WE GOT INTERNET (last day of camp!)

NOTE FROM LIEF: Well - we finally found a way to post some notes up here. We hope it's not too late and we've lost you all from following us! Not only was it almost impossible to find a way to get online, and still is the slowest internet I've ever used (we are REALLY in the middle of nowhere - perfect for camp, tough for communication and transportation), we also have seriously been so BUSY, it's been hard to keep up on our promise to write on our microsoft word blog every day too). In a few words - camp has been amazing. The students have been willing, patient, and available servants. They have taken challenges (which have actually been many) in stride and made many sacrifices for the sake of the camp and our mission here. I am proud of and to be part of this group - and I look forward to the opportunity to digest and work through our experience here this next week before returning home on Friday. As for today - we are in the midst of our last full day at camp. This morning we finished our last English classes (they have been 2 hours each morning - our 18 students have been the primary teachers and have done INCREDIBLY WELL. For many, English classes are a highlight of the day). Now after lunch, we have free time and all kinds of tie-dying - I am now looking at 70-80 Romanians getting crazy and excited with dyes and loving their creations. Tonight, we will have our final program. We start out really fun crowbreakers and games, camp songs with motions (they ALL love doing motions to music), worship (in Romaneste & Englaza and led by Daniel, Zack, Brooke!, Malachi, and Luke), the Story of God (our final part tonight - the death and resurrection of Christ), Nate will then share his testimony and how John 14 has changed his life (pray for him - I know he will be bold and persuasive), and 8 American and Romanians will come together for a drama pantomime showing God's victory over sin (Brenda, Lauren, Malachi, Maren, Brianna, Charlie, Stefi, and Tony - we're working on this now, 6 feet away from me - please pray that our short prep time still produces a very moving and impactful experience for tonight. We have our last small groups - very important, then the bonfire and a night with no curfew - I know we are pretty crazy. The sleep deprived take a night without sleep. Eh, it's so worth it. I wish I could write more - but I'm going to help with the drama. We miss you all, but please know that God is doing some pretty incredible things in and through this group (both the Americans and Romanians we have learned so much from). This time has been such an awesome blessing - God's goodness and glory is so evident to our team. My prayer is that our team clings to Him as we attempt to finish camp strong. We've got some days of rest, recovery, contemplation, and sharing ahead. For today and tomorrow - we'll take JR's advice - Carpe Diem.

Now - a couple blogs that were actually written. With love and gratitude - Lief

Written by Lauren on Wednesday - the second day of camp-
Hey all! It’s Lauren here. Just for the quick update, we’ve all arrived safely at camp and are really excited to see what will happen this week. I can’t remember if someone already blogged about this, but two days ago we went to the gypsy market. It was really sweet but we had to be careful not to speak English or act interested in anything we wanted to buy because the sellers would’ve raised the prices by a lot and tricked us. By the way, we’re at breakfast right now and everyone would like to give a shoutout to Lizzy-we’re eating hot dogs for breakfast..where’s the honey? Hahaha Also- Abby, as usual, we have delicious bread. Speaking of eating, that night we went to a Romanian restaurant and without even realizing it Dani ate pig brain! It was a nice little surprise when she found out the next day. Tuesday night we took an overnight bus ride to Craiova in a big bus and three small ones. Some people got lots of sleep (Lief- with the help of a big fat sleeping pill), but some of us weren’t as lucky. Cassidy and I ended up being the only Americans on our bus and since we had the big bus, once we reached the beginning of the rough mountain road, our bus driver refused to drive us up. We waited at a little general store type thing for about 5 hours because one of the buses was going to come back and pick us up, but after the one of the three broke down and the other two had a very bumpy ride to say the least, the busdrivers weren’t in the mood to take the trip again. You’ll never guess what all of us did- and it was about 50 of us by the way. Daniel called someone to pick us up, and a big green dump truck pulled up! After lifting all of our luggage into the truck we all climbed in and took a narrow and bumpy path up the mountain for about 2 hours. Every time there were branches that could hit us in the face, Danutz (one of the campers) blew a whistle and we ducked. When we pulled up to camp (2 hours later!) in the dump truck everyone ran to see us, cheering and clapping, and they helped us unpack our bags. Sorry mom, the suitcase got a little sandy. Anyways, everyone played games and hung out until dinner. One game some of the Romanians played was a game basically like volleyball except there are two teams of three on either side of a volleyball net and you can pretty much only hit the ball with your head. It was fun to watch . Last night our session went great and we broke up into small groups and had some deep and meaningful talks. I think most of us wanted to go to bed afterwards and I’m not sure about anyone else but I PASSED OUT in like 5 minutes.
Anyways, right now it’s a beautiful morning and I should stop writing but thanks for reading and we miss you all at home.
As for shoutouts…
Morgan- I bought you and Abby a little something at the gypsy market and I’m excited to give it to you! Love and miss you! Tell Scott I say hi, and don’t let Mason play too much Nazi Zombies.
Amy, Aubrey, Megan, and Mollie from Cassidy – I miss and love you all. I can’t wait to see you all when we get back. Te iubesc!
Larry and Pat to Audra and April- Be sure to clean up after your parties.

