june 30

June 30

Today begins the first day of camp!   The Alabama team went into Liepâja today after breakfast to do some more sightseeing and shopping and such while everyone else stayed at camp to do some more last minute projects.  Courtney, Brandon and I finished the flower arrangements that Courtney and I began last night (under Maria’s directions – she is quite talented in the field of floristry!) and had a little help from Kristine (not the same Kristine from Riga) and Altis who are from Latvia so it was fun getting to know them a little better and talk to Altis about the Bible and Brandon got a chance to talk a little more with him later about the power of the Scripture and how it has changed his life.  Kristine goes to the Baptist church so it was good to hear the differences and similarities in her church and the Methodist church in Liepâja.  Brandon and Altis helped Ingmars with a project building little houses for part of the program tonight while Laura, Courtney, Kristine and I peeled potatoes. 

Dan arrived just before lunch and helped fix some leftovers and such to eat.  The four of us had a brief meeting afterwards to clarify some things about the coming week (which has been slightly confusing as to what we are doing and what our roles will be).  Brandon and I are both going to be team leaders which, as far as we know, means that we will be heading up small groups (mixed with some people from each country on each team) for the work projects that we will have every day.  Brandon is speaking a little tonight about one portion of the house and I am leading a bible study later in the week. 

That’s about all we know for sure right now, but it could very well change soon. Who knows.  We are learning to be patient and just roll with whatever is thrown at us.  The group from Alabama didn’t get back till around four and hadn’t eaten lunch so Courtney and I prepared something for them and then made necklaces for all of the campers so we will know who is registered.  We tied washers to yarn and the washers are to symbolize the cleansing blood of Christ that has washed us clean and how God is the beginning and the end and like the circular shaped of the washer, He is never-ending.

The opening service began with John Wesley coming to speak to us a little about his background and encourage us for the week.  Yanis dressed up as him, wig and all and it was really funny. Everyone at camp went out to put the new sign up, and then the Alabamians led worship.  The youth were split into five groups for the evening project of building a church.  Each group rotated between the leaders and received a piece of the church (the walls, the floor, the roof, the door, and the cross) and what that part represented, and then they nailed the pieces together to make the five small churches.  We had a bit more worship before heading out to the fire for a later dinner of a delicious stew the cook had prepared. After the leadership meeting a few of the leaders played some cards before heading to bed…only to be greeted by the dog snoring again.  It seems odd that the one who is getting the most rest is the canine who will not be doing any work…