Germany 2

My two other updates from Germany- pics to come soon (once I get over jet lag!).


We are about to begin Day Three of class. Right now, the teens are having quiet time with their counselors. What an amazing time the counselors are having with the campers- digging in the Word and hitting real heart issues. These devotional times have been rich in discussion and truth.It reminds me that these teens are no different from me or you. They experience the same hurts and struggles that we do- and God's Word is sufficient to meet their needs.In journals, I've been able to talk quite a bit about finding our identity in the Lord and not in what others say or think about us.What a treasure it is to communicate unchanging truth! Yesterday, we took the campers to Black Forest International Church. We enjoyed worshipping together- the message was about "Why I'm not an Atheist"- and hit home many important truths for these teens that struggle in a culture that says God does not exist.After a relaxing afternoon watching "The Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe" and a hearty game of soccer- we worshipped together.I was overwhelmed hearing the campers singing songs honoring our Lord- and realizing that whether in German or English, we worshipthe same Lord. Our messages each evening have been on Living Dangerously- and they have been challenging both to campers and staff that we are involved in a battle. Most of the teens, if they have trusted Christ, make up a very small minority in their villages and schools.This week truly becomes their "spark plug" for the year! Today, we are celebrating Christmas! We listened to The Night Before Christmas last evening, sang carols this morning and passed out stockings w/treats this morning. It is just another way for us to share American culture and communicate love to our teens. Please continue to pray for us here- God is at work and we are excited! As teachers, we have been asked to put together a special lesson for Wednesday, and need an extra doseof creativity to make Lewis and Clark interesting to German Teens. We also have one girl who has demonstrated some special issues- and as a staff we are not sure how to meet her needs.Pray for wisdom and understanding- sometimes it is hard enough to come along someone in your own language- it is doubly hardwhen language is a barrier. Pray for wisdom for Tina, our main translator, as she works with this young lady. Thank you for your prayers- they are felt here!

It is hard to believe that our campers leave tomorrow morning. It has been an amazing 9 days with them.We enjoyed "Adventure Day" on Wednesday and a talent show on Thursday night. So many good laughs.English classes today went so well- and I was able to share with them Ephesians 3:14-21. Russ mentioned thispassage earlier in the week, and I've been mulling it over since. It really is my prayer for my classes (and the campers asa whole)- that their roots will go down deep into God's love, that they will know His great power, that they would make a home for Him in their hearts- and truly know how high, deep, wide, long is His love for them. It was awesome to end our class in prayer- hearing them pray in German and thank God for His abundant love for them. After a special dinner (staff serving campers- and doing their evening chores), we had our final meeting. We've been challenged this week to live dangerously for Christ- not safely or recklessly. It was something that I know I needed to hear. We have seen God break throughwalls and soften hearts as well as strengthen and encourage believers. It has been awesome to play a part in each one's spiritualjourney. Tomorrow morning will be difficult for these kiddos- it is amazing how close they get in a short time. Many have no christian friends back home- and othersare going back to difficult situations. This is truly a haven for them. Pray that they keep in touch and attend a special reunion planned in November. After the campers leave, we have quite a bit of cleaning to do (this dorm is massive!)- and then we will head to Freiburg for dinner! We leave Sunday at 5:30 pm (11:30 am EST) from Zurich and will arrive at 7:30pm in Boston.Pray for safe travel and that we finish well!