Bye for now!



Written by Matt on Friday the fourth day of camp-

Hello from Romania!!

Its Matt here just wanted to get my blog post in. I am writing from the camp. Its free time and dinner is very soon. The food has been pretty interesting. I don’t think I have eaten this much bread in 1 week in my life (though some people really like it!). Camp has been really great. Teaching English has been really enjoyable. Yesterday we played water games during game time. Everyone had a great time getting wet and muddy playing “Steal the Bacon”. It’s Friday so we only have 1 more day at camp. The campers leave Sunday morning and we are going to have a day retreat with Daniel and his team on Sunday. We will leave from here on Monday at around 1 pm (5 am Madison Time) and are hoping to get to Budapest early Monday evening. I am really looking forward to the rest of the trip. I have had an amazing time so far but it will nice to finally be home and get some non-bread related food . I hope everything is well on the home front and the Cubs are losing, and the brew crew hopefully are in first place.

Shoutouts-


Pankratz Family - I miss you. I’ve loved getting all your packages and notes. Not everyone is as lucky as me…:). Have fun at the reunion!

Brooke’s Family - Don’t worry I’m still alive!! Haha. I love you all and miss you. I can’t wait to give you all big hugs! =) You won’t believe it, but I sang in front of EVERYONE last night. It was scary but amazing afterwards. See you all soon, Love, Brooke

Stevens Clan - Hey! I feel like its been forever since I have seen any of you! I’m having such a great time, and I am excited for the rest of it. See you the 31st! Worship is going good, aand we are building some pretty great relationships… Love, Zack oh, and P.S. I hope the Sweeney Family reunion is going/ or was good. I’m starting to lose track of the days :] Sorry! Oh and one more thing. Mom or Dad. Can you call into work and tell them the dates we are going to be in the dells right after I get back? I don’t want to have to switch if Derek schedules me for the day after I get back. Thanks :]

Tolly Family – Hope everything is well. I am safe so don’t worry. I’ll take plenty of pictures on debrief.

Maus and Morgan/Abby - Time is going so fast here and I’m gonna be really sad when this is over. I’ll be happy to see all of you though! Morgan and Abby you would probably enjoy the meals here.. lots of bread and strange cheese…

Niemeyers - Hey everybody just wanted to let you know that I’m having a great time on this trip. The food is definitely a low according to me, but other than that I’m feeling good and I’m doing fine. I hope you weren’t serious when you said my drivers test was postponed, cause that would just be depressing. Anyways, I’ll see you guys in a week or so. Hope you guys are doing good.

Liefy to Emi – 20 of 26 – almost there! Miss you beautiful.