Hope Is Bigger Than Giants

Our second day of English Bible Camp in Ruzomberok had the energy levels up like day one! The classrooms were filled with laughter, English lessons, games, crafts, music, sports, and countless conversations between campers, translators, and our team. Watching friendships develop across languages and cultures is always one of the greatest joys of these camps.The day two Bible lesson focused on one of the best-known stories in Scripture: David and Goliath.

Most children know the story of the little shepherd who defeated the giant. But our goal was not simply to tell a familiar Bible story. Our hope was to help the children discover something even more important. David didn’t defeat Goliath because he was brave enough, smart enough, or strong enough. He defeated Goliath because he trusted that God was bigger than the giant standing in front of him.That is the kind of hope we want every child to discover.

The truth is, every one of us faces giants. For a child, that giant may be fear, loneliness, difficulties at school, family struggles, or wondering if anyone truly cares about them. For adults, our giants may have different names, but they are just as real. The good news is that our hope is never found in our own strength. Our hope is found in the God who walks with us through every challenge.

As I watched our team today, I realized that some of the most important ministry wasn’t happening during the formal lessons. It happened while learning how to hit a baseball. It happened over lunch. It happened sitting next to a child during a craft. It happened through smiles, laughter, encouragement, and patient conversations made possible by our wonderful translators.

Those moments remind me that ministry is built on relationships. The Gospel is certainly proclaimed with words, but it is often experienced first through love, kindness, patience, and genuine interest in another person.

No matter how big the giant, our God is bigger.

Thank you for walking with us through your prayers and support. We are grateful to be part of what God is doing here in Slovakia.

DAY 3 RUZOMBEROK – Halfway Through: Finding Hope in Every Part of the Journey

One of the most meaningful moments of the day didn’t happen during a scheduled activity at all.

In one of our classrooms, the children began asking some remarkably thoughtful questions about God. Their curiosity opened the door to a conversation that went far deeper than anyone had anticipated. Questions led to more questions, and before long the teacher had the opportunity to share the Gospel in a very personal way.

What made that moment even more special was the role of the translator.

As the conversation became deeper and more theological, she skillfully and thoughtfully bridged not only the language gap but also the spiritual conversation. Her ability to communicate the truth of God’s love and the hope we have in Jesus was remarkable. Watching the partnership between teacher and translator unfold was a beautiful reminder that we are truly serving together. Neither could have done it alone.

Moments like these remind us that while we prepare lesson plans and activities, we never know when God will open the door for something much deeper. Our responsibility is simply to be ready when He does. That experience also caused me to reflect on how every part of camp contributes to the larger story. It’s easy to think of the classroom teachers as doing the “important” work because they spend the most time with the children. But this week has reminded me that ministry happens in every corner of camp.

The sports field teaches more than games. Children learn teamwork, perseverance, encouragement, and how to win with humility and lose with grace. They also discover new English words while running, laughing, and playing together. The craft room provides something different. Some children who are quiet in the classroom come alive when they have an opportunity to create something with their hands. Art becomes another language through which they can express themselves, build confidence, and connect with their leaders.

Music opens still another door. Songs have a remarkable way of helping children remember English vocabulary while, at the same time, planting God’s Word deep within their hearts. Long after camp is over, many of these children will still be singing the songs they learned this week. Every rotation has its own purpose. Every leader has unique gifts. Every translator plays an essential role. Every conversation matters.

Perhaps that’s one of the greatest lessons of the week so far. God uses all kinds of people, with all kinds of gifts, in all kinds of settings, to accomplish His purposes. Whether in a classroom, on the sports field, around a craft table, during music, or in a quiet conversation between a child and a translator, He is always at work.

RUZOMBEROK – DAY 4

Today was another wonderful day at English Bible Camp in Ruzomberok.

As we move into the second half of the week, there is a noticeable change in the atmosphere. The children arrive each morning with excitement and anticipation. The classrooms are filled with laughter, English conversations are becoming more natural, and friendships continue to grow not only among the campers, but between the campers, translators, and our team.

One of the greatest joys this week has been watching the children become increasingly confident. Many who were hesitant to speak English on Monday are now eagerly raising their hands, answering questions, and even helping one another find the right words. Confidence is growing not because they are no longer making mistakes, but because they have discovered this is a safe place to learn.

Today’s Bible lesson focused on one of the most important truths in all of Scripture: God’s forgiveness.

David made serious mistakes that hurt both God and others. Yet when God confronted him through the prophet Nathan, David confessed his sin and experienced God’s mercy. It was a wonderful opportunity to remind the children that while all of us make mistakes, none of us is beyond God’s love and forgiveness through Jesus Christ.

One of the beautiful things about this camp is that we never know when God will open the door to something deeper. Again today was a powerful reminder that our translators do far more than translate language. They help build relationships, create understanding, and faithfully communicate the hope we have in Christ. We are incredibly grateful for each of them.

