Wow, a month later and 4 camps done...summer is flying by! I really had an amazing time on camp :-) There is so much to tell - where to begin??? Each camp was truly unique and special in its own way. I was helping out as a leader and also doing arts & crafts + preparing some other activities too. With the Novi Most camp our theme was "Significance, Acceptance and Security" and it was amazing to see the openness of the young people especially in small group discussions. This camp was at "Jahorina" - a place in the mountains not far from Sarajevo. It was great getting to know the young people and becoming good friends on camp. Some of the highlights were a daytrip to Sarajevo, "night games", group activities and just "hanging out" :-)
After Novi Most camp it was time for Church Kid's Camp 1 @ Boračko Jezero ("Boračko Lake"). It is a place in the mountains not far from the town "Konjic" in Bosnia and Herzegovina. When I first came to BiH in 2002 our team served at the church camps there. That year was the first time they had camps at Boračko Jezero and I still have fond memories of that time. Thus, being able to return there after so many years was a great blessing to me.
The theme of kid's camp was "Heroes" and we looked at some of the "Heroes without names" in the Bible (like the boy with 2 fish & 5 loaves; the servant girl that worked for Naaman, Paul's nephew who warned Paul and the officials about the plot to kill Paul...etc.) We also looked at some "Modern day heroes" like Anne Frank, Mother Theresa, William Wilberforce, Nelson Mandela and every day the children had the opportunity to learn how they too could be "heroes". They prayed for things happening in the world and also for their friends on camp. Our memory verse for the week was 1 Timothy 4:12 - "Don't let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity."
Ha,ha..It was a good language lesson for me to learn it in Bosnian/Croatian!!! :-)
My favourite songs were "Bog je moj Heroj" (God is my Hero") and "Ja cu ici, ici, ici - ja cu reci, rec, rec..svima kazat' da Si to ti sto me spasi" (I will go,go,go - I will tell, tell, tell that it's You who saved me"). Other activities included a talent show, Master Chef competition, walk in the forest, swimming at the lake, rope courses, "Village fare" etc. It was an awesome camp!
On teen camp the theme was "Život je priča" ("Life is a story") and it was all about the choices we make in life and how that determines/influences where we go. We had different group activities and games and also different workshops where the young people could choose between sport, adventure, arts&crafts and discussions about certain topics. One morning everybody was woken up at 5am and in groups had to work together and complete different challenges all around the lake. 
The early wake-up was a challenge in itself, but despite that the activity was well received by most of the teens and afterwards many said that this was a highlight for them of camp. 
After teen camp it was time for the second kid's camp and we had the same theme i.e: "Heroes" . On this camp we had a group of teenagers from teen camp helping as leaders and what a blessing they were! I personally think this was an excellent decision from the leader's side to give these teens the opportunity to step out and gain experience in leading activities. The teens organised and hosted the camp talent show and also helped leading worship. They enjoyed it very much and I think this camp was a big blessing to young and small.
Looking back to the four weeks of camp I can just say: "Thank You Jesus!" So many lives were touched - including my own. God spoke to me in many different ways and I am so grateful that I was able to go. Seeing the passion and love of the other leaders for God, each other and the children - really blessed and encouraged me. I pray that God will continue to stir the passion in my heart for Jesus - to know Him more intimately and understand His great and amazing love for me and for the whole world.
Whether on camp or at home, our life matters - we were created for a reason. Every day we have an opportunity to make a difference in someone's life...to be a "hero"...and it doesn't have to be something big. Often it's the little things we do that have the biggest impact!
May we live shining God's light and fulfilling our God-given purpose...
With all my love,
L xx
