Emek Beraka and other adventures

Soooo.....I'm finally back to civilization. And contrary to popular belief I am NOT dead. Thank goodness for small favors.

For the past week (the 14th-21st) I was at a camp called Emek Beraka. This is a camp that is really a unification of a lot of the churches around Bosnia. And if it weren't for that, the camp just really wouldn't have a chance just because 'camp' is just culturally foreign to Bosnians. And basically what was done in that week was to prepare the camp for the adult, child, teen, and family camps which will be taking place over the next 6 weeks. So there was a lot of physical labor but also A LOT of praying and just a lot of fellowship. I must say, camp was probably one of the best experiences I've ever had, to put it simply. God was overwhelmingly present the whole week and I know I've made friends that will last a lifetime. So the camp is in Herzegovina and the scenery is just breathtaking. It was quite amazing how hot it could get during the day yet by the time night fell it would be around 40 to 50 degrees. So funny little side note, when deciding if you want to go into the Herzigovinian forests/wilderness be prepared to look out for these things: stinging nettles (which I can personally testify that stinging is an understatement), scorpions (yes, scorpions), and poisonous snakes. Luckily I didn't have a run-in with the last two.

So the camp is by a lake, Boracko Jezero (Boracko Lake). And of course just as everything else in BiH, it too was beautiful. Although I didn't really enjoy the elderly in speedos and bikinis...ew. It was a lot of fun to just hang by the lake, swimming, sunbathing, and drinking coffee. You know you've been in Bosnia enough when one, you've had about four cups of coffee a day and two, you drink it regardless of the fact that its 90 degrees outside.

Well, the week passed and the work was pretty much finished on time, with only minor mishaps. So on Friday, Saturday, and part of Sunday of that week was prayer camp. And its pretty self explanatory but we just prayed for the people that would be coming to the camps and the full time team. A team from Fredricksburg, VA came to the camp. (I actually got culture shock from the Americans, it was crazy) They've been coming to BiH for a couple of years. Their main purpose is just praying over people and things. Its a very...charismatic group. If you want to know more, see me ;) But really they are great people, and it was a great kick-off to the camps. So for prayer camp weekend we had morning, afternoon, and evening sermons. And throughout the night was a prayer chain, so we had to get up at crazy hours and go and pray for the camp. (Needless to say it was pouring rain...but that didn't get us down!)

So, that was camp! I don't know if I really explained too well, so if you have questions just ask. Well, after that you think we would come back and have a day or two of rest. Hah! Ne, ne, ne. The day after I got back I rode on a bus with my AWEsome new friends Jessica and Alba (yeah, Jessica Alba ha ha ha...) Anywho! We rode out to Breza, which is pretty much the smallest town ever but its still awesome. And we hung out with some folks out there at the church. We played connect four and watched movies. (One of them being Juno...Adi, I can't get away from it!) So we came back from that and immediately went to the Malta church to help part of the Fredricksburg team paint the sanctuary. Which I can now say is finished...and looks the same. But not as dirty, which is good!

So, funny story. Petula was the cook the whole week of camp, and needless to say by the time the week ended she did not want to cook anything else, ever. Well, you can guess what happened. She has ended up having to cook for the American team for the last few days after being adamantly reassured by some of the church staff that should would not (and could not) be allowed to cook for them. So we've spent the last few days helping up at the church. Honestly, this has opened my eyes to how much work a team really is. It is CRAZY!

Whew...recalling all these adventures has almost been as much work as going through them! Honestly, I can't even describe how amazing it has been here. God has been so good. I can tell that He is moving and working in BiH. That He has risen up strong leaders and given them great visions. I feel so blessed to be able to be a part of everything going on here, if only for a short time. Bosnia is a part of my heart. I strongly hope to return next year to be a part of the full time team at camp. So, if you could please be praying that God would reveal if that is something I should be pursuing or not. Well, I will leave you with some pictures :)

<-- Kitchen/storage place

<--Boracko Jezero




<-- Hanging out in the kitchen. From left to right: Petula, Elvis, I don't know.., Stiv, Mirela)



<-- Hanging out at a festivle a couple miles from the camp. From left to right: Remi, Eldina, Elvis, me)