Mission Trip Dates

June 29-July 14, 2012

Monday, July 9, 2012

Zakopane and Paren'ts Visit

July 8, 2012

For some of us, Zakopane is a repeat trip. Let me back up some. Zakopane  (Zahk-O-Pah-Neh) is a touristry town tucked in the Tatry mountains along the Slovakian border. Very reminiscent of Gatlinburg - Pigeon Forge, Tennessee area: mountain culture, shops and ski lift. Quaint, can be tacky, is really fun. We spent part of the day there as a break from the camp while the students were with their parents. I know, I know, how could we POSSIBLY need a break from 43 'tweens, games, English lessons, etc, etc, etc? Well, this is a nice change of pace.

After the hour long ride home, we were ready for family day and the big Lorax presentation in which all of the kids had some reading parts to go along with a slide show of the Dr Seuss classic. Though the room was stuffy (No A/C here in Poland), the parents were appreciative of the kids' efforts. Then the kids sang 4 songs along to music played on the computer, followed by a rendition of "Sweetly Broken" by Randaliscious, the greatest sensation since Tom Jones. Afterward, there were 2 competitions of games between the parents and kids (parents skunked the kids 2-0). Then there was a bon fire over which kids, parents and team leaders roasted fresh sausages, bread and apples. Feast time for sure.

We're moving into the second week, and I for sure am interested to see the progress made by our level one students. It's hard to tell sometimes how well they're picking things up, but on occasion, they'll surprise me with a phrase out of the blue. I feel as though this time for me in particular, I've got a better sense of what this mission is all about: connecting with children, being able to show a side of God and Christ that they maybe have never seen before, gaining as much as I give.  

Randy

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