Monday was the first day we arrived at camp at here in Skorponeria. The camp here is absolutely the most amazing camp I have ever seen! It sets in between hills where wild goats and cats roam. The goats wear bells so we can always hear where they are. It’s cute. We walked around the camp and observed all the attractions. The camp has a rock climbing wall, trampoline, volleyball, basketball, archery, soccer, canoes, boats, seadoos, and inner tubes. We all couldn’t believe we were here and how much fun we were going to have! After dinner we had a service where Pastor Ryan spoke about the flame of destiny. He called up those who were struggling with forgiveness and confessing an untold struggle. The entire camp of youth went up but 2. Wow! We all went up and prayed over them. You could hear the sound of breakthrough coming forth out of their hearts. It was beautiful. The kids here are unlike any youth we have ever met. Their desire and maturity in Christ is so inspiring. They know. They understand what it is like to die to themselves and live in Christ. They are living it. I’ve heard them saying they didn’t come to play games and have a good time, although that would probably happen, they are here to learn and grow and strengthen their relationship with Christ so they can share the gospel and be a light. Incredible. One of the guys was saying that a few days before the camp began and before he had met Pastor Ryan he had a dream of him preaching at the camp wearing exactly what he was wearing the first night and he looked exactly the way that he looks, but when he was preaching everything around him began to disappear. Another guy had a vision of Jesus walking around the camp praying over all of the cabins and the youth. So one night down and the Lord has already been moving and doing so much in the hearts of these kids!! We are ecstatic about being here and being a part of something so big, because these youth are going to change the nation of Greece! You can count on it.
As the week continues, the morning bell rings and everyone rolls out of their bunks. The morning comes quick, but the appetite comes even quicker. As the cabin doors open up along the hillside I can’t help but think of how good God is. Little did we know before we arrived, we had all been assigned a cabin with the youth. We had just enough of us to make sure that every cabin had a leader to be responsible for them each day. Only God could have orchestrated such a perfect union of leaders and youth. He knew. But then, it’s not surprise as God has already met us in marvelous and miraculous ways even before we set foot on the plane. Last night’s breakthrough was off the charts and even in a days’ time deep connections are being made with the youth and friendships are budding. Again God is so good. No matter where you are in the planet, having Christ in common, openness and transparency come easily with each other and friendships establish at the speed of God, ha! Worship with the youth is incredible. Their prayers are powerful and they have a sincere expectation that God is going to be present in the worship. His presence indeed is felt quite strongly. Not to mention it’s been amazing to worship alongside them on stage and sing in Greek with the leaders and youth. Some of the worship preplanning came in quite handy, but we’re still having to learn new songs before each service. Their worship leader Kristina is a mighty warrior of the Lord and quickly sets the band at ease by spending time with each of us to go over the chords and arrangements. This all happens in about 10-15 minutes, but it all works out. Ryan preaches with the passion we’ve all come to know and love and leaves the camp with food for thought as we enjoy the rest of the afternoon. Rock climbing, archery, cards, trampoline…and the Athens renowned (drum roll please) banana boat ride!! Through donations from other various U.S. camps, this camp boasts the only boat rides in all of Greece. The kids love it (ok, we’ve got perma-smiles as well) and have the best time actually falling off the boat. Mike Bibeau soon found out that the last seat is the most dangerous as all the kids fall backwards and pile on him. He got kicked in the throat and has been speaking with the tone of a 65 year old all day. Lunch and dinner pass and the evening begins. A highlight of the evening was recognizing what we knowingly or unknowingly put before Christ and were challenged to lay it down at the alter of surrender. Many of us laid down our passions and pursuits and confessed Christ as our primary goal and committed everything to surrender around Him. Many of our fears were challenged in how this might affect our lives, but we know that God has the absolute best plans for us and that no matter what it is He has for us, it’s better than anything we could ever pursue. Not to mention God so often aligns our gifts and passions with His heart and works ALL things together for those who love Him and are called according to His purposes, amen?! We are all ears and all eyes Lord. Have Your way in us!
Everyday has been filled with passion, fun, growing, learning and a hunger to know Christ more and more. Our friendships by now have blossomed so much, we couldn’t imagine having to say goodbye. Even with a language barrier with some of the kids, we just love each other and laugh and hug, it is so special!
Pastor George spoke a couple mornings about how to read the bible. He had us write down 7 questions and break off into groups to discuss the questions about Matthew 9. We shared our answers and learned an awesome way to read the bible and understand deeper what a specific passage was about and how it applies to our lives today. He had us picture in our heads what the story was like and being in it, the emotions, the environment, the people, the expression. It really helps put words into perspective.
One morning we all got into groups of about 3 or 4, girls with girls and guys with guys. We all shared our testimonies and how we came to know Christ, our struggles, our victories and how radical God can change our lives for the better!!! There were tears shed and smiles as we opened our hearts and learned more about each other.
Adam had given a special testimony one evening about his journey with the Lord and how he had to lay it all down before God would open the floodgates of heaven in His life. Money, fame, security, career, everything.. It spoke greatly to the youth at camp and hopefully through his testimony will secure their future decisions in life with wisdom and the truth of God’s word. I’m reminded with a smile that our identity is solely in Christ and not in what we make of ourselves or our behavior. Christ’s love has nothing to do with what we do, or how we perform in life. His love is unconditional, and strong!!
Thursday was all about the signs of the times and Revelations. We played a game called “A City Without God” where we were on certain teams; the Christians, the atheists, the secret police, and regular police. The purpose was to rat out the Christians and put them in prison. You could convert to a Christian. There were many that went to prison for their faith and many that sent them there. We took it serious and converted to Christianity, but never went to prison. It was fun and eye opening. By that night we had worship and watched Left Behind.
The food is so incredibly amazing in Greece, and my favorite part about it is that most of it is healthy!! Most of our plates were empty afterwards. The women that made the food were so sweet! Each cabin had chores to do every day. There was dish washing, cleaning toilets, serving food, and clearing tables. We all did our chores every day after lunch with humble hearts and smiles, knowing what an amazing privilege it is to be at this camp, serving the youth and the Lord!
After each morning session, our team had a meeting about what the Lord has been doing in just 24 hours. Every meeting we had tons of things to share about kids surrendering things in their lives, breakthrough, prayer, prophecy about one of them becoming a pastor, physical healing and lives changed for the kingdom!
We have been forever changed! These kids’ hearts and their ability to love so big and be fearless WILL change Greece. They are their nation’s next generation and God will use them mightily to sweep their nation onto their knees. We are so beyond blessed to be a part of it and can’t wait to watch them grow into men and woman and get married and have families and change the world!
On our way to Skorponeria
Our camp
We had to take a boat to the camp!!
Our cabins that slept 6
Pastor George and his wife
The sweet ladies that prepared our meals everyday
Oh banana boat!!!
The goats that we woke up to every morning.
The famous Nescafe Frappe!!!
Worship was so much fun!!
Team meeting
Our sinking kayake
Praying in the water at Skorponeria
We will never forget all the memories we made here and the power of God through this camp and youth!!!!
