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!

My Champfleuri Experience (Graham)

During my two weeks in France I grew close to a couple of other guys. One was in my small group, who I will refer to as B. I really started talking to him after he read his testimony in front of the whole group in the grange (or our meeting area). He talked about the death of his sister and how deeply it affected him, specifically his grades. It was a depressing story, but through all his struggles B managed to find God at work. After his testimony, I began talking to B more regularly. About his church, his faith, and above all offering my time should he ever need to talk to someone for support. It was a sad goodbye when he parted two weeks ago, and sadly B does not have a Facebook.

Another camper I grew close to I will refer to as P. P spoke perfectly English so his interest in the camp wasn't about learning the language, but growing closer in his faith. I gave P my copy of Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis during the camp and asked him to read what he could in hopes that we would be able to discuss it later on. We finally had a chance to when the camp took a field trip to the largest high ropes course in France, which was about an hour and half away. During the trip we discussed the first half of the book; my mission through the book discussion was to try and bring P a step forward with his faith, where he would start baring witness to others and teach others of Christ. And while I believe I made significant steps forward with P, I also spent a lot of time offering support for problems in his life that he shared with me.

Part of my job at Champfleuri was to bring others further in their faith, but during my time there I found myself also helping the spiritually-wounded. This I believe will stick with them more than anything. At camp, all the campers developed a passion for one of the worship songs called Shelter by Jars of Clay. If you haven't heard the song, I strongly suggest you listen to it. The song gave us the push to support and help one another in our faith, to bare our sins and struggles onto each other so that we may be cleansed by Jesus. A verse I always keep in mind surrounding this experience comes from James 5:16: Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. 

I will always remember the lessons I learned at Champfleuri and carry them with me to college next year. I hope to return again at some point.