Ok, so it wasn't exactly like that. There was this whole complicated legend the children's camp was re-living. Our part came when they had to capture the sword of the neighboring kingdom. We were the dark knights who were trying to protect the sword. So, we hid in the pitch black pine forest and laid in wait for the children to arrive with their wooden shields and swords. Then we jumped out and a ferocious battle ensued, with exploding firecrackers, swordfights, tiki torch lanterns, and the like. We must say, it was pretty wild to say the least. Actually it was total pandamonium. Every 10 year-old's dream!
Of course the battle was pre-scripted so that after the 2nd 10-minute skirmish the children won and we had to flee through the trees with the children in pursuit. With the pitch darkness of the forest, the thick smoke of 25 minutes of firecrackers and burned out tiki lanterns, this proved quite challenging. Fortunately for us, the children had been instructed that they were not to hit us in the head with their swords. Phil's wooden stick (sword) was used purely defensively we assure you!
Those of us who made it back to camp (some of our youth were taken prisoner we think) were rewarded with a bonfire where we roasted sausages. No s'mores here. In the Czech Republic campfires are for large cuts of meat! Especially after fighting hoards of enemy knights.
Camp ended the next day with a series of powerful testimonials from the youth. We were deeply moved by conversations we had with some of the youth and young adults. God was clearly present in this place. It was a privilege to be welcomed here and to be able to contribute to the teaching and mentoring of these awesome youth.
While language has been a barrier, there have been times when the barrier actually turned into a blessing. Sometimes a silent prayer offered with a hand on the shoulder of a crying youth is more valuable than any words we could have offered. When Phil was counseling a young lady who was sharing some deep struggles she was facing in her life, the need for translation slowed the conversation to half speed. This allowed/required Phil to truly listen, and gave him time to prayerfully consider his responses. Surely there is a lesson in this. The scriptures call us to be quick to listen and slow to speak (James 1:19). Living this out was a powerful case study for Phil that he won't soon forget, even as he works with people in his own language. So much so, in fact, that it caused Phil to wonder if this one conversation was perhaps the reason God called him to the Czech Republic this summer.
Our return to Tachov was uneventful, and allowed Phil an opportunity to contemplate his sermon for this morning. Teresa and the boys noted that the sermon sounded suspiciously similar to what they had heard from Phil during the week at youth camp. Impossible! It was a small congregation this morning, as Pastor Milan and several other congregation members had headed to Vacation Bible School Camp. With Phil covering the sermon this morning, and a series of English classes we are holding this week, we are needed back in Tachov. Next week Bicycle Camp starts, so more devotions also need to be written.
Today ended with a short football (soccer) game that Daniel and Phil were invited to participate in by some congregation members. Phil was very proud of Daniel, who played well and demonstrated many of the skills he has been learning in Sterling. After one and a half hours, as we were both preparing to die of exhaustion, everyone finally headed for the sidelines. Unfortunately it turned out that was only half time. Another hour of play followed. We will sleep well tonight.
Some pictures:
Phil preaching again at youth camp:
Eric building a cross:
Daniel peeling potatoes at youth camp:
One handsome dark knight:
After the skirmish at the fire pit:
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