Midway point!

From the heart of Derek Bruns::

Today marked the halfway point of the English camp here in Skoczow.  We started off the day as a team praying for everything that has been happening both here in Poland and also back home at Timberwood as VBS is now in full swing.  We are confident that God will answer our prayers for VBS as he has been answering your prayers here in Poland.   

We had another full day of camp today which meant the schedule was very similar to yesterday.  We started off with the morning program where we were updated on how our color teams are ranking in points (Powerful Purplez all the way!!), did the camp song/dance, and taught two English lessons.  The English lessons keep getting better and better each day and we are confident that they will keep moving in this direction for the remainder of our time here. 

The afternoon was filled with workshops, snack, and volleyball.  I think everybody in Skoczow should be scared of Old Man Mills after the way he spiked that volleyball this afternoon.  We all had a great time being with the students in a setting where we were not teaching them something and I have found that the afternoons have been the times where the kids are starting to get rid of some of the “shyness” that they had earlier in the week. 

Tonights evening program focussed on how we are all sinners.  It was a tough night for some of the students as it may or may not have been the first time they have heard about the reality of sin and the consequences that come with sin.  However, it was a night filled with truth and bringing truth to these students is exactly why we are here.  The good news is that God decided to do something about it and that is what we are going to share with the students on Thursday night.  We are anticipating a stress free day out in the mountains with the students tomorrow where will have plenty of time to talk with any student that has questions about what they heard tonight and are already in prayer for Thursday when we tell them about the second half of Romans 6:23 which says, “but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Please join us in prayer as we lay out the gospel for these students in the next few days.  

As usual, we concluded the day eating dinner with the Polish team.  The time that we get to spend with them in the evening has been a huge blessing.  It’s pretty great when you jam 15-20 Christians into one room every single night, have great food, and lots of laughs.  We are all so thankful for the food and fellowship that they have provided us with this week.   

Please be in prayer for our day tomorrow and we take a 13 mile hike through the mountains.  Also be in prayer for Polish team as many of them are facilitating the cell groups (small groups after the evening program) as some of them have had a hard time getting their students to open up and focus on the Bible passage that is supposed to be discussed.  Again, be in prayer for us as a team as we may face tough questions from the students about the realities of sin and be in prayer for tomorrow and Thursday as we point them to God’s word and the promise that he has for us in his Son Jesus Christ.  Thank you all again for your support.  Have a great night at VBS!