I know it has been forever...but I have been at KECY camp and have been totally busy. Let me start by saying that camp was amazing. Before our arrival at the camp, our American church, Shanden, from SC, came to Zilina for a little training and "get to know you time" in Zilina.
All of us along with our Slovak team from Bratislava arrived on Friday evening. The students arrived on Saturday and we had a relaxing evening of music, games, and down time. Our first full day of camp was on Sunday.
The leaders day started at 6:30. When I heard that I almost passed out, but....the Lord was my strength and energy. He also provided coffee!! During this time, we discussed the previous day and shared stories. We then split up and had some prayer time. Although I dreaded getting up every morning this was a great way to start the day.
Every year there is a "camp dance" which we did multiple times a day, and before breakfast we did the camp dance. Breakfast was great. I am not usually a breakfast person, but I needed my strength for the long day, so I was totally grateful for it. After breakfast we had english class which was followed by a time called "Bible initiatives". This was a super great thing. In the classroom was a member of the Shanden church, an intern and two Slovak leaders who really came into their leadership durning the initiatives. Each day was a different theme with a different activity and follow up questions.
I won't go into every day, but I will tell you that on the first day we had to jump over a rope without touching the rope and I fell right on my butt. In my defense, I was jumping on a slope and the ground was a little damp. They were nervous to laugh but when I started they were dying laughing. Anyways...this time sparked really great conversation. Most of this took place in Slovak, but it was totally cool and really effective.
After english time, we had lunch followed by free time and sports/crafts and then group games. After the games we had dinner and the evening program. I was totally blessed to take part in the camp band. I got to play with some amazingly talented guys and I had a blast. There was a speaker every night and an e-nite (environment night) with themes. We had a coffee house, a beach/Hawaiin night. It gave us a chance to hang out with the kids, have great conversation and just chill.
That is the basic synoposis of a day at camp. On Wednesday we went on a hike. A 7 mile hike. A 7 mile hike with my cheap thin Target shoes. It was really fun but I felt EVERY rock as it went into my foot. I wasn't sore the next day, but my feet were dying.
The week went by much too quickly and I totally didn't want to say goodbye. The students and Americans took the bus and the train together which was sooooo cute. We got off in Zilina and the kids went on to Bratislava, but we stood in the train station platform and waved goodbye to them all. I was emotional but I had the comfort of knowing I will see them again for follow up. That is such a huge blessing. We have activities planned in Lucenec and Bratislava to coordinate with our two camps.
Well...I will run for now. I can't believe the summer is winding down. I am not ready for it to be over. I will keep you updated until I return. Please keep me in your prayers. The Lord is moving in great ways. Saying I am blessed is a total understatement. I love you all!!
Okay...sorry it has taken me so long to post something new!! I haven't had access to Amy's fabulous apple laptop which holds all of the pictures that I need to use. As most of you know, my camera had a mishap at the very beginning of my trip, so I have been relying on the pictures of others which limits where I can write my blog. Okay, enough about that.
Camp promotions are over in Lucenec and Bratislava, and we are back in Zillina for little bits of rest and training and getting to know the American church teams that are coming over for camps. We drove here late last night from Bratislava after attending a coffee/tea house put on by one of the churches in Bratislava. It was a really fun time. We played games, drank coffee (of course) and got to know our Slovak team a bit better. God even moved in that little bit of time by sending some people there that He wanted there. We were able to minister and be ministered to.
Bratislava was awesome!!! The girls stayed with the Holloway family which was GREAT!! They totally took care of us by getting up early every morning and preparing deliciously strong coffee and chauffeuring us where we needed to be and providing huge amounts of Nutella. Nutella is important to me whether it is here or in the States!!
I was also able to see the Kriska family. I met them my first year in Lucenec, and they now live in Bratislava. I can't wait to spend more time with them at camp.
We are taking a day trip to Poland on Monday. That should be great. Well....guys....I need to run. I really miss you all and can't wait to see you, but I am SOOO happy here. I cannot begin to describe to you how much God is blessing me here.
My team rocks and it feels like I've known them forever. Oh...we had two more additions to our team this week. Two guys from Texas who totally fit right in. Sam and Jarrot; I don't have a pic of them yet...but when I do, I will post it.
I love you all!!!
This is Laura and me being silly at Picollo restaurant. It has been a beautiful day here in Zilina. We had a free day, and it has been quite relaxing. All the shops here close around noon...so in order to SHOP...we couldn't ridiculously sleep in. Laura, Sarah O. and I visited some really cute shops and goofed off. We had lunch at this great place where I had a grand total of 4 espressos. OH YEAH!! We're all having dinner together tonight at Paige and Stani's flat. Paige works for JV and Stani is her fabulous Slovak roomate who helps everyone out immensly in all kinds of ways.
I am really getting excited about getting to Lucenec and Bratislava for camp promotions and meeting up with the Slovak national leaders. The Lord is awesome and I know he has BIG things in store. I have been soaking up so much of Him while here. He is revealing things to me some good...some bad. There has been alot of talk here about sacraficing our Isaacs; letting go of the things that could be holding us back from going "all the way" with God. That is a hard prayer to put forth because the revelations can be not so good. All that said God has been blessing me sooooo much. I feel his presence!
Well...I'm gonna run now. I ask that you continue your prayers. They are being answered!! I love you all!!
Hey guys!!! This blog thing is totally new for me...but here I am safe and sound and having a blast in Slovkia. This is the American Josiah Venture intern team.
We just left the gorgeous hotel in Malenovice, Czech Republic where we spent a week training and having amazing time in the Word and with each other.
We are in Zilina, Slovakia now doing some more training for camps and learning a small bit of Slovak. You should hear me...well...maybe not!! I am going to run now, but I will write more later! I appeciate your prayers and ask that you contine to pray. God has big plans for the summer, and I am so anticipating it all. Love you!!
I know it has been forever...but I have been at KECY camp and have been totally busy. Let me start by saying that camp was amazing. Before our arrival at the camp, our American church, Shanden, from SC, came to Zilina for a little training and "get to know you time" in Zilina. 
All of us along with our Slovak team from Bratislava arrived on Friday evening. The students arrived on Saturday and we had a relaxing evening of music, games, and down time. Our first full day of camp was on Sunday. 
