The second week of English Camp is in full swing, and we are all starting to feel it. For all the joy that we have for the kids, it is only by the grace of God that we keep going.  And it is incredibly fruitful.  We have seen relationships with these students blossom incredibly, and the light we have seen in these kids’ lives is an incredible motivation to keep pushing the gospel in every way that we can.

Wednesday of the second week was the most hectic last year, and it hasn’t gotten any easier this year.  We continued with the english classes, and managed to begin planning our skits for the parent nights.  As I struggle to write a coherent post before slipping into a food coma, I get to my favorite part.  We were fortunate enough to be hosted at some of the kids’ homes for dinner tonight.  After eating at restaurants every night for all this trip, it seems like we should be fairly grateful. And we are, but they don’t hold a candle to the meals that the hosts have cooked for us.  For the first time in a month, I am content with the nigh-painful fullness of my tummy.  These parents are saints, not only for the meals that they had amazingly provided for us, but also for opening their homes to people as awkward and strange as our team.

I have had the amazing experience of growing closer with not only the campers that I had ignited a friendship with last year, but also with my team members.  Ippei, Ben, Tyler and I were fortunate enough to play ping pong with a few of the campers, and it became incredibly evident how close the members on this team have become.  The highlight of my night, other than the unhealthy amounts of goulash sloshing around in my belly, would have to be tickling Ippei to the point of tears.

In all seriousness, however, God has been working miracles within this camp through each of the team members.  We have seen so much growth, and so many professions of faith in the past few years of this camp.  We are still fortunate enough to experience the lives of these kids being altered in the biggest way possible, but we also get to see them grow in their newfound faith.  Through so many discussions with these students, we get to learn exactly where they stand in their faith, and help them through problems and questions many of us have struggled with in the past.  God is working in this camp, and my prayers go with this ministry as I finish my last two days of God’s work in this country.  I’m sure your prayers join mine to our Father, and I am incredibly thankful for all the support that our team has from everyone.