Well the kids have all arrived now and we have started the full program. The general format is:
7:00 – devotionals for international team
7:45 – morning exercises
8:15 – breakfast
9:00 – bible talk
10:00- go to the sea
12:30 – lunch
4:00 – planned activity (special ceremonies or games)
6:00 – dinner
7:00 – planned activity
7:30/8 – craft
9:00 – bedtime (though this is staggered for the different ages)
So we have had a full round of everything. Yesterday afternoon we had stations- where there are four games and the kids rotate round each one in turn. After a dinner of rice and lamb we introduced the team to everyone and got everyone to make name tags for themselves. Then after a bit of free time it was time to start bible stories. Within the camp there are four wards (or dorms) 4 is the youngest and 1 is the oldest. Each ward is split into boys and girls for bed times and there are a number of the international team assigned to each ward group. So with the aid of translators we went round and just found out a bit about them before praying with them and saying good night.
Sunday morning came for too quickly for some of the team who had to drag themselves out of bed. Soon enough though both boys and girls were doing laps of the camp as the morning exercise leaders put them through their paces. Breakfast was little pancake type things covered with condensed milk accompanied by mini savaloy sausages. I know that sounds bizarre, but it was good enough that I was looking for seconds, lol.
After breakfast was the first in our series of bible talks. This year’s theme is “How do I fit in?” and the first talk was “I am created”. The basic message we were hopping to get across was that each one of us is made on purpose, we are not an accident, God planned for us to be here. So David and I (who were leading today) told the creation story, getting the children to act out bits of it. And explaining how God was working up to humans and that he planned carefully and was so pleased with the result. Despite forgetting things like God creating animals, I think it went well. The kids were happy to join in, volunteer information and their services as props and for a first one- very good. Through the rest of the series we will be working through “I’m unique/chosen/forgiven/united/telling” and a couple more I can’t remember right now.
After the bible talk was the beach. The camp owns a bit of the beach and they have a metal… well it’s a sheet of metal on poles, but it gives us some shade. There is also a swimming area marked out in floats which the kids take turns at playing in. The international team were split between the water and the sea, playing card games, Frisbee, volleyball, catch and of course general splashing fun. Exhausted but happy we all traipsed back up… dun dun dun… the hill of death!!!! Actually the hill has been dramatically improved over the last year by the addition of some concrete blocks set into the hill as steps, but even so the hill is very steep and in the boiling sun can be quite a trek.
A quick shower preceded lunch which was followed by the daily team meeting. Then nap time and the opening times of the hope centre barbers. So far two of the international team and one of the translators have been attacked with the shears. Goodness only knows what the figure will be by the end!
Prayer points
Please be praying that the talks will continue to go well, that the team will be relaxed and they remember things like pausing for the translators. Most importantly though we want you to pray that the kids will respond. This is a bible camp and we are here to share the gospel. Please pray that God would really be able to work through us and that we will keep listening to him and that his agenda will be met- not ours.
Also for continued strength and energy as well as good sleeps for everyone.
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