Wow, a lot to cover... hang on.
The mountain was actually a trip to see one of Kraljevo's oldest and most historic monasteries. It was incredible though. Our guide told us everything you could possibly want or need to know about the place and it was super photogenic. It was weird for us to think that the monastery was built 400-500 years before America was even seen by Columbus.
Yesterday we had the privilege of volunteering at an orphanage of sorts. It's not technically an orphanage but more a place where kids who are in abusive homes or whose parents can't support themselves can come and have a healthy place to live. There are several large homes with house parents who adopt anywhere from 1-8 children and live there in the "children's village" until the kids are old enough to leave and live on their own. We painted the wood and rails of each house then ate with the people who owned the place who gave us t-shirts for our work.
After that we packed up for camp and got here around 7p.m. The night was full of meeting the people who work here and getting familiar with the camp as much as we good without daylight. There are several people working here, all believers. There's a couple from Texas who are both fluent in Serbian, a college student from Alabama, a married couple from Serbia but the wife is originally from Vermont, a few pure Serbians and our leader, Darko who is mostly fluent in English as well. This is a huge relief for us because we didn't know how many other adults would be here with us, especially ones who spoke English.
We are about to have a meeting to discuss the plan of the camp and then prepare for the kids to arrive around noon or a little after.
I apologize for not updating sooner but we've been very busy and the places I've been able to update the internet has been either too weak to use or I simply haven't had enough time to write anything. We're all doing very well and are excited to start camp :) We're in charge of Rec but will be attaching ourselves to a group of kids for the most part and following them around almost like camp counselors. We will eat with them, sleep in their bunk houses, worship, study and walk with them to the bathroom. We will be around these kids for the next week attached at the hips so good conversation is definitely a huge goal of ours.
This camp is FOR learning about Christ so fruitful gospel discussions should be easier to get to. Please pray for solid relationships, hearts to serve, and a go-for-it attitude for all of us. I'll try to fill in more specifics as the week progresses but I honestly don't know how much free time I will have to update. Thank you so much again for your support. Prayer is going to be essential this week if we want to see lives changed.
We miss you all very much and can't wait to tell you all about our trip when we get back. There's so much to talk about, God's been very active so far :) It's weird thinking that we've only been here for a week. It feels like three.
I'll update as soon as I'm able!
The mountain was actually a trip to see one of Kraljevo's oldest and most historic monasteries. It was incredible though. Our guide told us everything you could possibly want or need to know about the place and it was super photogenic. It was weird for us to think that the monastery was built 400-500 years before America was even seen by Columbus.
Yesterday we had the privilege of volunteering at an orphanage of sorts. It's not technically an orphanage but more a place where kids who are in abusive homes or whose parents can't support themselves can come and have a healthy place to live. There are several large homes with house parents who adopt anywhere from 1-8 children and live there in the "children's village" until the kids are old enough to leave and live on their own. We painted the wood and rails of each house then ate with the people who owned the place who gave us t-shirts for our work.
After that we packed up for camp and got here around 7p.m. The night was full of meeting the people who work here and getting familiar with the camp as much as we good without daylight. There are several people working here, all believers. There's a couple from Texas who are both fluent in Serbian, a college student from Alabama, a married couple from Serbia but the wife is originally from Vermont, a few pure Serbians and our leader, Darko who is mostly fluent in English as well. This is a huge relief for us because we didn't know how many other adults would be here with us, especially ones who spoke English.
We are about to have a meeting to discuss the plan of the camp and then prepare for the kids to arrive around noon or a little after.
I apologize for not updating sooner but we've been very busy and the places I've been able to update the internet has been either too weak to use or I simply haven't had enough time to write anything. We're all doing very well and are excited to start camp :) We're in charge of Rec but will be attaching ourselves to a group of kids for the most part and following them around almost like camp counselors. We will eat with them, sleep in their bunk houses, worship, study and walk with them to the bathroom. We will be around these kids for the next week attached at the hips so good conversation is definitely a huge goal of ours.
This camp is FOR learning about Christ so fruitful gospel discussions should be easier to get to. Please pray for solid relationships, hearts to serve, and a go-for-it attitude for all of us. I'll try to fill in more specifics as the week progresses but I honestly don't know how much free time I will have to update. Thank you so much again for your support. Prayer is going to be essential this week if we want to see lives changed.
We miss you all very much and can't wait to tell you all about our trip when we get back. There's so much to talk about, God's been very active so far :) It's weird thinking that we've only been here for a week. It feels like three.
I'll update as soon as I'm able!
Awesome, what a great ministry to the children. How wonderful to watch them smile and see the love Jesus in you! Vanessa
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