All Good Blog Post Archive
Our team of volunteers went to the Czech Republic over the summer of 2022 and these are their thoughts leading up to, during, and after the trip.
Day 10 – August 3
As I think back over the days since my last blog post, two key skills pop into mind: flexibility and humility. As we came to Czechia, none of us know what to expect. There were many questions that we had that simply could not be answered until after we set foot in the Camp. Schedules and roles needed to be finalized, messages needed to be tuned, and most of all, we needed to reach out to students that we had never met. These were just the things that we knew about.
Day 9 – August 2
We are wrapping up day 3 of English camp right now, and one thing that struck me during the day’s activities was how similar the students are to me and my friends. When we first got to the Czech Republic, I thought that somehow the people here would be very different than the people back home. And they are, but not at all in the way that I originally thought…
Day 8 – August 1
The first full day of camp is almost over! I sit here writing this to you from my bunk during the evening festivities that commence after the evening program is finished. Today has flown by honestly, and I am afraid the next few days will fly by as well. I cannot emphasize enough that today was a rich day! We began with devotional time in the outdoor tent structure, led by Chris from the Life Point church. We then went to breakfast and began English classes.
Day 7 – July 31
The love of God is a strange and wonderful thing. It softens hearts, it heals wounds, it changes lives forever. I have been contemplating the depth of God’s love for all of us this morning as we prepare for our first full day of teaching. Around me, the camp is still. Rain falls gently, but steadily outside, and through the window in front of me, a slender tree drips and shimmers gently in the morning breeze. The manicured lawns have burst forth in renewed greenness, refreshed by the life-giving water.
Day 6 – July 30
Today I write to you from the porch of one of the cabins at the Christian Academy for Youth retreat center in Malenovice. The sun rose almost two hours ago but the camp is quiet except for the occasional twittering of birds and the distant sound of cars on the highway. It is a perfect time to reflect on where God has brought us and pray for the upcoming day.
Day 5 – July 29
Ahoy! Today was a huge day! After beginning the day with an FBC team check-in for breakfast. We resumed yesterday’s training, going over how to lead discussion groups, build into discipleship relationships well, and follow and enforce the rules at camp. Today has been such a powerful testimony of the movement of God among Czech youth…
Day 4 – July 28
I’m praising God for a good night sleep! Yesterday we had the first of two all-day training sessions. The topics were varied and included: learning the camp dance, how to speak with an interpreter, how to share the gospel and your testimony with the Czech students, and Czech history and culture, etc..
Day 3 – July 27
When I first woke, my phone clock silently announced 1:45am from its faint, bleary screen. There were only faint stirrings from David and Caleb from the other beds. For a moment, I envied their ability to capture the slumber that was eluding me…
Day 2 – July 26
Annnndddddd touchdown!!! Ladies & gentlemen, we are here! Thanks so much for praying! All bags & people arrived safely, and we met up with the combined two groups that will be here in Prague for the next couple days prepping for camp! Praise God for providing for the countless travel details.
Day 1 – July 25
Today started out with excitement: the adrenaline of alarms going off, last minute packing, and a short drive to the church. The entire team gathered in the parking lot for prayer and last farewells followed by a ride to the airport in the big white (and rusty) Sandy van.