After camp ended, our team had the opportunity to enjoy a little free time exploring the historic center of Ruzomberok before gathering at the church for a wonderful evening together. Our Slovak hosts prepared a delicious meal, but the greatest gift was simply the opportunity to slow down and enjoy one another’s company. Without the schedule of camp pressing in, conversations became deeper, friendships grew stronger, and we were reminded once again that ministry is built on relationships.

Pastor Daniel even treated us to music on the fujara, a traditional Slovak shepherd’s flute recognized as part of Slovakia’s rich cultural heritage. It was a special moment that gave us a glimpse into the history and traditions of this beautiful country. The evening concluded with a meaningful exchange of gifts.

Daniel and Tatiana presented each member of our team with a beautiful handmade Slovak bell – a reminder of the friendship and partnership we now share. Nancy and I had the privilege of presenting each team member, translator, and our hosts with a handcrafted wooden cross. As I shared, the heart at the center reminds us that God’s mission has always been about love, while the gently curved shape reminds us that life and ministry rarely follow a straight path. Yet through every unexpected turn, the cross remains constant, and the love of Christ remains at the center.

That moment captured what this week has really been about. Yes, we have taught English. Yes, we have played games, sung songs, and made crafts. But more importantly, we have built relationships. We have laughed together. We have worshiped together. We have prayed together. We have served together.

And in doing so, we have experienced something much bigger than an English Bible Camp. We have experienced the beauty of the Body of Christ. We continue to be deeply grateful for Pastor Daniel, Tatiana, the translators, and members of the local church who have worked so hard to make this camp possible. We are not here to run our own program, we are privileged to serve alongside them as partners in the Gospel.

We would be grateful for your continued prayers that the seeds planted this week would continue to grow, that the friendships formed would continue to flourish, and that every child would leave knowing that the greatest hope in life is found not in ourselves, but in Jesus Christ.

RUZOMBEROK DAY 5

Today we said goodbye. After a week filled with English lessons, songs, crafts, sports, games, skits, laughter, and countless conversations, our English Bible Camp in Ruzomberok came to a close.

Goodbyes are never easy. As the children gathered one last time for the closing program, there was excitement over what we had accomplished together—but there were also hugs, tears, promises to stay in touch, and the realization that something special had happened over the course of five short days.

When we first arrived on Monday morning, many of the children were understandably quiet and a bit hesitant to speak English. By Friday, the classrooms sounded completely different. The children were answering questions, encouraging one another, laughing with our team, and confidently using words and phrases they had learned throughout the week.

Watching that growth was incredibly rewarding. But even more encouraging was seeing their confidence grow in ways that had nothing to do with language. Friendships had formed. Trust had been built. Questions about God had been asked. Seeds of faith had been planted.

Throughout the week, we explored the theme “Living in Hope: Lessons from the Life of David.” The children discovered that hope is found when God chooses us, when we face giants, when life becomes difficult, when we need forgiveness, and when we trust God’s promises. Yet every lesson ultimately pointed beyond David. David’s story points us to Jesus. He is our true Shepherd. He is our eternal King. He is the One in whom our hope is found.

As I reflect on the week, I keep coming back to something we’ve said many times before: Mission is not about completing a project. It is about building relationships.

This week those relationships were everywhere. Between campers and teachers. Between translators and our American team. Between churches separated by thousands of miles but united in Christ. Between children who arrived as strangers and left as friends.

Those relationships are not an “extra” part of ministry. They are the ministry.

One of the greatest blessings of the week was watching our translators. They were far more than interpreters. They became partners, encouragers, teachers, and friends. Again and again, they helped bridge not only language, but hearts. We leave Slovakia deeply grateful for each one of them.

We also leave with profound gratitude for Pastor Daniel and Tatiana, whose faithful leadership and hospitality made this entire week possible. Their vision for reaching children and families through English Bible Camp continues to bear fruit year after year, and it has been an honor to serve alongside them.

As our bus pulled away from Ruzomberok this afternoon, there was certainly sadness. But there was also hope. Hope because we know the ministry does not end when our plane takes off. The local church remains. The translators remain. The friendships remain. The Gospel remains. God will continue the work He has begun.

As our team begins the next chapter of our journey together in Kraków, Poland, we do so with hearts full of gratitude. We are thankful for every child, every volunteer, every translator, every meal, every prayer, every conversation, and every opportunity God gave us to witness His faithfulness.

Thank you to everyone who prayed for us from home. Your prayers have sustained and encouraged us throughout the week.

Please continue praying for Pastor Daniel and the congregation in Ruzomberok. Pray for the children and their families, that the seeds planted this week would continue to grow. Pray for the translators and counselors as they continue serving in their own communities.

And pray that all of us, whether in Slovakia, Poland, or back home, would continue to live in the hope that we have celebrated all week long. Because this was the last day of camp. But it is not the end of the story.

God is still writing it.