Friday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!GARDEN PARTY!

English Camp 2007; Friday!!!! click here

Friday came so quickly! Wow, I actually can't believe the camp is over, and now even the garden party is over! I've posted some pictures from today, so quickly, for all of you who couldn't be here. We missed you and lot of the kids say, "Ahoj! Hello!" I'm sorry that I don't have a lot of words at the moment, but hopefully I will have a chance to reflect back in the next few days. All I have to say right now is thank you for checking the blog this week and staying in touch. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers, and I hope you enjoyed the photos!

Wednesday and Thursday--Getting over the hump

English Camp; Wednesday click here

The Young King David told us his story about fighting the giant to protect his people and family, as we talked about kind acts that start small and turn out to be big. As the kids traveled around to the different classes they found very exciting activities on this not so normal Wednesday. Check out the Baseball games, the invisible bubbles, and the T-shirts!
I think Lindsay stole the show on Thursday, as she shared about her Lakota heritage in the Surprise room. You'll also see some Basketball and a fun craft where each of the groups made a plaque with a picture of their group. In the drama room we watched part of the movie Pay It Forward, and we talked about doing things for others and paying forward the kindnesses done to us. With the younger kids in Drama, we practiced mirroring each other as we would practice the kind acts we see others doing around us.

English Camp 2007; Thursday click here

Tuesday--second day of camp

English Camp 2007; Tuesday click here to view-Day 2

Well, Ester welcomed us into the second day of camp, as we learned about volunteers, who do things for others who can't. In Drama, the kids came up with commercials to tell other people how they could help. In Surprise, the kids went searching for little bits of information, in snack they started their crossword puzzle for the week, in recreation they played Dodge Ball, and in crafts they made cards to give to others. In the afternoon, we had a chance to go on different day trips and a good time with our Czech friends. In the evening we had a relaxing dinner in the country. What a day! The week is really moving along!

First day of Camp!

English Camp 2007; Monday click here to view--Day 1

Monday morning we began bright and early with some of our favorite Engergizers: 500 miles and Star trekkin’. After a welcome and introduction, we had our first skit of the week that talked about the theme for the week, Random Acts of Kindness. Abigail’s story(1 Samuel 25) helped us to understand ordinary deeds of goodwill that can make a difference. Then the students split into teams named after different US cities and they went to a series of station: Crafts, Drama, Recreation, Snacks, and the Surprise room. In Crafts they made their journal for the week, so they can write down things when it is needed. In Drama (my room) we played Charades with examples of acts of goodwill and then watched and discussed the examples in the Coke commercial with the song “Give a little love and it all comes back to you,” maybe you’ve seen it. In Recreation they played Four Square, and in Snacks they learned about the city for their team. The surprise for the day was a lesson full of new Energizers and dances. When each group had completed all of their stations, we all gathered back into the sanctuary for a few more energizers and Kerry’s News Report of the Day—Mother Theresa cleaned an old man’s lamp, and brought light back into his life.
If that wasn’t a full enough day, after lunch we visited a special castle, Nove Hrady. Many of the Czech volunteers and students came with us on the trip. We had a great time and saw some very interesting furniture inside the castle.
On some nights this week, Czechs host us for dinner, and we get to spend more time getting to know them as we share photos, laughs, and culture. Sunday night and Monday night the American was split into small groups and distributed to different families. Each of us has great stories and memories from these dinners and I know we’re all looking forward for the next dinners to come.

The Week-beginning

English Camp 2007; Saturday and Sunday click here to view pictures

On Saturday we spent the afternoon with our host families. Some went to play mini golf, some went to the forest and picked blueberries, and Jacque and I went to see Harry Potter 5...dubbed in Czech, believe it or not. I think we all had some fun experiences. That night we came together with all of the families and got to know each other better over dinner.
Sunday morning we got up early and came for church. For several years the congregation here in Policka has been raising money for a new organ. It finally arrived this week, and we enjoyed our first Sunday with the new organ, played by none other than my mother, Ann. I can't tell you how refreshing it is every time I hear the new organ. Jacque and I sang "His eye is on the sparrow" and I played flute with a friend playing violin. After the worship we had tea/coffee and then lunch and then it was straight to work to prepare for the week. But don't let me give you the wrong impression, there was a lot of work, but definitely a lot of play.

Believe it or not

English Camp 2007; welcoming the Americans (click here to view pictures)

Well, believe it or not, the Americans arrived to Czech Republic on Friday afternoon, safe and sound, with hardly any problems on the way here. Several of the Czechs came to the airport to welcome them, and I was glad that I could be there as well to greet them and make them feel at home.