Apologies for the slight delay in updating the blog, we've been going solidly with the camp all this week and today is the last day. We have about 21 teenagers in total, and have been doing a wide variety of activities in the sweltering heat of about 33°C+. Everything has been running incredibly smoothly and the atmosphere is extremely positive.
Some highlights of this week have been baseball and American football lessons from Eric who plays for the Bologna Warriors, as well as aerobics. Tuesday afternoon saw everyone leave to go to the swimming pool in the nearby town of Ozzano dell'Emilia, where although there were some menacing thunderclouds, we all had great time once the sun finally did emerge.
Each day from 2:00-3:30 the kids have had English lessons based on the themes of the texts from Revelation – keys, books, money, robes etc. This has lead to some valuable discussions with the teenagers about what they have heard and how their preconceptions and misconceptions fit with the story of the Bible. These conversations have been fantastic and everyone is engaging fully.
A really cool thing that has been going on every other day this week has been what is called the 'Tourneo del gabbione' or Cage. This is where some of the team from Wheaton, IL have gone to the local park and set up a cage which you can play football. They also have been performing a very powerful mime which is designed to communicate the saving work of Jesus through music and actions. The overall idea is to attract local kids to come and play and watch, so that they might have a taste of the gospel and come and join Exch@nge.
One more thing to say is that we have been eating like royalty, albeit mostly pasta, and that has helped us through the very busy days.
Some prayer points for the next few days:
- Please praise God for what has been a really fun week
- Smooth running of everything and lively, happy atmosphere
- Good conversations and big crowds watching the mime
- Please pray for the use of the cage and mime on-site today, as the parents of the kids come and see too
- For lots of people to come to the celebration service on Sunday and that the evangelistic message would work powerfully in the hearts of the parents and teenagers
- For strength and energy for the team in the last few days
Check back soon...
Don Pedro, The Japester, and our beloved Bologna Warriors,
ReplyDeleteIt all sounds fantastic! Keep sharing that gospel - was reminded recently in 2 Timothy that it brings life and immortality - so it's well worth it! Do you think we should invest in a football cage for MYC? It sounds a bit like WWF, but it might add a certain zing to the Hill-Bailey ragball match. We're praying for you back at HQ. Hope the last few days are packed full of good opportunities. Durham is currently a rainy 17 degrees, so enjoy soaking up those rays while you can!
Yours,
Sam