It also probably helped all my translators out a lot so that no one was solely translating all the week, but they each took turns as I joined their team. However, I was impressed this year with the amount of Czech that I was able to understand without translation! Yet, there was one time my translators and I had to laugh.
Here's what happened ---
One team created a game between the remaining teams that the competitors would spin a number of times and then use our Vikings swords (made of sticks wrapped in foam "pool" noodles) to battle each other. This is what I understood.
"spin around 20 times... grab the sword... and against the other team... and... spider? Did he say spider? Oh! He said it again! I know this word is "spider"... so the first team to find a spider after spinning and holding their sword wins?"
I figured there was something I was not getting, so I asked a nearby translator who - after erupting in laughter - explained that they use the word "spider" as slang to describe a tournament bracket because it resembles a web! Later in the evening, this translator and I were sitting by the campfire when we both saw a "Daddy-Longlegs" spider near us. We both began laughing again as I declared our team the winners of the nonexistent "Spider Finding Challenge!"
Camp Sunset
There are so many parts of camp that I enjoy, but one of my all-time favorite moments are the evenings around the campfire. During this time, we get to share our personal testimonies and stories about Jesus' love with the kids. As the evening dusk descends, the light of the campfire reminds me how our team gets to be a light in this nation.
One evening, I had a short campfire talk. I had been given these "story bracelets" that go through the different colors in the gospel story. As I was preparing this talk, God gave me a way to connect the colors not only to the gospel, but also to the life of the Vikings. The talk simultaneously shared God's love and the revival of the Vikings. Many Minnesotans may know a bit about the history of the Vikings, but as I researched it a little more, there was one piece of information that I knew God led me to find to use in the talk. The ancient Vikings used the word "SKOL" as a battle cry (many Minnesotans still use this during football games). Some scholars believe that SKOL meant "skull" and it was a battle cry meaning death because the Vikings would decapitate their enemies and then use their skulls as chalices. After the Vikings became Christians and stopped killing people, they stopped using SKOL as a battle cry, but instead began using the word when they would meet with friends and give cheers with their drinks (because they were using chalices) - except now, the word meant "good health and life!" When we have God in our lives, our lives become like the word SKOL - our purpose and life meaning goes from death to life. The kids were all excited about the bracelets and eagerly tied them to their wrists. I pray that God will use these bracelets as a reminder in their lives to understand God's sacrifice and the Viking revival.
While our number of club girls is usually lower than the boys, it was definitely evident during camp week. However, this allowed us to really get to know each other and spend lots of time together. By the end of the four days, one little girl who I hadn't met before (she's a cousin of another camper) gave me multiple hugs as we packed up the camp and promised to stay connected. God has a way of creating quick friendships to demonstrate His love.
So many memories were packed into four days! Each year, I look forward to the next Vikings Camp, and this year is no exception.
This is the traditional pose for Czech students to take school pictures - which is kind of humorous as it is very organized and structured, which is definitely NOT a representation of these kids at camp! ;)
Watch a short video of Vikings Camp here! (Mostly free-time in the water as it was pretty hot during the camp days.)
Our church in Letovice is going through some transitions as our current pastor has left to begin preaching in another church. We will all miss him at our church as it was evident how God was using him to touch our congregation and reach between young and old generations in his speaking. Yet, we are very excited for this new calling in his life to begin preaching at this new church! God is clearly using him in mighty ways to lead. Our church has not yet received a new pastor to fill the place, so please pray as the elders continue seeking and praying for the right fit.
Church Picture on Pastor's Final Sunday