. We are still lacking $2461. If you or perhaps someone you know would like to be a part of God’s exciting movement here, there is info. on the right sidebar about giving online or by check. We genuinely appreciate the financial support which allows us to be here.

As Chris and I prepared to come to Poland, we told you that we would, “look forward to bringing you stories of lives transformed by the gospel.” Well, this is just the beginning!

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