#centralcamp

After training finished, we traveled to Neveklov (near Prague), where Central Camp would take place. 

Students arrived on Saturday afternoon, and we had our first main event that evening. The entire week was high-energy and tons of fun. But in the midst of the business and the activity, students were given opportunities to reflect on what they had heard during camp, and many spiritual conversations took place.

And here goes my effort to capture Czech Fusion Central Camp in one blog post.

Typical Daily Schedule:

7:30 - Team meeting (where all of the leaders met, sang, and prayed for the day) 8:00 - Breakfast 9:00 - Morning program (consisting of a few songs, a testimony, and some announcements) 9:45 - Choir Rehearsal 11:15 - Workshop I 1:00 - Lunch 2:00 - Sports/Games 4:15 - Workshop II 5:30 - Dinner 7:00 - Evening program (several songs, a testimony, and a message) 9:00 - Optional evening activity

Each student chose two workshops to take, and they were all required to be part of choir. I taught drama, which was in the second workshop session and during the first workshop session, I took my friend Filip's electric guitar workshop.

Some of the days were structured differently--for example, after lunch on Monday, we left for an Amazing Race-type adventure that took us on a long hike throughout the hills surrounding Neveklov. 

The Concert

Workshops and choir rehearsals throughout the week had two goals: to build relationships with students and to prepare them to perform in the final concert, which happened on Saturday.

Throughout the week and especially during the concert, I was blown away by how talented Czechs are. I was impressed that, after a week of workshops, students were able to accompany the choir with an instrument they had never touched before. Also, the kids in my drama workshop were fabulous at what they did. I appreciated that the students were excited about their workshops, and even put in extra work during free time if they were having difficulties with a part. Through this week, I have seen a commitment to excellence that seems to be integral in their culture as a whole.

Relationships

Yes, there is a language barrier between myself and the students. Yes, that proved difficult at times. But I also learned that it is possible to build relationships without saying many words. Throughout this camp, I learned about how effective it can be to show Christ’s love instead of just talk about it. Many of the students who came to camp are from broken homes where they are never shown true love, and most of their teachers at school practice shame-based motivation. To be told of God’s perfect, sacrificial, unconditional love is revolutionary for their lives, especially if they can see that love lived out through His followers. And I got to do that this week. I certainly didn’t do it perfectly—camp is exhausting and I had moments where I acted unlovingly towards those around me. However, it was (and continues to be) my prayer that the Holy Spirit would work through me, empowering me to demonstrate His radical love.

God is Working

Many students who would have called themselves atheists before camp were starting to consider spiritual things by the end of the week. Although only a few students professed faith in Christ as a result of camp, God is definitely working. We’ve been told that it may take a Czech many years from the first time that they hear the gospel to the day that they actually respond to it. For some, this may be discouraging, but I personally appreciate it. It shows that the students take spiritual things very seriously, and don’t just “make a decision” based on emotion.

What’s Next?