Feels a bit like Fall!

Waking up this morning to cold air made it feel like Fall is just around the corner.  I think it's time to pull the winter clothes bag out of storage!  I thought I would have more time last week to keep the blog updated, however, there was just so little time to do so because I was much busier.  In addition, I was fighting a cold virus that I'm still recovering from.  It was not easy to teach and it was a struggle for me every day.  And yes, I am still struggling with sciatica.  It's slowly healing.

  I should've posted a note for all "prayer warriors" to pray, but sometimes we falter to just struggling through it all on our own.  That was me.  By Sunday, the flood of tears fell after it all came to a head for me.  Thankfully, God provided a good Polish friend at church who lent me her shoulder to cry on, her listening ear, and supportive hugs.  She also spoke words of reason and rationality, for I've been having difficulty with the girls and their obedience.  She's right.  They are trying to make sense of all they are experiencing... and trying to be "campers" was alot for them to take in.  Kaylor started off strong and ended up struggling by the end.  Lauren ended up strong by the end.  The key is a friend they can connect with, so I ask that you would be praying for them to find another friend this week that they would connect with.  They aren't campers this week, and we've given more leniency in how much they participate in.  Additionally, we are all living/sleeping together in a small room.  Quiet/break times are not necessarily providing what we need to refuel.  There is a lot of togetherness and pray that we would find a good balance in making it all work!

My friend, Magda, then took the girls and I to Spala (said Spawa) after church where there's a flea market every Sunday. We walked around and tasted some foods.  We then bought waffles that was covered in whip cream and fresh fruit or other toppings of choice.  It was a lot of fun.  Josh had taken our friend, Ryan who had joined us for the first two weeks, to the airport in Warsaw.  He managed to get there and back... and get gas... all on his own!

This week it's Fishart, which instead of offering English classes, they offer different clubs two times a day.  I'm doing a newspaper club and Josh is doing different American sports.  Other clubs are dance, photography, art, guitar, singing, etc.  It's a more "creative arts" focus for the week.  There are more kids this week compared to last week... 160!

By the way, it simply wouldn't be right to only touch on my cultural adjustments and not mention that out of the 154 campers last week, 110 had stayed to talk about decisions they wanted to make in their lives.  Remember the girls in the girls' cabin last week that I asked you to pray for?  Well, they all made decisions for Christ! I couldn't wait to share that!

 My English class.... yes, they gave me a run for my money.  I was in a loud location, which made it even harder for me to teach because I had no voice!!!

 Instead of English classes, the girls had Polish class.  This was their tutor, Marysia, who also lives in the same city we'll be living!  They had a great time and are practicing the Polish they are learning!

 This was the the girls' assistant counselor, Ala, who slept in the same room as Lauren.

 A group of girls Lauren hung around with.  She grew particular close to the girl on her left.

We discovered that Kaylor has a natural gift for rock climbing!  She loves it!

 This picture captures the one time rain actually hindered our activity!  We were just about to begin the "Olympics" and we were all getting to our stations on the court when the clouds let loose.  This shows how we all tried to find any form of shelter!

 Kaylor at the top of the rock wall.

 Lauren on stage for one of the worship songs.... in Polish!

 This is the sanctuary of Tomy Church.  Sometime we'll have to show a picture of their Internet Cafe that is open throughout the day as an outreach to the community.

 Kaylor's date to the banquet... our friend Tomek Penchek.

Lauren chose to go with a group of girls to the banquet.  We love banquet night... pizza!

Language Camp- Day 1

I will NOT let this post be about my ailments... but it's so CLASSiC that I would be starting language camp with a cold virus that is now causing me to lose my voice. yep- so classic!  I don't feel well, but still have to be on my "A" game.  I do thank God that I have HIS unlimited source to tap into, because there's no way I can manage without it!  Pray the cold will lift soon... my sciatica is letting up and I'm feeling so much better with that, so thank you to all who have been praying!  I'm just curious as to how I've been giving the "lot" of all these physical ailments?!!!!

We ended the international basketball camp week with around 31 campers who made decisions about Christ!  Some incredible life-changing things happened, which is great to be a part of.  Over 154 campers (ages 7-13) are here for language camp now.... all arriving today!  We had yesterday to do laundry and get into Tomaszow to get some items.  BUT,  guess who are going to be campers?!! Yep- the girls!  They are in cabin 8 with 4 other Polish girls.  Their English level is from little to alot (more in the medium to little range), which made for some funny moments.  Pray for Lauren... she had a hard time this late afternoon and evening with her decision to be "camper".  She was sad because she didn't have any "friends" (Kaylor is in the same cabin, but she didn't count!) and she was going through the whole language barrier thing.  I wasn't surprised she was having some doubts.  BUT, after our evening meeting and worship time (and my sitting with her with her group), I went with her and Kaylor to the cabin because Lauren was ready to meet the girls.  So, I "broke the ice" and got all the girls laughing at my trying to learn Polish from the girls and just trying to make Lauren comfortable.  It must've worked because when I said I should probably go and get to bed, she said she was fine and gave me a hug goodbye!  This is a big step for me as well, if I'm willing to admit so!  Pray for the girls... K & L and the others.... Ola, Olga, Ania, Suza... may God bless their week together and bless one another!

Heading to bed now! Night!

Wednesday

Drills and skills training... a guy named Patrick from a church in California is leading this portion.  He knows his stuff since he trains athletes for his profession!

I don't know what to even call this... but it looked killer!

 Ok, this is a little bird the girls and their friend Natalia tried to "save" and take care of.  It was the cutest thing and they were WAY serious about it.  They named the bird Kendle.  Sad thing... she somehow was "lost" yesterday.  The roof of their fortress (see below) was left off and they don't know what happened to it. :(  Needless to say, they were heartbroken and we prayed for her safety and return.  We shall see.....

Yes, they camoflouged rocks with moss and leaves and grass.  This was a huge undertaking by the kids and they dug up worms and everything!