So it's been a few days...
Friday and Saturday was more preparation as well as going to see the army camp on the west side of Germany that overlooked the east side and made sure they did not make any advancements. It was fascinating.
Sunday was extremely busy. At ten we had a communion service with the church that Bp. Meyer pastors, so we did the whole service in German. Since I have come for a couple years now, playing the piano went much more smoothly (listening for cues in German isn't always the easiest, but by God's grace can be done!)
After church, us girls began to clean the rooms and bathrooms because the other group that had been here (the Russian Germans) moved their stuff out to leave. The boys started grilling our lunch. When lunch was ready and cleaning was done, we all ate lunch with the Germans from Bp. Meyer's church. It was a sweet time - we ate on the patio and had a time where we shared testimonies. Bp. Meyer had the Americans introduce themselves so the Germans could get to know us. Also, some of our friends from past camps, Nils and Roy came and ate with us.
After lunch we decorated and got ready for the campers who arrived that afternoon. Once all the campers were here, we helped them move in and played volleyball until dinner time. After dinner we started our program - introducing everyone, going over the camp theme and rules and playing ice breakers. Then we went to the campfire for a bit before going on a night hike through the woods. Needless to say, I crashed into bed that night and had no problem getting to sleep!
Monday we hit the ground running beginning with morning chapel at 8 and breakfast at 8:30. We began the morning teaching with praise music and Bp. Sutton gave his first teaching about what the cross represents. We broke for lunch and some free time and then met again for discussion groups. Our group was good, though I think we were all a little tired. But the girls seemed to have picked up on what Bp. Sutton was saying. Feedback from the other groups was that they went really well.
That afternoon we taught the Germans how to play baseball (a camp favorite). Some had never played but thought it was great fun. I was able to go running afterwards (I'm trying to stay on top of training for a half-marathon). Then we had dinner at 6 and afterwards started the evening session which consisted of more praise music and a short version of evening prayer. I think the liturgy is new to many of the Germans, but one of them afterwards said he thought it was really cool that we said the Lord's prayer. I hope they begin to appreciate it more and more as camp goes on. Fr. Miller from New Jersey arrived safely yesterday afternoon and gave us an introduction last night to his teachings about Evolution and the supremacy of the Bible. I really enjoy his teaching style and the points he made were very good.
We had a campfire again last night with cookies and juice and then went to bed around midnight. I was thankful for a nap this morning after the first session!
Prayer Requests:
- Wolfgang, a hired hand at Knull, is working at turning his life around. At age 50, he has given his life to the Lord. He has had a difficult past but works hard and has been to every morning prayer at the chapel.
- Sonja and Mattias - two very young campers (their parents live here at Knull) who have only had 1-2 years of English. They do not understand much, but I pray the camp is very impacting for them. Sonja is only 10.
- Hannah - a camper who found out only 2 weeks ago that her mother has cancer. Her mother's birthday is today.
- Lukas - a 17 year old camper. I think he has been in church all his life and "knows it all" already, but he is really wandering in his own personal relationship with Christ. Pray that God would use this camp to awaken him to his need for the cross and forgiveness for his own sins.
I would write more but it is time for discussion groups. I hope all is well at home - I miss everyone very much! Thank you so much for your prayers - the Lord is using them and they are a blessing to me.
Elyse
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Friday, July 16, 2010
Today has been a full day so far -
The boys and Bp. Meyer went to the woods to finish collecting firewood for the campfire that we have every night during camp.
Esther and Tera accompanied Grace to the store to purchase food and supplies that we need.
Mandy, Tera and I spent time weeding the garden around the big house and Wolfgang helped clean up.
Bp. Sutton and Werner have continued working on the morning prayer/evening prayer services as well as the lessons. (
Werner on the services, Bp. on the lessons).
The songbook is almost finished. I've spent the afternoon proofreading the songs, typing up the copyright information, transferring copies of the hymns and formatting it all in the booklet. Last night I copied all of the music for the binder I will use to play from and Mandy cut the outsides of the booklets this afternoon. I feel accomplished!
Roy, Nils and Vanessa - Germans who were previously campers - might come tomorrow. I look forward to seeing them!
The boys and Bp. Meyer went to the woods to finish collecting firewood for the campfire that we have every night during camp.
Esther and Tera accompanied Grace to the store to purchase food and supplies that we need.
