Fly-Out Day
Each year, I anxiously anticipate the start of July because so many things begin for the summer in Czech and we launch many activities. The first couple weeks of July is set aside for LetFest - this is our multi-generational, multi-cultural camp with English, sports, music, dance, seminars, and a multitude of other activities and workshops. This year, my co-teacher and I had about 20 kids in our English Class from the ages of 5 to 8 years.
English Class Kids
Before LetFest actually began, we had some time for preparation with the American team, Czech team, and British team - it is so fun to come together from all parts of the world and share the love of our Savior as the link between all of us! During the first couple days of preparation, we had some time with teams and went to a carnival in town, played games, planned for the week, and then kicked off the start of LetFest with a concert! With all the excitement of LetFest, I ended up straining my voice and couldn't talk the night before the first day, and it was amazing that throughout the week of teaching, playing with the kids, doing a little translating, and talking all the time that I never fully lost my voice during the week! My team leader was a little concerned I would lose my voice even more by talking so much; however, I was pretty stubborn about not giving up talking and said "God has not taken my voice completely yet, and until that happens, I will continue to use the voice I have left for him."
Team bonding at the Carnival before LetFest
The topic for LetFest this year was "No Fear," with the theme surrounding Star Wars. Our afternoon seminars focused on the book of Joshua as the speakers talked about the courage within the beginning chapters of the book. Throughout the afternoon talks, there was usually about a dozen kids who would come and gather for the talks as well! One little girl who sat next to me each day was probably the most attentive listener and answered aloud all the rhetorical questions. I can see how God is working in the hearts of these children as they are learning all about his love for them through these seminars! During the last talk on Friday, the speaker shared the essential parts of the gospel and asked if anyone would like to commit their lives to Christ. Two kids I know well stood up to accept the invitation, and I was able to talk with one of the students afterwards about her decision. I started tearing up as she was telling me about her understanding of this new commitment - she really got it! Praise the Lord!
With some little friends
This year, a few of the American girls and I also taught an evening seminar about relationships (family, friends, dating, and a relationship with God). God truly led this seminar as we each shared our hearts about the topic and connected with much of the audience through our experiences. It was also exciting this year again as I got to share God's love with my English Class. Every year, we get gifts to give the kids at the end of the week, and each year, God gives me an idea of how to use the gift to share his love with the kids! This year we had bookmarks and pens to give the kids - so naturally we share the gospel by telling the students that God can write our story. We then ended the time on our last day of English Class by having a "mini-graduation" by calling the students up one-by-one and presenting them with the gift as well as their dictionary they wrote in all week!
The students with their dictionaries
I would have to say that this LetFest was my favorite one yet! Everything went so smoothly and I could really see how God was using the team of Christians to show his love to everyone who attended. It was evident also the amount of fun the kids had in English Class! There was one day a friend told me during the afternoon workshops he had overheard one of the kids say "When can we go back to English Class with Kendra? I like it there."
The Classroom
He enjoyed the empty sticker pages the most...
Showing the blanket they colored all week
With my wonderful translator
(If you would like to see a video of what English Class and LetFest was like with the kids, go to this link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkkMT_qv2bg - or find it on Facebook on the LetFest page or my page.)
One last amazing thing that happened at LetFest was that the mayor of the city came to the event! We are praising God for this because our team knows that the mayor in not exactly fond of Christians and does not always support the events we do with the youth. There are some people in the city who think we are forceful with our faith on the youth. However, this year about 100 leaders of the city got together and created a list of the things they would like to help within their city - this included things like repairing roads, giving to the school, updating the pool, etc. On the list of many things, our organization, Elim, was listed. It was then voted by the leaders of the city into the top 25 priority. Finally, Elim was voted out of the 25 things as the organization the city would like to help the most and begin investing in with over an 80% majority! The city then took this list to the schools in the city and asked the youth to vote on the top 25. I was told by some friends that the mayor came to them and said he would pay for their class trip if they voted for some other organization, but Elim still pulled way ahead of the other projects and organizations on the list!! The youth of the city know us and are showing they trust us - it is evident God is working in this city and changing hearts.
With friends at LetFest
When I think about all that has happened in just three weeks, I have to attribute it all to God! It was hard saying goodbye to my family three weeks ago in Minnesota - and it was again hard to say goodbye to my team two days ago in Prague, who became more like a family on this trip than I ever felt with a team before - but then I arrived at youth group on Friday night, and I was greeted by another family... more brothers and sisters in Christ! As about 20 of us sat together in a family style dinner, I realized how blessed I really am to have so many great friends and family around the world.
At youth group
We leave tomorrow already for Viking's Camp again! We have about 30 kids registered for this year's trip, and we extended the camp trip until Friday whereas in past years we have ended on Thursday. I am really looking forward to more time with all the kids, doing more Vikings adventures with them, and sharing the love of God with them along the way. Thanks for your prayers!