My Refuge & Strength

Yes, I am aware of how goshdarn late this is! Really, it’s a crime. I am very sorry for the delay. During the last few days of the trip, I didn’t really have time to write - just little snippits here and there - and since I’ve come back, I haven’t really had time to write either! Well time, and patience. One of the many things on my “Need to Improve” list. SO… without further adieu, here they are! Finally! The last days in the Czech Republic!

——————————

Day 12 (Friday)

Bittersweet. Eight parts bitter, two parts sweet. That’s about the recipe for my feelings right now.

Now, I normally don’t like being away from home for too long, mostly because I like the comfort that comes with it. And let me tell you, I most definitely am outside of my comfort zone here (as day 9 showed). But despite being so stinking far from home, I do not want to leave. Even the weeks I’ve spent at Hume and Wildwood can’t compare to how desperately I long to stay here.

During our morning meeting, everyone had the chance to share what they’ve experienced over the week or, more specifically, last night. I mean, I know that I had a great night last night, but hearing how God worked in others as well just added to my joy. God is alive, He is real, and He is visibly molding these wonderful people’s hearts. Is that amazing? Or is that amazing?

For our last English class, we went through different emotions, which turned out to be extremely similar to the personalities we went over the first day. Except now we really knew each other and felt more comfortable getting goofy with each other. The whole class performed the Czech version of Cinderella for me (which includes magical nuts, a father who’s not dead, and three different dresses), first in three minutes, then in two minutes, then in one minute, then in thirty seconds, then in five seconds, then in one second. I nearly peed my pants.

Afterwards, instead of sports, our whole camp put on a talent show – and it was probably the worst talent show ever, which made it all the better! First, our team of Americans and Czech leaders performed a pretty awful skit/song based on the Baby Shark camp song – if any of you happen to know that song. And because our audience loved it so much, the recorded it! You can see it in all its glory here (if you’re my friend). Then later, Annie, Eli, & I all performed our own version of Oo De Lally (Robin Hood, people). Thankfully no one recorded that. Everyone else’s acts were pretty enjoyable. One had Jim laughing for a good five minutes, which made us all laugh for a good five minutes. Good times, good times.

The winning skit! (There were two boys behind them under the sheets being their arms!)

During evening program, I actually got the chance to share my story with the camp. Hearing it said back in Czech was pretty crazy, I must say. But overall, I’m really glad that I did it because a couple of people came up to me afterwards and said that their story was very similar to mine and it meant a lot to them to hear someone else share their same struggles. I love it when I hear things like that. They’re so encouraging.

Sharing my story, with the help of Jenda! Who needs shoes?

Face painting during discussion groups!

And to add to my encouragement, it was the last day of our word group. Jon had said earlier in the week that the last day would be a little different from the others, but I don’t think any of us had expected what he was going to say. “This time, we’re each going to give each other our own word for them.” Instead of coming up with a word of our own to describe our day, our fellow group members were going to give us a word they thought we would like. It could be something they thought summed us up as a person, something they saw in us over the week, or just something really out-of-the-blue. We went all around the circle, giving words to each other, until they came to me. First, Jon gave me the word, “growth” because he saw a lot of that in me over the week. Then, Martina gave me the word, “cheer” because she sees a lot of happiness and joy in me, which really says a lot about where I’m at and where I’ve been. And Miriam (who had said earlier in the week that she didn’t understand why she needed God) gave me the word, “fulfill.”

“I’m not sure if this is the right word… But your life is just - fulfill. So full of purpose that is obvious from God.”

Wow. I think that might’ve been the most meaningful thing anyone has ever said to me. What a cool experience. I’m so glad I was able to be a part of it.

And now it’s 3 in the morning and I’m writing cards to the interns, who will be leaving first thing in the morning. But I’m not going to think about that now. Nope. I am happy. I am loving life. And I am pretty delirious right now. Did you know that Eli used to paint Lord of the Rings figurines? And that Annie used to purposefully bang her head against walls? This is what happens when we are all really out of it.

(Ug, I feel like I should share an embarrassing childhood fact about myself because I shared theirs… I broke into my neighbor’s house because I thought he was a vampire on my ninth birthday. Worst birthday ever.)