Camp has officially finished! But the work God is doing has not. God is the same God both at camp and when we all return to our lives. This is one thing that we really wanted to stress to the students - encouraging them to continue searching for the Lord once camp is over. "Take God home with you!"

On the night of the labyrinth God worked mightily. We were overwhelmed by how God was obviously touching the hearts of these students. We felt again like a wave rushed over the camp, leaving no student unaffected. Thank you for your prayers! Keep praying that leaders would rise up from among these kids that would change this country for Christ.

I was able to give the final talk on Thursday evening, dealing with the topic of "the perfect world." I got to share some stories of my family's sicknesses over the years as an example of how broken and hurting this world is, and how much it needs redemption. I explained God's plan of redemption for the entire earth, and how Jesus is preparing a specific place for those who believe in Him. A very important part of what I was trying to communicate was how God is redeeming us here on Earth to be His people and His church in preview of the New Earth. 

The week ended as usual with many tears and many hugs. It is kind of sad to have camps behind us! But it is so satisfying to look back and see how the Lord used them.

But as I said - things don't end once camp is done! We were so blessed to have 17 students from the two camps come to youth group on Saturday. We hope to continue leading these while us interns are here, and hope to create good models so that things can continue once we are gone. Excited to see what the Lord has for us in these last two weeks!

A couple more days into camp, and I have been having a blast. I feel an extra portion of grace from the Lord this week! I have had so much strength and so much joy and feel like I've been able to engage with the students in a good way. 

Discussions have been also going very well. Last night's story was of David and Bathsheba - a very powerful story indeed! It really made the students think and reflect on their own lives in light of God's grace in that story. 

We have another two days here - it has gone by very fast! The evening talks have been really culminating up to tonight, where Nathan will share the story of the woman at the well, Jesus' offer of living water, and present the Gospel. Then all the students will get to participate in a "labyrinth" to reflect on their own lives, how they are connected to others, what they need to forgive and be forgiven for etc. They will reflect on the Romans road Scripture, and then have their hands symbolically washed and oiled to signify what Christ did on the cross. It is a very powerful night, and we are praying that God would do mighty things.

Would you join us in prayer for tonight, as well as the rest of camp, and follow-up after camp? Pray for an outpouring of the Spirit and a clear presentation of the Gospel that would affect the lives of these dear children of God for the rest of their lives.

What a great last couple of days! It has been so fun to watch the students, a lot of whom are at camp for the first time, to engage - in games, sports, classes, evening program, music, discussion groups.. It's been awesome across the whole map!

I myself have really enjoyed leading evening worship - teaching the students songs full of truth that point to Christ. It's been a pleasure to have several US team members play along with me as well! And it's a great privilege to lead everyone in this way.

Tonight's talk was the story of Joseph told from the perspective of Judah. Jamey did an excellent job drawing in all the listeners, and I think the story struck a lot of chords for the students. I am apart of an evening discussion group, and one thing that came up a lot was how difficult it is to fully forgive someone - especially if that someone is a family member. 

Please pray that the students would continue to open up and be genuine - both in discussion groups and in the one-on-one conversations that happen. We expect the Lord to show Himself and do some pretty incredible things!

I am very excited to tell you that our second English Camp camp has started!!!

We had a couple days off after the team from Arizona left back home, and then we were back up and running full steam. 

The second team from Arizona arrived two days ago, and after a full day of training, we were off to Fuzine again! It has already been a huge privilege serving with this team from Phoenix. The Lord has really brought us together as one team - which is such a blessing. 

What I am working on right now is exactly what you see in the lower picture! I am in charge of registration and have been welcoming students, handling money, and sending them off to their rooms (with the help of Sarah from Phoenix!). It has been lots of fun making these kids feel welcome!

The camp is off to a great start already. But we definitely need your prayers. Pray for a special covering of the Holy Spirit at this camp - that nothing would interfere with Christ being proclaimed. There are also many more first-time campers this time - pray that they would be affected for the rest of their lives by the things they hear, talk about, and experience this week. And pray that they would have fun! :)

I will be updating you more regularly this week - so please check back!

"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion..." Philippians 1:6

As a team we have been studying through the book of Philippians this summer. I have been so incredibly encouraged and challenged by this letter of Paul and by the brothers and sisters I am studying it with. The theme of the book is often defined as "joy." That is what I want to communicate to you about this last week's English Camp!

The entire week was characterized by joy that can only come from the Lord. We were all able to build relationships with the 18 students that came through sports, games, English classes, evening programs, and discussion groups. 

We felt an incredible wave rush over the entire camp, leaving no student unaffected by the Message communicated and by God's love. Although not everyone made a profession of faith, the Lord is drawing every single one of them closer to Himself. 

And, just as stated in the verse at the top, we believe that the work is not done. God will continue to do His will in the lives of these young students. It is a process, and especially in a country as dark as Croatia it is slow work, but we trust that the seeds that were planted this week will cause faith to grow. And we are constantly rejoicing in the Lord for those who did make professions of faith! 

Please pray for the faith of these young believers - both new and who grew up in the church. All of them need discipleship, and able men and women to disciple are scarce. It is our team's goal to invest in the lives of these hungry individuals while we are still here, but we won't be here for much longer. Pray that God would raise up leaders of the church in this needy country!