Mandy, Tera and I spent time weeding the garden around the big house and Wolfgang helped clean up.
Bp. Sutton and Werner have continued working on the morning prayer/evening prayer services as well as the lessons. (
Werner on the services, Bp. on the lessons).
The songbook is almost finished. I've spent the afternoon proofreading the songs, typing up the copyright information, transferring copies of the hymns and formatting it all in the booklet. Last night I copied all of the music for the binder I will use to play from and Mandy cut the outsides of the booklets this afternoon. I feel accomplished!
Roy, Nils and Vanessa - Germans who were previously campers - might come tomorrow. I look forward to seeing them!
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Camp Preparation, Schnitzel and Tornadoes!
Hello everyone,
I would have loved to write an update last night but the wireless went down. We spent yesterday preparing for camp and still resting a bit. Last night we walked to the Bogelhaus (a hostel and restaurant just down the road from Knuell camp) for half-priced Schnitzel. It was so yummy! When we got back a huge thunderstorm rolled in and we had to run inside. I've never seen a storm move so quickly - the wind picked up and many of the pine trees were bending almost halfway over. Once in the big house (where we are staying) we went to a safe place because Bp. Meyer said there was tornadic activity. The electricity went out and wireless went down, but God answered our prayers to keep everything else in tact. Fortunately we got electricity back only and hour or two later. Sadly, Bp. Meyer told me today that a forestman was killed in the storm after being crushed by a tree that fell over. Please pray for his family and those surrounding the situation. Germany has been having extreme weather - Bp. Meyer said that about every 5-7 years they have a hot summer, which it is. It's been in the 90's!
Today has been busy. A group of Russian-Germans who are German Baptist Brethren came in this evening to stay for camp. We spent the afternoon cleaning several rooms as well as the bathrooms by the Jause. This morning we had another team meeting and after lunch Esther and I cranked out more of the songbook. It is coming along really well - we have 49 songs total. Bp. Sutton has finished his notes - he is speaking on the 7 last Words (or sentences) of Christ as well as some points that Martin Luther made about the cross. It should be very interesting. Warner is typing up bulletins for morning prayer, evening prayer and Holy Communion. We will be doing Evensong in a church in Heidelburg when we go on tour there. Fr. Greg Miller will be joining us for English camp to teach basic Christian apologetics in the evening sessions.
In addition to these teachings, we plan to view the movies Passion of the Christ by Mel Gibson and End of the Spear about missionaries Jim Elliot and Nate Saint. After discussing Christ and His death on the cross, we will spend the end of camp talking about picking up our cross and following Him. We have several theme hymns, including one written by a German: "Ah, Holy Jesus" as well as "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross", "O Sacred Head Now Wounded" and "Am I a Soldier of the Cross?".
There will be a much smaller group of campers this year - about as many campers as leaders (so 8-10). I think some of us felt disappointed at first, but I think that God is going to work powerfully among this smaller group. It allows for much more focused relationships and time to spend on individuals and their questions. Over the weekend, however, we plan to have 8 or 9 additional campers - ones who have come in the past, and wanted to come this year, but couldn't get off work.
Prayer Requests:
- We will be attentive to what needs to be done around the grounds to help Grace (Meyer).
- God would prepare the hearts of the campers and remove any obstacles that might arise before coming to camp.
- God would prepare our hearts to have a burden for the campers and know how to reach out to them.
- We would be able to finish all of the details that need to be done beforehand.
- That Sunday would go smoothly: we have a communion service with Bp. Meyer's church, the Russian-Germans will be leaving after lunch, we must clean everything in preparation for the campers for English camp that will come that afternoon.
- For the family of the forestman who was killed last night in the storm.
- For the travels of Fr. Greg Miller, the campers and those who are coming this weekend (Weremchuks and Vanessa).
Praise
- Esther was not feeling well but God healed her.
- We have gotten a lot done so far.
- Aside from the storm, we have beautiful weather!
- Everyone's travels have been safe.
- Grace's back is much better!
