Camp!

Sorry for the long time with no update. We have been kept busy the last month with camps, moving and then now we are currently at the Reach Global Europe Conference in Slovenia. Camps were full of excitement! We started out with training with our staff that came over from the states. Our staff was from Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin. Only two of the 9 that came over knew each other before arriving in Austria but over the weeks they meshed very well together! I was nervous going into it since I was in charge of training for English Lessons and I had never done that before but it went very well. Carrie (our team member) did a great job preparing me for it. The first week with the leaders was good as we alternated between training, team building and a little bit of sightseeing. Many of you were praying as I was going to be one of the drivers of the vans. In the past they had always been stick shift and would cost more for automatic so I spent a day learning. Then when we went to go pick up the vans we discovered that we received automatic vans because that was all they had. It was a big blessing.

It seemed like almost right away camp began and the kids were there. It was hard to be organized for that first week considering I had never been apart of the English Camps here in Austria before. But everything went smoothly. The first week we had 35, 12-14 year olds as well as a SWAT team (a leadership camp where they sleep outside in tents). It was interesting for Seth and I experiencing being on Program staff and not being actual cabin leaders but it was very good for us. We still had a great time getting to know many of the kids. It was also great experiencing things through the Cabin Leaders and being able to pray with, encourage and rejoice with them.

The second week came and we were much more organized and prepared. I was the cook but also was making sure that the program staff responsibilities were being taken care of. It was a lot of fun but it was a little disappointing not being able to be a part of staff meetings and things and not really knowing what was going on in the life of the campers. It was cool though to see how God would provide opportunities for me to talk with some of the cabin leaders when they were frustrated, needed a break or just someone to share with. They always knew I was in the kitchen and it was safe for them to come and talk with me which was a big blessing. Those few weeks just flew by and before we knew it we were back in Innsbruck doing debriefing with the staff and then taking them to the airport. We were blessed and 2 kids made first time decisions for Christ during our weeks a camp and many more rededicated their lives. Please continue to be in prayer for these kids since at this camp (we have two locations) probably half the kids that come are not believers. We had experiences with many kids that wanted nothing to do with God and only came for the English lessons. It was amazing to see God beginning to soften the hearts of many unwilling youth. There was lots of plowing and seed planting that went on in these weeks and many of the youth were really opening up to God by the end however they did not make a decision for Christ before they left. Please be in prayer that God will continue to work in their hearts and they will get involved with churches and youth groups where they live. That our cabin leaders will be able to stay in contact with them and follow up with them and that they will accept Jesus as their savior.

The morning that the staff was flying back to the states, Seth and I with a few other's help were moving into our new apartment. It is bittersweet considering our first apartment was very nice and large since we were renting it from a family of 6 that was gone for 6 months. It was such a blessing and we were able to host many people in our time there. There was a beautiful view of the mountains as well...we were pretty spoiled. Now we will be living in a much smaller place. It is nice and really is all that we need. It is on the 2nd floor which I am really excited to no longer be walking up 5 flights of stairs every time I want to go home. It is also within an apartment building that is full of believers. We are very excited about the fellowship and community that we will experience while living there. However I don't think there will be any quick trips to the grocery store. If you don't run into people walking through the building, you sure will on the way. But then again it's not really possible in Seward, Nebraska either.

We broke in our apartment those couple days that we were home seing how we can make it work having quite a few people over for a meal or games. It was a lot of fun. I also got the pleasure to spend most of the day with one of the youth girls who came over and helped us organize and rearrange the place just how we wanted it. It was a blessing since the people before us left us pretty much all of their furniture so we don't really need to buy much of anything and with the help of Viki rearranging with me, we are pretty well set. I'm excited to get home and be able to enjoy our apartment some more :) However that won't be happening for a little over a week.

After a couple days we made our way on an overnight train to Slovenia for the Reach Global conference. It has been a great time being poured into by many people who have been on the field much longer than we have. We have been blessed and encouraged in so many ways. We are actually right on the beach as well which has been a lot of fun in the time we have to get outside. We only have a few days left of conference and then Seth and I will be on our way to Croatia for a week of vacation. It will be nice to just relax and spend some time together after the crazy time we have had the last month. We are very excited and appreciate any and all prayers for safe travels.