Champfleuri 2012 (Liz)

God was definitely at work during Champfleuri this year! It differed from my experience in 2010 because I felt like there were more campers who classified them selves as Christians, which was exciting, but after talking with a few girls I got the sense that their religion didn't result in a different lifestyle expressing a relationship with Christ, but it was more of just a religion that they claimed to be part of. On the hike we slept out under the stars overnight, and it was while we were scrunched on top of each other on a small tarp that God gave me the opportunity to talk with A, and encourage her in her walk with Christ. She was struggling greatly with family issues, and when I encouraged her to pray about it, she didn't really understand how she was to pray. God used this opportunity for me to talk about prayer with her and to pray side by side with her about her family struggle. The large group meeting previously that day was focused on suffering, and at night we were also able to talk about how the talk had a great impact on her which led into conversation on how what was said upfront applies to her life. God really opened her heart to talk to me that night, and I am very thankful that God used me to help encourage a sister in Christ.
On a more personal note, I felt that God was also at work in me during TED. The night before the campers arrived I became very nervous about meeting all these new campers and battling through the language barrier. The next morning I could tell that God had eased my fears, and that everything was going to be okay. As the campers arrived I, by the grace of God, was able to step out of my comfort zone and get to know many of the french campers. God helped me to understand during the two weeks of TED that I wasn't just serving others and stepping out of my comfort zone in order to be the ideal 'intentional camper', but rather it was for the ultimate purpose of furthuring God's kingdom through truly loving the other (in Corey's words :)), and in my case encouraging them in the name of Christ as they faced the struggles of life. Thank you all for your prayers, they were greatly appreciated!