"Miraculous Atmosphere"

     There was something extra special about this years English Club on Baikal.  Several people described the week as having a "miraculous atmosphere" and I would agree.  We are thankful for this week and for the continued relationships we've had with people in the weeks following.

Jean and Robyn, on the ride to Baikal

          All of us putting on the English Club on Baikal headed to the lake after church on Sunday.  It was a rainy day, and we were praying it wouldn't continue the whole time!  I enjoyed riding in the same van as Robyn, Jean, and Elianna from Idaho.  =)

Lots of helpers, preparing dinner for the first evening when campers arrived.

     Thankfully, the rain stopped right as campers began to arrive the next day.  And it stayed away the whole week!  The first evening we enjoyed meeting on the beach.  Each evening we had a time of singing songs, friends from the US sharing their testimonies, a Q and A time with pastor Sasha, awards from the days activities, and skits.

Andrew and Kate led everyone in morning exercises before breakfast.

Making bridges out of toothpicks and marshmallows

   

    The theme of our week was "Friendship" and we used the analogy of a bridge quite often.  In the mornings each day, we had discussion groups focused on friendship with people and the afternoon groups focused on a friendship with God.  They all were based off of passages from the Bible that we studied together.

Another bridge in another discussion group

Studying and discussing important topics while practicing English

The Beginner Group

One of the intermediate discussion groups, posing by this cool tree

  

We had several interesting trust activities that went along with our group lessons.

     After each morning's discussion group, we had breakout sessions.  Each person could choose where they wanted to go.  I led the skit group.  We prepared skits for the evening program.  Mostly kids came to my group, and they had a lot of fun.

     Robyn, Jean, and Elianna left a craft group.  This was one of the favorites, and people really got into their creations!

     Kathlene led a music group.  What joy all of us got out of seeing the joy of the people in this group each evening as they sang in our evening program!  They did an amazing job- you'd never guess they'd practiced earlier in the day for less than an hour!

     Andrew and Kate led the sports group.   Some people were able to try sports they'd never played before like American football.  They all had a great time! 

     After free time each afternoon Shawn led us in a group game time.  One day we divided into groups for a photo scavenger hunt.  The group Ella was in won!

We played many fun games!

Water games were among the favorites!

Water balloon volleyball

It was so nice that our kids could play the games, too.

    Having Grandma Irene at camp was wonderful!  She watched the kids, which was nice for everyone.  It was fun for them to be able to play and be free all day every day and to have Grandma close by.  It was special for Grandma to be with them, it was great for me to see them all happy, and Leif and I were also freed up to lead discussion groups and breakout sessions.  Yay!

The kids had many friends.  They played and played.

     The kids took turns staying in a tent with Grandma and staying in a tent with Leif and me.  =)

      The team brought in special games, balls, and activities for people to do during free time.  The kids enjoyed playing with a lot of them.  Ella and Sara enjoyed coloring some beautiful coloring books.

Anneka and Christina, playing "Go Nuts for Donuts!"

     There was this little area where the river connected into the lake.  The kids liked to jump off the bridge into the water.

Jean, talking with Victoria and Larisa

   

     I love how I would often look over and see people from our US team talking with people from camp.  It seems that everyone connected with someone in a special way.  I also was impressed how our friends from Idaho and Montana were ok to sleep in tents with other campers.  They were very flexible and opened their hearts and lives.

Stuart and Dima connected and spent time together after this week, too.

Nastia and Irene

     Adriana was our head cook at camp and she and her team were AMAZING!  They had to deal with many hurdles like moving the entire kitchen, having the generator break down (and all of the meat thaw), etc.  But they overcame the obstacles with a wonderful attitude, and everything tasted amazing.  Marius was the hero this night in inventing this great way to roast hotdogs for everyone.  Hotdogs always taste so good when camping!

Our first dining hall before we had to move

Enjoying meal time together!

We took turns doing dishes at each of our tables.

     Each morning Shawn led us in a time of prayer and sharing how we saw and experienced God at work.

    One of the highlights of the week was getting to hear several people's testimonies of how God has worked in their lives.  We had these times translated into Russian so that everyone could understand.  On this day Elianna shared her story.  It touched many peoples' hearts.  Elianne spent the first years of her life in Ukraine, and many people could relate with her in a very personal way.

     Eric has a unique story because he grew up here.  It was touching to hear how God has given him his identity.  It was also meaningful that Eric's childhood friend, Valya, was able to translate for him.  They made a dynamic team.

     The nice weather was a huge answer to prayer.  We hung out at the beach during our free time in the afternoon and enjoyed talking with one another.  There were some kind people from Davenport, WA, who made beautiful bracelets for us to give as gifts to people.  They have various colors that share the story of Jesus and how to know Him.  These ladies were proudly displaying their bracelets.

     This little hut on the beach is a banya (steam house).  We got hot and then ran into the cold lake. 

Getting some time with Mama Irene during free time

     Something special about this year was that we had a place to take showers!!  What a difference this made in the week!!  Leif went to help construct this building a few weeks before English Club on Baikal.

This was our "sink" for hand washing and brushing teeth

This cool bridge at the campsite fit right in with our theme of the Bridge of Friendship!  Our kids liked playing up on top.

     On the last night we roasted s'mores.  The Idaho team brought in marshmallows, graham crackers and Hershey's chocolate bars.  It truly was amazing all of the special things they brought from the States!  It is so special to share these tastes of home with friends here!

Zhenya and Marina put on a fireshow for everyone the last evening!

     Our amazing US team brought in t-shirts to give as prizes.  Everyone who learned the verse of the week (1 John 4:7-8) got a t-shirt before they headed home.  I think everyone did it!  It was a great motivation.  ;)

Sporting their new t-shirts

    It's easy to share the different parts of what we did during this week at Baikal, but it's harder to explain the amazing things that took place in people's hearts.  These were some of the things we heard people say...

· It seems like I’m getting a new heart with lots of love, kindness, compassion, and even patience.”

· “I now understand that the Bible is an important book that I want to begin reading and learning more about.”

· “God is real and the Bible is true”.

· “This week held a miraculous atmosphere”

· “ I can feel God coming into me, and he is nearer and nearer each day”.

     Since the camp, we continue to connect with people and see that changes are happening in their lives.  It is encouraging and exciting!

What a blessed week we had!  And the blessings continue....