Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Wednesday, July 30th

Finally, a dry day!  Well, there was no rain but the last day of camp is not a dry day.  The last day of camp is a shower of tears.  The shower of tears begins as a sprinkle and by evening chapel its a down pour of emotions and love.  New friendships spring to life and old friendships are rekindled in only ten days (approximately 140 hours or more) and hearts and lives are forever changed.  The roof was raised this evening as campers and staff made melodies from their hearts to the King of Kings.  And the shower of tears expressed the sadness of goodbye, especially this year, because we bid farewell to Piotrek's (Peter), the camp leader, who will begin a new chapter in his life.

We Americans board the bus tomorrow perhaps never knowing the impact that God has made in the lives of campers and staff alike.  With social media, such as Facebook, Skype, Twitter, Snapchat, etc., there are many opportunities for us to continue these relationships reaching across the miles  with hearts and lives intertwined in Christ's love.

So, to our Polish friends in Christ we bid you a heartfelt tear filled goodbye and blessings.  And a special blessing and goodbye to Piotrek, "We will miss you!"





























Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Tuesday, July 29th

Today was a normal day here at camp.  All of our of work stations and home rooms went smoothly.  For the second straight day the weather played a factor in our plans for afternoon sports.  We were planning to play baseball and just as we started with our first group of kids, it started to rain.  Tomorrow will be our last day of sports so hopefully the weather will be nice enough for us to play.

Tonight we did s'mores and played dodge ball.  All the kids enjoyed it.  Later we went inside and sang songs and watched two movie trailers. This was part of a movie  project each group of kids did for their work station.

Tomorrow will be our last full day here at camp.  Please pray that it will a great one and that everything will turn out just fine.

Until tomorrow....

Shane G. Gilster

Monday, July 28, 2014

Monday, July 28th

We are closing down the camp soon.  My heart is heavy as I prepare myself to leave my second home.  I have come here for the past 5 years and have begun many relationships with the campers, American staff and Polish counselors.  They feel like a second family, we laugh when they laugh, cry when they cry and feel proud when someone learns something new.  We support each other like a family, and learn to accept each other for the good and the bad. 

God has marvelous plans for each and everyone of us!  He love us and supports us.  What a wonderful time we have had.

My favorite time of the day is when we come together in the chapel for singing, worshipping and learning a new Bible verse.  I love the way we raise the roof with our singing and laughing.  God loves to hear our praises.  I will never forget how much I personally grow closer to God every year on this mission trip!  "This is the day You have made, We will rejoice and be glad in it!" 

Thank you Lord for giving us these friendships that will continue to grow in our hearts and minds all this year.  We love to Facebook, Skype and Snapchat with each other.  Thank you for these modern technologies to keep us close. 

Written by Lisa








Sunday, July 27, 2014

Sunday, July 27th

We are masterfully made and cared for by God was our sermon by James and Peter today.  Some people like me needed to hear that sermon.  Sometimes Satan just likes to get his hooks into us to say to us that we are not good, that we are ugly or that we just don't measure up to our expectations of ourselves or that we feel others have put on us.  We have to realize that God loves us, forgives us and accepts us for who we are right now.  He will carry us through the tough time and hold our hand. 

It was a wonderful church service with a blessing of a one year old girl that would stare at me as I waved and played peek a boo with her.  It is a wonderful reminder that God has blessed this family through the first year of this little girls life and that God will continue to bless her always. 

We had a wonderful water day.  It is always one of my favorite ways to play with the kids and the Polish counselors.  I was drenched from head to toe!!  It was very fun to watch the kids get into the water balloons, water soakers and water guns.  As we filled the balloons there was some friendly little squirting and breakage of balloons too. 

Written by Lisa