Czech Mate Ministries International

Ken and Linda Stapleton's news site. Send tax deductible contributions to; CMMI, PO Box 46068, Seattle, WA 98146

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Location: Liberec/Seattle, United States

are missionaries living in the Czech Republic since 1997. Their support comes from individuals and churches in the United States and the Czech Republic. Send tax deductible contributions to; CMMI, PO Box 46068, Seattle, WA 98146

Thursday, September 12, 2013

LIBEREC ENGLISH CAMP 2013

After months of preparation and meetings the time for English Camp finally arrived.  Ken's first assignment was to drive our car and pull the trailer that contained all the supplies for camp.  Anyone who's driven in Czech knows that is not an easy task - no freeways between Liberec and camp, only narrow, twisting roads.  (For some reason Czechs don't seem to like straight lines!)


 
There were 65 people at camp:  50 teens between 14-20 years old, 23 were not-yet-believers, 4 Americans from California (Tim, Luke, Candace and Andie), 2 missionary couples who live in the Czech Republic, (Wes and Sheri Stafford and Ken and Linda Stapleton) and Czech staff from the JB Liberec Church Youth Group.  The theme for this year's camp was Time Travel.  We lived in the future and had to go back in time to find something that we needed in order to survive.  Each day we traveled to a different place and time: The discovery of America, the Titanic, Rome, The Industrial Revolution and the American Civil War.
 Introduction to English Camp:  Do you have what it takes to save the world?  We must travel back in time and acquire certain things that will ensure our survival.  Are you ready?
Tim and Wes pass the test with flying colors.

In the morning we were divided into 5 English groups for 2 hours of English practice.  In the afternoon we played elaborate games based on the day's theme.  And in the evening we had a club meeting ending with a message on some important topic followed by breaking into small groups for deeper discussion.  On Titanic Day the evening topic was facing unexpected challenges and Linda shared about her battle with cancer and how important her faith in Jesus was to help her get through this difficult time.  On the last evening, Tim played the guitar and Andie sang Amazing Grace (a song written by a former slave-ship captain) and brought down the house, some teens had tears in their eyes.  
     

We can't thank enough the team that came from Westminster Foursquare Church to help us with the English and camp.  They put their heart and soul into every activity and kept up with this lively group of teens even though it meant bruises, sore muscles and lack of sleep.  Also, thanks to Wes and Sheri Stafford, another American missionary couple who have recently moved to the Czech Republic and live in east Bohemia. 
 Sheri and Wes Stafford and Andie, Candace and Tim

Tim and Luke help lead the camp song during the evening meeting

What stood out for us this year was the excellent atmosphere of the camp - one of peace, acceptance and inclusion. Besides the religious differences there were teens from many different towns and churches, not just Liberec, but there was no breaking into cliques as so often happens with teens.  Everyone interacted and encouraged each other.  The yet-to-believe teens observed and listened carefully and the believing teens were willing and eager to minister.  Some teens who often stayed in the shadows, took leadership positions. This year's English Camp was truly an integrated, wholesome place to share our lives and faith in a natural way.  We are excited to see the fruit, hopefully in the near future...
   

One of the tasks was to compose words to a sailor's tune.  The winning group added dance to the song. Indian Linda greeted each team as they arrived in America and invited them to eat breakfast after their long journey to America. 
On Titanic Day Ken compares muscles with Popeye (Molny is youth leader in Liberec and the Director of the English Camp)
 HAIL CAESAR
Rome was known for its brutal sports.  Everyone was looking forward to the Brutal Games.
One brutal game was for the boys to lock bodies and for the girls to pull them apart. 
 GO GIRLS!  Only 2 left!
 VICTORY for the girls.  DEFEAT for the boys.
and DEATH for Caesar.

 Linda's English Group
Ken's English Group


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