May God's blessings and peace be yours. In Him, Elyse
I would have loved to write an update last night but the wireless went down. We spent yesterday preparing for camp and still resting a bit. Last night we walked to the Bogelhaus (a hostel and restaurant just down the road from Knuell camp) for half-priced Schnitzel. It was so yummy! When we got back a huge thunderstorm rolled in and we had to run inside. I've never seen a storm move so quickly - the wind picked up and many of the pine trees were bending almost halfway over. Once in the big house (where we are staying) we went to a safe place because Bp. Meyer said there was tornadic activity. The electricity went out and wireless went down, but God answered our prayers to keep everything else in tact. Fortunately we got electricity back only and hour or two later. Sadly, Bp. Meyer told me today that a forestman was killed in the storm after being crushed by a tree that fell over. Please pray for his family and those surrounding the situation. Germany has been having extreme weather - Bp. Meyer said that about every 5-7 years they have a hot summer, which it is. It's been in the 90's!
Today has been busy. A group of Russian-Germans who are German Baptist Brethren came in this evening to stay for camp. We spent the afternoon cleaning several rooms as well as the bathrooms by the Jause. This morning we had another team meeting and after lunch Esther and I cranked out more of the songbook. It is coming along really well - we have 49 songs total. Bp. Sutton has finished his notes - he is speaking on the 7 last Words (or sentences) of Christ as well as some points that Martin Luther made about the cross. It should be very interesting. Warner is typing up bulletins for morning prayer, evening prayer and Holy Communion. We will be doing Evensong in a church in Heidelburg when we go on tour there. Fr. Greg Miller will be joining us for English camp to teach basic Christian apologetics in the evening sessions.
In addition to these teachings, we plan to view the movies Passion of the Christ by Mel Gibson and End of the Spear about missionaries Jim Elliot and Nate Saint. After discussing Christ and His death on the cross, we will spend the end of camp talking about picking up our cross and following Him. We have several theme hymns, including one written by a German: "Ah, Holy Jesus" as well as "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross", "O Sacred Head Now Wounded" and "Am I a Soldier of the Cross?".
There will be a much smaller group of campers this year - about as many campers as leaders (so 8-10). I think some of us felt disappointed at first, but I think that God is going to work powerfully among this smaller group. It allows for much more focused relationships and time to spend on individuals and their questions. Over the weekend, however, we plan to have 8 or 9 additional campers - ones who have come in the past, and wanted to come this year, but couldn't get off work.
Prayer Requests:
- We will be attentive to what needs to be done around the grounds to help Grace (Meyer).
- God would prepare the hearts of the campers and remove any obstacles that might arise before coming to camp.
- God would prepare our hearts to have a burden for the campers and know how to reach out to them.
- We would be able to finish all of the details that need to be done beforehand.
- That Sunday would go smoothly: we have a communion service with Bp. Meyer's church, the Russian-Germans will be leaving after lunch, we must clean everything in preparation for the campers for English camp that will come that afternoon.
- For the family of the forestman who was killed last night in the storm.
- For the travels of Fr. Greg Miller, the campers and those who are coming this weekend (Weremchuks and Vanessa).
Praise
- Esther was not feeling well but God healed her.
- We have gotten a lot done so far.
- Aside from the storm, we have beautiful weather!
- Everyone's travels have been safe.
- Grace's back is much better!
May God's blessings and peace be yours. In Him, Elyse
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Over the Rhine... or actually, on it. To Knuell Camp we go!
Hello Everyone!
I made it to Germany, safe and sound. Almost missed my flight but it was only a close call. I met a group from Texas: Bishop Sutton, Esther Sutton, Austin Sutton, Patrick Sheehan, Mandy Mullarkey, Tera Deupree and Warner Heissenhuber who were accompanied by Bishop Meyer and Martin, a man from Schwazenborn that assists him. We arrived around 9:30 AM.
Bishop Meyer is his usual self (going, going, going) and we began doing things as soon as we left the airport: we went to a town on the Rhine River and got food, shopped and toured. Then, we took a 2 hour ride down the Rhine on a ferry. It was beautiful, though many of us laid our heads on the table and went sound to sleep.We arrived at the Knuell Camp around 7 last evening and met Grace. Gabby (the camp cook) had a hot meal waiting for us. After hanging out for a bit, we hit the sack.
Today we had a meeting over the plans for camp and began working on the songbook. It has been rather laid back as we all recover from jet lag. I was able to go jogging through the countryside which was absolutely beautiful as I continue to train for the race in the fall. This evening we were dropped off in the town that sits down the hill from camp and went to a pizzeria - so yummy! Then we were able to soak up some more secenery as we walked back and enjoyed the sunset. Tomorrow should be a full day of preparation after Morning Prayer.
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