Saku Saku Saku Camp

Somehow time has absolutely flown by, and now not only is our second camp over, but we leave for training for our third and final camp tomorrow morning. Oh goodness, where to even start. Rewind two weeks, and our american team arriving. I was actually quite excited for this team, they were coming from NPCC, which is a church I hold very dear to my heart. My first three trips to Estonia were through their youth group, and each time I came to Estonia  I was challenged in ways that I never had been before, and really walked away having discovered something new about myself. so this time I was incredibly excited to be on the other end, to be the people responsible for the camp, and to know that many of these high school students will likely go home with their lives changed. Saku camp was much smaller than our first camp, the whole size including interns, students, local church and americans was 24, this cute little number made for a very homey and family feeling at camp. I really loved seeing how welcoming and loving everyone was, to see the life changing friendships that were formed, and one of my very favorite moments of the camp was when I was talking with one girl from the american team, and as she was praying she was saying that she came here to show other people love, and in return has never felt so loved in her entire life. And I think she hit the nail right on the head. English camp is a life changing experience, where nothing is forced, or fake, but people take genuine interest in the lives and hearts of other people, where those who are not considered "normal"  can come, and are loved on, welcomed, and invited to be a part of things they normally would never be invited to; where no one is judged due to looks, achievments, or beliefs, and a place where competitveness is put aside so everyone (even us sucky ones who just yell at the ball) are invited to play volleyball.  And through English Camps you really get a glimpse of the heart of Jesus, you can see what Christianity is supposed to be. Its the truth that the message of Jesus is one of love, to love your neighbor as yourself, and every last person deserves that. Jesus is love, we have been showed love, and therefor we love others. Right now I feel so blessed to be a part of this experience, to see the lives of Estonian students be changed, to see the kids that at the beginning of the week were shy and sitting in their rooms to at the end of the week have such huge smiles, and full hearts. AHHHH! as per usual, I`m slightly overwhelmed.

If you have been keeping my group in your prayers I ask that this week you still pray for good health and safe travels. Also for open hearts and transparent living. 

Camp has come and gone

Wow, I can't believe our first camp is already over. It feels like I was waiting my entire summer for this camp to come and now in a blink of an eye it is already over. Maybe it went by so quickly because it was such an amazing, exciting, and challenging week. It took a day or two to get in the swing of things, it's a different experience to be in charge of all of the planning of camp and also be behind the scenes, planning environments, setting up, and trying to make sure that everything runs smoothly. This camp was for the church in Kunda, and this is also my third camp with some of these people. The first time I met them was back in 2008 and it was so incredibly exciting to see how everyone had grown up, and how basically all of the students were now small group leaders, and running many different aspects of the camp. I can't begin to explain how awesome it was to catch up with many of these old friends and see all the life change that has occurred, and just to talk, and laugh with all of them. There is nothing more exciting than to be in a place you love, doing what you feel like you are good at, and being part of positive life change. It was also so exciting to see how my story was used, how God used the experiences in my life to speak directly to the hearts of some of the friends/students that I hold dearly to my heart. Wow, what a blessing to be used in that way. The whole week was so amazing, to be able to sit and watch the heart of our Father working in the hearts of youth, and filling everyone with such Joy, to see friendships form with people from all walks of life, different ages, and from different countries. All in all our first camp was a great success, it was such a bittersweet goodbye when the time came for us to leave, and after a few very needed nights of good sleep, a short 2 day vacation to the beach I am ready for what our next camp has to bring. Our next American team comes from Northpoint on Friday, we do training on Saturday and then all of our students come on Sunday. AND I CAN'T WAIT.

I ask that you still keep praying for our team, especially because at this camp our camp director Riina won't be there due to work so I am taking over her responsibilities, and now along with being an intern I will be the director. I'm excited for the challenge, and pray that I can take on the responsibilities, and be a successful leader. pray for open minded students, for safe travels for our American team, and a healthy blessed week of camp.

love all of you,
if you want to hear more of camp email or facebook me!
love,

Megan