Vranov, Day 3

Wednesday’s theme was “courage when we face obstacles.” We heard the story of Joshua and the fall of Jericho and were treated to a dramatic performance during opening. Phil managed to bring looks of surprise and awe to the faces of many children – feelings likely shared by the Israelites! The paper trumpet craft was fun but completed sooner than planned… which naturally called for an impromptu parade around camp (thankfully, no walls came tumbling down).

After camp, the team met for a debriefing session where we shared “Jesus moments.” Several teachers praised their interpreters for their creative ideas during crafts, savvy script-writing, positive behavior management, and ability to effectively facilitate profound discussions. We would be truly lost without this amazing group of Slovaks!

Other teachers shared answers to prayers as they recognized a positive shift in behaviors and attentiveness. One teacher noted that her early worries were put aside as she saw students begin to grasp the importance of the Gospel. While some students expressed gratitude for things like friends, food, etc., one boy stated that he was grateful for an eternal home in heaven. Another teacher was excited that a student who had been particularly timid to speak in English on Monday showed exceptional courage on Wednesday. These students are all showing us what it means to practice what we preach!

Vranov, Day 4

Thursday, we learned about the day God stopped the sun from setting and what it means to have “courage when we feel overwhelmed.” We had another fun day filled with singing, sunny sports, and sun catcher crafts. In class, we practiced intentional prayer, played language games, and made final adjustments to our skit scripts for Friday’s closing program.

During the evening, we invited families to join us for a short program followed by a potluck meal. Families graciously brought an array of baked goods (koláč), savory treats, chips, and fresh fruits. Children excitedly grabbed our hands and pulled us over to meet their parents, and we all enjoyed chatting with new friends. The atmosphere was bittersweet as we remembered we only have one more day with the incredible group of children.

Prayer Requests

• Saturday morning, we will take a bus to our next location in Svit. Please pray for safe travels for the team and any Slovak helpers who may be coming from afar.

• A camp helper from Russia is interested in studying in Slovakia. She is extremely active in her church and is passionate about sharing the love of Jesus with children. Please pray that doors open for her in her efforts to study and share the Gospel.

• Join us in praising God for an amazing week at camp. Pray that the children continue to develop in their faith and have the courage to share the Good News with those around them.