Today was another good day here in Poland.  The weather started out great and morning lessons and bible stories went smoothly like normal.  Towards the end of the afternoon, however, it started to rain causing sports to be moved inside for the rest of the afternoon.  The kids made the best of it though and enjoyed playing mafia in the attic.  For the evening activities the kids were given a few different activities to decide from.  Some kids sat and played cards and board games.  Others sat and made bracelets. The two highlights of the evening were the fingernail painting table and the watching of the movies the kids made over the past few days.  At the finger nail painting session some of the girls even let my Dad, Ken, paint their finger nails.  The most surprising thing was some of the boy campers even wanted to get their fingers painted too so they didn't feel left out.  The movies have been a huge hit with the kids.  They are really enjoying writing their own scripts, so much that they have even been using free time to write some of them.  Todays movies featured David and Goliath and the other one featured Jesus (who looked like Ghandi in his costume) healing sick people. 
        Each day the kids are growing  more and more outgoing with us Americans.  They are teaching us Polish and asking us how to say things in English.  Bonds and friendships are being formed everywhere you look.  And let me tell you that it is truly great witnessing that each and everyday.  Please continue to pray for all of us as we witness God and teach English to the Polish kids. 

Written by Josh

We had another busy day today. Though rain kept us inside most of the day, we still managed to have lots of fun! The kids enjoyed making and racing origami frogs as part of our Chinese American day. For our evening activity, the American team donned fake mustaches, eliciting laughs from campers and counselors alike! The campers participated in indoor Olympics for our evening activity which included everything from a beanbag toss to limbo and a spoon relay.

We appreciate all the support and prayers from you all! God's blessings to you from all of us here!

Written by Katie

Wednesday, July 22nd

The heat was on today.   This made it a WATER DAY!   My favorite day, but all I got to do was fill the water balloons.   I had to help with crafts.   The kids enjoyed it a lot.   Josh got a nice cold bucket of water from his sister from the balcony.

We did 10 loads of washing today.   with all the water day clothes, there was quite a lot.  

We learned about the Europeans coming to America.   I am enjoying teaching the advanced group this year.   I even gave a small history lesson today.

Written by Lisa

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Today was the first full day we had with the campers, as well as the first day running through the entire camp schedule... surprisingly smooth!!! We started the day feeling adventurous. We chose a new route for our walk, which turned out to be a BLACK level slope, but we survived without incident!  We were not so lucky this evening, however, when James, Lisa, and Barb collided in a slide-tackle rugby-style pile-up during our group game of "Oh Captain, My Captain." Bruises and grass stains ensued.  As we shared highs and lows tonight during our devotion, it became apparent that we have all begun to make new friends and, for some, reunite with old ones.  The kids started paper mache pinatas & made dream catchers during craft time, learned about Native Americans & idioms in English group, and enjoyed soccer on the not-so-grassy knoll during sports time. 4-square continues to be the ever-popular game of choice for the campers during leisure time-  they're ruthless!  Katie and Matthew put together a video of the 10 plagues today that had the kids grinning from ear to ear as they went off to bed.  Praise God for no major injuries (although there's no shortage of aches and pains!) and a fantastic day 1 of camp! The heat is on for tomorrow!

 

Posted by... Mindy

Monday, July 20th

What an awesome first day! I loved seeing how much the returning campers have grown in the past year, and I'm excited to get to know the new ones. This was the first year I got to experience the evaluation as the polish counselors asked me the same questions that the ask the campers, only on polish instead of English. Surprisingly I scored some points, and I was able to write a full paragraph in Polish. I also loved spending almost the entire day with Emilia, it is so great seeing her grow into a bright young girl. Se even know her colors, and numbers in English. A great start to camp this year and I can't wait for the days ahead.

July 19, 2015 "It's all getting really real"

A beautiful cooling thunderstorm.  Warm spaces and high altitude. Finding out the truth about the morning walk (3.3 miles at an obscene incline! :)  New foods, new language, new people.  A church service in Polish with the help of our Polish counselor colleagues.  A chance to go in and see an ancient Lutheran church circa 1838 in the town of Wisla.   Hard core card playing.  A whole lot of jet lag...and plenty of unexpected surprises. 

Today is our last before the campers arrive, and our world changes yet again, and so yes, it's getting real here in Jawornik, Poland.  We have felt the prayers of many who have brought us this far and also the hand of God in a very real way.  How amazing that during a church service in another language you can feel the rhythm of a familiar liturgy...or the Lord's Prayer...or a song from the traditional Lutheran baptismal service  recalled from my youth.  Why is it that in this completely unfamiliar place I can see some beautiful hand-tatted lacework and be moved to tears at a memory of my grandmother?  God is present as he shows his power, the beauty of his creation, and moves us to

   support each other when the situation is challenging. 

Pastor preached today about the Feeding of the 5,000 and how we are called to care for and give to others in His name.  We will add caring for the campers and their needs tomorrow, and by His grace, we will all be taken care of as well.  No matter how real it gets.

Feeling His presence,
Barb Leymaster

We Are Here!

Praise the Lord!  We had a wonderful travel experience with Delta and KLM.  This was the smoothest trip over.  I was really happy as I made the reservations for the group.  We have all settled into our home for the next two weeks.  Some of us have taken showers and are in bed already, others are talking to family at home, and others are playing our favorite card game,  Prawlo Dzungli.  

Tomorrow we will begin our day with church.