Our summer is well under way. It's an interesting schedule this year with a two week break of English Camps between the first session where we had 6 camps and the second session which will have 3 camps. I think I like having a break between it all!
The theme this year is "Underground--Mind the Gap" where we're encouraging students to evaluate and consider if there is more to this life than what they can see and touch--maybe there is something "above ground" that needs to be considered. I was personally involved in the camp that was for our youth group from katowice which was joined by a team from my home church, Mission Hills. It was an awesome time as we saw our young polish leaders especially move towards their friends by leading discussion groups and initiating great spiritual conversations.
While Jacob and I were there together taking it all in, Dan was traveling about the country visiting 4 of the other camps which were spread out from western Poland to the Baltic Sea. I had the chance to visit the 6th camp also during that week which was not held too far from where our Katowice camp was.
As we've reflected on what we've seen and heard from the Polish and American students who participated, we again believe in camps and see it as a "win-win" experience for both American and Polish groups and for the new young people who have a chance to hear about Christ in a delightful context.
Just today, our assistant Jola received a call from a distinguished catholic lay leader in the country whose son has attended one of our camps over the past few years. He already was at one camp this year but wants to attend another!
We're thankful for the chance to be a part of God's work through English Camps.
SLOT
I had a break after English Camp but Dan and Jacob went straight into another camp which is called the SLOT Art Festival. It's in western Poland and is attended by 7000 young people. Despite the rain and mud, Dan managed to set up a "tent city" for the 18 youth that were there from our area. Many of them had just been at the English Camp as well. This is quite an amazing festival (maybe something like Woodstock...) with many non-believers in attendance. There are workshops on every possible topic and art form and also lectures from different Christian speakers.
When I saw the pictures, I knew that God was about something great there... but I was glad I was home in my dry, comfy bed!
For more pictures, http://picasaweb.google.com/hashlaura/Summer2007
