We have had a great time, the past 2 1/2 weeks with the team from NavYouth Columbia. They will board the plane tonight as they begin their journey home. They will spend one overnight in Zurich and we only wish we could be stowaways for that leg, for sure. We have really had an amazing time as we have worked alongside them and as we have watched God do a work in each of their lives too. The English Camp (the first week) was a huge success with almost 20 young people in attendance. They did a taxi scavenger hunt and played ultimate Frisbee in the afternoons. The final day they were all treated to a lunch out where Grace shared her testimony (on her 16th birthday, no less) and Lindsey presented the plan of salvation. A side note, when we first moved to Columbia in 2000, Lindsey was 7 and she is Dick and Marti Stum's youngest daughter. Gaby had her first sleepover ever with Lindsey. It is very cool to see what God has done with her thus far. The camp was HUGE...there were about 70 in attendance (including the American team and our Cameroonian leaders). All things condsidered it went smoothly. The young Cameroonians seemed to really "get it" that service should be done out of love for God and not to please man. The two culminating events were a service project day and a special evening surprise by the American team. For the service project, we had one group at an orphanage, one group doing street ministry with homeless at the train station and one large group doing clean up at the Center for the Blind (as they prepared for their 25 anniversary celebration). We were proud to see them all get to work and to really apply what they had been learning. The surprise by the US team was a foot washing, but only for the US group to serve and wash the feet of the Cameroonians. God showed up in full force and many, many were touched, weeping and very ministered to. Was so sweet.
We are regrouping and will recover our house tomorrow. It has been a real joy to host them in our home for 12 of their 18 days. We need to just recover a bit. The next team arrives the 4th of August but only 4 will stay with us.
Sam has battled Impetigo this week, Gaby was treated for Malaria and is now fighting off an ear infection...oh the joys. We struggle a bit as we have dealt with more sickness this term than we did our first, but God is still God!! Amen
Gaby will take a second French placement test this Thursday and then we seriously have to get ready for the start of school, also the 4th of August.
Blessings, thanks for your prayers and we love you!!