After our first English Camp went so well, the bar was set high for the second camp. In the beginning of the week, I sensed God wanted to work. As the “armor of God” passage arose throughout the week, we understood our need for protection, so that His word might go forth.
As it was our halfway point through the summer, each of our team members experienced some kind of exhaustion and/or stress. Through that, we saw some conflict, weariness, and how God gave us special energy, strength, and grace to move forward in serving the Poles. For me (Kelly) personally, the week was especially difficult emotionally and spiritually. However, God moved in the hearts of young people despite our weaknesses.
At the beginning of the week, I spent my free time with a couple of girls. As I interacted with them, I sensed they were not interested in speaking with me about the evening talks and what they were learning about God. So, I stepped back a little and just loved them. On the last day of camp, one of those girls wrote to me, “God really loves us ALL! Thank you!” God knew her heart, and what she needed. I did not speak those words to her, and we didn’t have a “spiritual” conversation, but God showed me that He is at work, even when we do not see it.
The rest of our team was used in great ways as well, from spending time with some older campers weary of being with young students, to continuing the work of interns from last year. One camper went to camp last year and connected with an American intern. This year, Kelsey pursued the same girl and had the privilege of sharing Christ’s free gift, and seeing this girl receive it. Because the Lord uses every part of His body, Kelsey got to reap the harvest that had been watered last year.
After hearing the gospel and participating in an experiential “Labryinth” to reflect on the teaching from the week, this is what some students felt:
“The best night of my life”
“I felt free, like a burden was lifted”
“I’m sure I want to be with God. Next year I will sit with your group and we’ll talk about God’s work in other lives”
“I understand know that God has a plan for me”
“I know what’s important in life now”
Even with all the effort we put into doing camp well and trying to build relationships, in the end it was obvious that we are simply vessels to be filled and used by God. During our team debriefing, Kornel spoke about such relationships. He worded it perfectly, “I did not have to pursue him. God pursued him.”
As I write this, I’m pulling from my memory these things which seemed to have happened ages ago. It has now been a bit over two weeks since we finished the Nowy Tomysl camp, and we just finished our last English camp. As I continue to find moments to reflect on the past couple weeks, and the present, I will update you all.
Throughout our remaining 4 (really?!!) days, please pray for team unity, peace of heart and mind, and God’s continued pursuit of Polish hearts.
