Estonian Exploration: Pärnu, English Camp

My story, your story, God's story.

We all have stories to share. Every one's story is different.

By sharing our story we reveal a little bit of ourselves to those who listen and it draws us closer together. This past week at camp many different types of stories were heard and told. Each morning and evening we shared stories from the Bible about different key people in Jesus' family line: Rahab, Judah, Ruth, David, as well as a few others. Later in small groups we dug deeper into the stories and were able to share similar stories from our lives as well.

My small group praying with one another on the last night

Throughout camp, as as one story after another was told my small group and I began to draw closer and closer to each other. My favorite memories from this camp were the times spent talking, laughing, and shedding tears with each other. Two girls, Maaris and Laura, were both very quiet and didn't like to talk during the first few meeting sessions. As the week progressed and they began to open up it was fun to learn that they are the two biggest practical jokesters I have ever met! They continued to keep me entertained with pranks they've pulled at home and school.

Laura and Maarice.

Maaris and Laura both do not believe in God, but He really touch them this past week at camp. One of the nights we talked about being re-born spiritually. Maaris told us that she thought that was impossible and no one can be born again or given a second chance on life. Later that evening she shared about a time she went to a church and while everyone was singing worship songs she felt something and that it was probably the holy spirit. . . I don't mind that she is unable to grasp the concept of spiritual re-birth, so long as she can grasp the idea of the holy spirit being real and alive in people.
Cool Fact: Most of the students who signed up for camp because Maaris told them about it.

Maris (yes, different from Maaris) another girl in my small group was really convicted this week to live out her life for God. She had been to, two English Camps in the past and believed in God but wasn't living a life that reflected it. She didn't make going to church, reading the Bible or praying a priority in her life. . . or even existent. This past week at camp her eyes were opened to what it means to live for God and how important it is to grow in Him daily.

Her first step of faith was inviting her best friend to the 'After Party' (gathering after camp in the city with all the students). Her best friend had no idea that Maaris was a Christian or that the English Camp was connected with a church. During the After Party one of the girls, Sarah, from the American team started talking with Maarice's friend and by the end of the night she accepted Christ. Now together, Maarice and her friend can keep each other accountable and encourage one another in their new faith.

Youth Leaders (minus Lev)

The Pärnu youth group was excited for this year's English Camp. They have had a desire to grow their youth group for years but never really did anything about it. This year they came to camp with a mission, backed by months of prayer. There were three girls and one guy who accepted Christ at camp and many more who called themselves Christians but realized their lives, words, and actions didn't reflect it. They youth group is ready to help, encourage, grow and disciple all of them.

Lev, one of the youth leader told me that he finally realized the church was not a building and a place for people to come to be saved or grow, but instead it is the people in the church who do this. He realized, along with others in the group, that he doesn't have to wait for the students to come to the church to share the gospel but that he can do it while playing soccer, at work, in school, and any other place that conversations can start or be held. I am so excited for this youth group and all that God is going to continue to teach them and how He will be growing them in the next year.