“But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’” — Matthew 14:30

Fear can grip us in unexpected ways. When Kim, “TEAM USA’s” teacher, asked the students, “What are you afraid of?” the responses were heartfelt and diverse: heights, snakes, bugs, even the fear of being chased by a mean man. These answers revealed that fear is a universal experience, affecting us all in different forms.

In the Gospel of Matthew, we read about Peter’s encounter with fear. The disciples, amidst a storm on the Sea of Galilee, saw Jesus walking on the water and were terrified, thinking He was a ghost . Peter, seeking confirmation, said, “Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water.” Jesus replied, “Come.” Peter stepped out of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he noticed the wind, fear overtook him, and he began to sink, crying out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately, Jesus reached out His hand and caught him, saying, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”

This story illustrates that fear can cause us to falter, even when we are on the right path. But it also shows that faith in Jesus can help us overcome our fears.

Few of our 72 Albanian students have ever been on a boat, let alone imagined stepping out onto stormy waters at night. Yet, through our skit of Jesus walking on water and inviting Peter to join Him, the students glimpsed a powerful metaphor for facing their own fears with faith.

The second day of camp was filled with high energy and enthusiasm. The students learned new vocabulary words like disciples, boat, strong, fear, and prayer. They engaged in spirited competitions, with Team Argentina maintaining their lead in games like sharks and minnows, interactive worship music, and team-building activities.

Through these experiences, the students learned that while fear is natural, faith in Jesus provides the strength to overcome it. Just as Peter was saved when he called out to Jesus, we all can find courage and peace by placing our trust in Him.

Albania STM Team (Jul 1, 2025)