First day at camp

I think my brain is on overload... just trying to remember the day seems challenging. But I am getting old and my body changes overnight now. ;)

The kids... The kids are so energetic and loving and excitable. It is refreshing to see teenagers so open to adult interaction. We had a wonderful day getting to know them all. I think I might be falling in love with Albania and the sweet people here. 

Today we took off on our regular travels from Pogradec to Korce to meet the kids at the church. The taxi ride has been my time to ponder all of the things swirling in my mind every moment of every day. Taking in all that we have done and seen I couldn't help but think about the way it feels here verses America. It feels free here. Free to live and enjoy life without certain stresses. One of the small ways the Albanians can tell we are Americans is because we walk faster than they do. It is a very different culture here. Something in my heart longs for this. Why do I think they are so free here? Why does it feel that way to me? I thought maybe it's because in our culture we are bound by our ideals, our vanity, or our wealth or all of them. We have a reputation to uphold. We work for things and we buy for status.

Back to the day... we boarded a bus in Korce where there was standing room only by the door steps. It was hot and there were no windows on this bus. It felt like I had to tell myself to breathe the thick air. But and that is a big "but" there was again a joy and excitement in my heart minus how my body felt. Fifteen minutes later we pulled over, everyone got out and we started walking down a dirt road for about 5 minutes. We finally arrived at camp. It is beautiful. It looks just like the youth summer camps Jeff and I have done for so many years. Minus the bathroom situation... the country of Albania has a very poor sewage system and no one is allowed to put toilet paper down the toilet. I will let your imagination do the rest. :)

There was a very similar start to camp... Figure out tents, announcements, taught the moves to the camp song (I wish I could upload videos!), dancing, lots of dancing!, playing cards, volleyball and soccer. We had worship and a short message after dinner. And then we broke up into our small groups that consist of English speaking and non English speaking kids. We do have kids who can translate so that was helpful.

Having spiritual discussions can be a challenge in many ways but when you add in a language barrier it gets even more challenging. We also have had to remember that these kids are spiritually shallow. So our words have to be chosen wisely and how we communicate the truth of the Word is not to be taken lightly. Tonight we had a little discussion about Matthew 20 (laborers in the vineyard). It was great to get to know the kids a little tonight and get a small glimpse into their hearts. 

Jeff will be teaching tomorrow, Wednesday, and Thursday Lord willing. Please pray that there will be a deep understanding of the most basic biblical truths. 

As I write this it is pouring rain at 11:30 pm with thunder and lightening like I've never heard it. We are sleeping in tents and we have had to tape ourselves into the tent to get rid of pincher bugs. 

It is now 4:00 am, everything in our tent is wet and Jeff and I have not slept a wink. We decided to pack our stuff up and run to a little house back at the main part of camp. Here we will stay until everyone gets up. 

There is supposed to be 100% chance of rain until 7:00 am. It is also supposed to rain Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Not sure what will happen next but I know The Lord is here and He will sustain us.