Half Way Through Camp- as told by Lilli Jorgens

“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.” James 3:17

Much like our other mornings, we started the day off by meeting as a team to go over a devotional, which was led by Randi. She read a portion of scripture from James 3, which included the verse featured above this paragraph. As a team, we discussed the importance of seeking godly wisdom rather than the wisdom of this world. Usually when someone gains even the slightest bit of worldly wisdom, they often develop a mindset of thinking they know all of it; they think they know everything. However, this passage in James talks about how wisdom should be accompanied by meekness or humility. That verse---verse 13--- seems quite counter cultural; wisdom typically turns into boasting, even if that isn’t our initial intention. But with possessing godly wisdom, the more of His wisdom you have, the more you realize how little you know in comparison. The more you realize He is God and we are not. He is omniscient or all-knowing and we are not and that is okay- good even. 

After our time together as a team, we walked to the school and shortly thereafter, we started our fourth day of English camp. It seems surreal that day four of English camp has came and went. In many ways it seems like we have already experienced a full week of camp with all the activities that occur within a nine to ten hour day. Yet at the same time, it is unbelievable knowing that there are only three days of camp remaining (excluding our field trip day tomorrow) and my heart longs for even more time with the Polish youth after Saturday. English camp has been wonderful this year! Even though it is a smaller group of campers compared to other years, this allows our American and Polish team to intentionally connect with the campers. It has been such a blessing for me personally to catch up with many of the campers and youth group leaders I met last year. To see their spiritual growth and see how God has changed them over the course of one year is an incredible experience. And I know the campers this year are learning and growing too. 

Like I briefly mentioned earlier, today was our fourth day of English camp. The English classes went well and each of our classes had a very fun, interactive time during today’s lesson on weather and film in Los Angeles, California. We played many different games throughout the day such as huggy bear, UNO, Tenzi, and squat ball, which is a variant of dodge ball. However, I think one of the best parts of the day occurred during our camp workshop time (and I think many of the campers would agree with me). There was a team from Fusion, which is a music group that is a part of Josiah Venture. Their team came to our camp today and taught us three different songs. Most of the campers as well as the leaders on the American and Polish team participated in this activity. For each song we learned choreography as well as different vocal parts. It was a blast for all of us to learn something new together and I loved how Fusion’s ministry focuses on teaching and learning new things for God’s glory. By the end, we were singing, dancing, and smiling to “Open the Clouds”, “No Roots”, and “Pod Wiatar.” Try to guess which song is Polish. I think many of the campers laughed as the Americans tried to follow along with the lyrics. 

I could write so much more about the Fusion workshop, English camp as a whole, and all we as a team have experienced within our week here in Poland. However, I will conclude by saying that God is so clearly at work in Poland. He is opening many of the campers hearts during their discussions. He is equipping the Polish youth group leaders that He has called to serve and lead this English camp. The youth here that know Jesus and have a relationship with Him are authentic and passionate and in awe of who God is. And God has been teaching me through them to fall more in love with Him each day. God has been teaching me to never lose the wonder I have toward/about Him. Please continue to pray for our team and this trip. Please pray for Jannah and Ben who fell ill today; pray for God’s healing and rest. Pray that the Holy Spirit would give us boldness and power tomorrow on the field trip as we continue conversing with the campers. Pray that the Holy Spirit would intercede on our behalf and help us to have spiritual conversations with the Polish youth group. Pray that we would be men and women of God who stand firm in whose we are. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your love, encouragement, support, and prayers. 

God Bless,

Lilli Jorgens