Update (we are involved with alot currently!) ... Jim

Hello again Home Team! -


With this first full day under wraps, our days are now officially 'smoking,' with small group discussions, large group talks (Buan on 'fairness' today (was the cross a fair thing for Jesus? ... an example of grace, not fairness ... I Cor. 6, and games (today was a TED olympics, rotating among 4 different stations of games. These all lead in significant ways to relationships (with our Savior, and with each other). Oh yea, and Liz gave her testimony today just prior to Buan's message.  Sweet! Let’s see if I can give a good overview of some typical daily events, using yesterday as an example.

Yesterday (Saturday) started off with a simple breakfast (bread, cereal if desired, coffee, and fruit), followed by our first small group hour. The small groups are classified by English speaking ability, with our team spread out completely among the 8 groups (11 each, full camp!). Although English speaking ability helps, this can be significant time for every member to form deeper knowledge of each other, and have meaningful conversations. Tim and Josh and others are with barely-English speaking groups. Large group follows small groups, and was an introduction to I Corinthians, Paul's letter to the church at the wild city of Corinth ... represents contemporary challenges well.


Lunch followed, so far it's been a fairly American cuisine, with a lot of cucumber and tomatoes for good measure. Fun afternoon as well … we ran 'Ultimate Frisbee' down in Froges (probably a 1 mile hike down and up the mountain the camp is situated on.  Workshops followed, with Liz, Corey, Nate, Jeremy, and Peter all leading one.  Workshops consist of American Campers or French Counselors instructing French campers in an activity ... lasting 45 minutes or more.  Another great interaction (and leadership building) activity.  Showers and dinner followed … and then the evening was consumed by ‘Pictionary down the Lane,' a wonderfully engaging activity for the whole group (ask your team member when they get home). A great relationship building day.  By the way, camp leaders were really sweating weather when we got here ... supposed to rain a lot.  Well, the forecast has improved drastically, and we haven't seen rain yet, other than once in the middle of the night.  Thanks for praying about this as we go forward.


I couldn't be more appreciative of the fabulous Sr. Highers that we have sent over to serve in France.  We just had a brief meeting today among our team, and they have handled any awkward moments well, and really have breezed through the 'getting to know' stage. Please pray that we would stay on course, not just falling into being a 'camper' for the next week or so, but that we would continue to listen for God's lead where we can be 'intentional campers,' those who will reach out and serve ... for the purpose of extending God's kingdom on earth, and to raise disciples that love our Lord.  


Here's what I am most proud of. These 11 are outgoing (even if it doesn't come naturally) in order to help those French who also don't know any others, and because they know they will not integrate if they give up on getting to know their French peers. That is a difficult ... and worthwhile effort!


So ... blessings to the homefront.


Oh, and pray for Kari, who has a sore back (but not really sure yet how it happened).  She lost a bit of sleep last night, and is taking it easy today.


Blessed,
Jim