Perfect day...

Wednesday

On Wednesday we moved our schedule up a little bit so that we could go swimming in a natural pool that is nearby (it's basically like a public pool with a cafe, etc., but the pool is more like a pond).  It was the hottest day of the week so far, so it seemed like good timing.

A group was taken to a place called Lockbachlam (sp?), a beautiful wooded area, to hike through and then on to the pool (basically a 20-25 minute hike).  I decided to run there to get in my miles for training and was joined by a camper, Lukas as well as Bp. Meyer.  Lukas and I ran part of the way while Bp. Meyer took groups in the cars to Lockbachlam.  We got to a small village where we were supposed to meet Bp. Meyer and since it was so hot Lukas decided to knock on a door and ask if we could have a drink.  We walked up the stairs to a house and the lady that answered the door came out with two bottles of water and glasses.  Then we sat on her patio and just talked with her.  Her English was relatively good and I was able to have a good conversation with her.  Then her husband came out with two bowls of ice cream!  It was such a nice experience and I think a highlight of my trip - they were so kind. 

Bp. Meyer soon met up with us and we ran the rest of the way.  The part through Lockbachlam was simply incredible.  The creek is so pure that you can actually drink the water and it was quite refreshing.  The pool was a lot of fun as well and the cold water felt really good.  There is a lookout castle just up the hill from the pool and some of us went up and looked around. 

After swimming, we all drove back to Knuell for a hot meal and the evening lesson.  That night we went up to the tower, at the top of the hill, and looked at the stars and constellations through telescopes.  We actually got to see Jupiter and some of its moons!  It was so neat. 

Thursday

Thursday was rainy.  It has been amazing to me how God has orchestrated the weather to perfectly fit our schedule.  We had lessons and that afternoon we stained glass and made "windows" with designs about the theme of camp or whatever else people wanted to paint.  People came up with some pretty neat ones. 

During our devotional group on Thursday, one of the younger girls - Fenja (who is 15) - really opened up her heart to us.  It was really quite incredible.  She gave us her testimony about how God had redeemed her life from attempts at suicide and feelings of no self worth.  She is the younger sister of one of the campers that has been coming to camp for quite some time - Florian.  He is a strong Christian and played a key role in leading her to Christ. It was so exciting to hear her testimony, I was somewhat concerned about her at the beginning of camp.  She is still very young and has some maturing to do, but I can tell that God has a hold on her life now. 

Thursday morning we finished going through the seven last statements of Christ on the cross, so it was quite fitting to show the film we had planned for that night: The Passion by Mel Gibson (which also fit in because it was raining and we couldn't have a campfire).  After the evening lesson, we rearranged the large room to watch the movie and showed it with German subtitles (the language it is spoken in is Aramaic).  Some of the campers had seen it before, but it was still very powerful.  Some of the comments I got about it was that it was easy to know the Cross and feel what it had done in their life, but it was even more impacting to see what Christ actually went through.  Fenja, who I mentioned earlier, cried through the whole thing.  Also, the younger girl and boy - Sonja and Mattias - I think were touched by it.  You can continue to pray that God would disturb them and work out His salvation in their hearts. 

I have to go now, but I will try to update you on yesterday and today.  I have several pressing prayer requests and news about answers to prayers, so I will try to write more later this afternoon!

Peace in Christ,
Elyse