Day 4 of Camp

Today was a special day at camp.  After the morning Bible Study the kids went to compete in Extreme Rope competitions.  The mission team watched for a while then went to the transition home in Chisinau to do half a days worth of construction. When we came back, we had Chapel service with an Alter call.  It was moving to see kids who did not know Christ before camp dedicate themselves to Christ.  There were many tears of Joy.

I have a few pictures of the day to share:

This was a ropes competition.

This was a competition to see who could stretch the bungee chord the farthest.

This was a zip line race to see who could pull themselves across the water the fastest.

Today we got to worship the Lord with our bodies at the transition home in Chisinau.

Laura and Katie are scraping paint off glass.

Even though there were all sorts of nasties in the mess Dan, Paul, and I loaded in the truck to be hauled away,  we were so joyful for serving the Lord we were still having fun.

New testaments purchased with mission funds  were handed out to the camp kids. They opened them right away to start reading them.

Awesome

Awesome - if I had to choose one word to describe that would be it. I believe it is sometimes easier to open your eyes and see the wonder when in unfamiliar surroundings. Routine sometimes blinds us to the wonder of our world and all God has created. Looking into a child's eyes one can see wonder. Our entire team is amazing - Moldovan, American, and Swiss. Everyone with their own gift. Everyone with their own story. 
Let me tell you a story ... It happened on August 13 at 100 in Chisinau. We were assisting to paint seal the wooden floor in the church. We were like Jesus's disciples when he asked them to Feed the 5000 with 2 fishes and 5 loaves (a story some I had heard at the Globsl Leasership Summit just days before) but we were painting a floor, improvising with the tools we had been given. We struggled, I struggled but tired to be positive and encouraging. We had been given a task, paint the floor. We had tried, and struggled. I did not believe we would have enough paint, believing we might need to have at least 4 more gallons. We ladies took a break for some fresh air and water while 2 of our Teammates, Mark and Paul replaced us in the work. I came back and they had gotten so much done and still had not used all the paint. Mark replied it was just like when Jesus multiplied the fish and loaves - they did nothing different - they just keep pouring the paint and rolling. A miracle - we had more then enough paint. There was enough to paint out into the hallway. And we closed up the can with it still  1/2 full can. It may sound insignificant but not to me! I needed to be reminded. God needed me to see it.
Last evening at chapel was amazing - our Teammates from Switzerland - shared their testimony and there was a call to the alter. So many emotionss. A few children stood out to me - such weights ion their shoulders and trusting in Lord is what is getting them thru their lady to day life. And then a celebration  - I have learned that celebration is needed - the Angels in Heaven were rejoicing - so why not us here on earth. All of us need to celebrate - and especially new life. I am so grateful I was able to witness and participate in this.

Day 3 of Camp

I knew it would happen but I am still amazed at how God uses everyone on the team to glorify his kingdom.  This is a talented and amazing Mission Team doing awesome things.  They are becoming vulnerable so that others may find Jesus.  That takes a special kind of faith in order to sacrifice yourself for others.  The personal reward is becoming closer to God, emotional healing, and a stronger faith.  The bigger reward is in growing the Kingdom!

Here are a few pictures from the day:

A morning Energizer session gets the blood moving.

The camp kids love the morning energizer..

 

This is a camp wide balloon bursting game that our Mission Team organized.

A flash photo mob breaks out.

The Mission Team Leading a song.

The computer workshop being run by Becca.  The laptops were donated by La Z Boy and software installed by NMX Solutions.  These laptops will stay in Moldova to bless the Transition Home kids and also be used for after school programming.

The kids had a costume contest.

This is our dining hall.

One of the camp dormitories. 

This is what happens when you trust someone with your phone password.  Thank you for the selfie Paul!

Traveling to Moldova was. . .different. Airplanes with old-school propellers are still a thing. Who knew.
But we arrived safely. And nothing went according to the plans we thought would be; but it has worked out beautifully. The campers are all so energetic and excited to try every new thing and have absorbed everything offered to them.

The campers are the most resourceful people I have ever seen- games from the simplest tools, competitions made with the most unusual yet brilliant items. The resilience of the kids is overwhelming.



The work that Pastor Oleg and his wife, Marina, and their family and staff have poured into them is evident in every part of the camp.



Thank you to all of the people who have supported this mission with their prayers, finances, and supplies; you all are the reason why we have been able to present the campers with opportunities they may have not had available otherwise and hopefully give them a glimpse of what it can mean to follow Christ.
Thank you. Thank you, thank you.

Day 2 of Camp

God is doing amazing things here at the camp.  The kids are really opening up to us.  They are: Approaching us to ask questions, Greeting us in passing "Hi, how ya doin" (a phrase learned from the ESL Mission Team workshop), intentionally sitting near us, and Asking us to play sports.

Here are a few pictures of the things we are doing at camp:

This is Laura running a Jewelry workshop.  The kids were really good at making the bracelets and many planned on selling what they made.  These type of bracelets are very expensive in Moldova.

Here is Anna Marie and he girls working on bracelets.

This is Dan running a business workshop.  The kids are really engaged and they are learning valuable skills that will certainly give them an advantage in life.

One of the most popular workshops is Personal Care.  This is Vicki working with the girls and make-up.

Beth and Paul run the first aid workshop.  Here the kids are learning how to transport a body using a blanket.

Brianna is having a discussion with the kids in a journaling workshop.

The Mission Team is handing donated vitamins to all the campers.

First Full Day of Camp

The first couple of days have been action packed and the Mission Team is doing great.  There are a lot of activities going on.  I have a few pictures to share:

Starting the day off with an energizer.

The kids enjoyed the First Aid workshop with Beth and Paul!  We have 7 different workshops the Mission Team has organized and is running.  This team has a lot of talent.  God knew exactly who to send!

The camp is having a week long "Olympic" Competition.  Today was an 

extreme sports relay race.  Tonight is the Opening ceremony for the games and I heard it involves fire!

Here is Sophia (daughter) taking Marina (Mother) for a stroll.  Oleg and Marina are our hosts and are doing a great job leading the camp!

Travel Day

The trip to Moldova seemed harder than last year.  The anticipation was high for the entire team. I had a hard time sleeping the night before we left coupled with the length of the trip (about 18 hours). Maybe it's the fact that my back is another year older and the plane seats are so small.  The dual prop plane was fun but loud.

 We had opening Chapel tonight and got to meet the kids.  I recognize many of the faces, but most are new.  I could see the excitement and happiness in the kids faces during the service.    Especially fun was when we lined up mission team members in a tunnel fashion and the kids ran through the middle high fiving and greeting us as they came to the service.